Maritzburg College under head coach Tim Orchard are on fire in this the third term of 2023. They now hope to end their season by claiming a unique double against Glenwood.
There has been zero stability in the head coaching position on Goldstones for well over a decade now but thankfully at the moment the powers that be are backing Orch and he is getting the job done beautifully, with his boys being give licence to thrill. New introduction Hendre Marnitz as Director of Rugby has also done well.
They are averaging 42-points per game in term 3 and 33-points per game for the entire season.
All-in-all it has been a great season. Putting 50-points past Affies at Affies stands out as the defining peak of their form. During the second term they also gave Grey College gears losing 24-37 in a very commendable performance.
The other big plus was the ending of a streak dating back to 2010 that had Glenwood boy merrily claiming Goldstones to be their own with the traditional “Greenstones” fun chant. This first Red, Black, White win against the Grasshoppers on home soil in 13-years came via an emphatic 42-15 victory in early May 2023.
However Glenwood still have one significant bragging right left – The Double. The last time College achieved the double over Glenwood was way back in 2005 – 18 years ago. During that time the Green Machine has recorded no fewer than eight doubles over College – 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019 and 2022. There were only single interschools fixtures in 2015, 2016 and 2017. 2012 was the closest College come since 2005 with two draws being recorded during that season.
Breaking that streak in 2023 would certainly go down well at 51 College Road.
Skonk would have been proud as College are unbeaten on Goldstones in 2023. Away from home during this season there have really only been four lows:
- The battle to stay loyal to the all-round educational experience by respecting the end of the summer sport season meant College were undercooked for their season opener away to Michaelhouse and they paid the price for it. In hindsight this hard fought victory provided vital for House who would go on to be the unofficial champions of KZN for 2023, having only lost one local match.
- One week later, the talented young referee unfortunately missed a clear-cut try late on that would have earned College a well-deserved away draw against an in-from Durban High School on Van Heerden’s Field.
- Against Stellenberg at Wildeklawer in Kimberley, College were just outclassed by Divan Batt’s Cape boys who know how to mix it with big boys and produced one of their best attacking performances of 2023.
- The lowest point was the let down at Gilfillan where College just could not gain a foothold in the first half and were soundly beaten by an overachieving character driven Hilton side that also did extremely well in 2023.
The key to success has been the outstanding pack forwards well led by Zimbabwean born No.8 Sasha Kadira. The tight-five have been particularly good. For the season ending match on Glenwood’s Dixon’s Field, the visitors will be without 125kg loose-head prop Phiwayinkosi Kubeka who is on SA u18 national duty along with exciting fullback Luyanda Kunene. The backs have enjoyed the front-foot ball generated for them and used it well. Just about all of them aside from Kunene who made SA Schools, can regard themselves as underrated players this year.
Two tries from Glenwood last 5 minutes, but app gives score wrong, withe final try with time out. Then people running on the field … Did not watch all of it, but Green seems to have won
Whatttt happeneddd ??
Chaos at the end of the match, believe that was a comeback for the ages, or not?
@Skywalker: completely agree and the reason why Glenwood have been competitive in the past 100 year, big packs. I think that is why we battled a bit this year, one of the smaller packs in years. In the 90’s we got pumped because of small packs. In 92 we had a huge front row and the reason we were competitive.
Good to have College back on top form.
This may be an obvious point, but having a big pack of forwards is so key to success in rugby. We all know without a great tight 5 and a strong pack you will struggle, no matter how good your backs are. Seems like the KZN teams have finally realised this. Think back on the recent Hilton teams who have done so well – big packs, the likes of Snyman, Bester, Potgieter, Dyer etc…DHS the same over the last 2 years and previously when they did well in 2017/2018 – big locks, props and flanks; Kearsney back with Ayron Schramm, and the Du Preez twins; College now the same, and this 2023 Michaelhouse team – massive front row, Mlaba at 8, their number 7 as well – all big boys! Even the Northwood team of 2019 who only lost to Hiton in KZN that year – 5 of the 8 forwards made Craven Week that year. Thats what you need to succeed. Quite simple really.
I know coaching is key, and obviously you then need great backs to execute, and any X-factor players in the backline turn you into a Top 10 ranked school, but withouth a sizeable pack you are not going to win much.
Good read as always, but College focused. Guessing Glenwood will be without their SA schools prop too. Hoping to boys in green can finally play to their potential and shock College on the day. Glenwood will need to build a bigger BE to be competitive with College going forward.