Sports Overview: February 2026

February was an exhilarating month of sporting excellence at Maritzburg College, with boys across all codes delivering performances marked by grit, teamwork, discipline and true RedBlackWhite spirit. From tournament titles to record‑breaking athletics achievements, dramatic match finishes and podium places on river, road and trail, College athletes showcased impressive depth and pride in every arena.

College basketball enjoyed one of its strongest months in recent history.
The month opened with a remarkable clean sweep against Clifton, where College won all 17 fixtures, highlighted by a dominant 84–21 victory for the 1st team. Across further fixtures against Northwood and Etham, teams produced 25 wins from 27 matches, confirming exceptional programme depth.Mid‑month, the 1st team delivered another superb showing, defeating DHS 81–70 in a high‑tempo, high‑scoring clash powered by standout scoring from M. Ntlakana (21), N. Mbele (17), and W. Makhanda (14).The crowning moment came at the Jenny Orchard Invitational (JOI) in late February, where the 1st team produced an unforgettable comeback from 20 points down to beat ECSA 64–55 and lift the Division A title.

The 2nd team also shone, winning the St John’s Division B Championship, while the 3rd team and 15A squad recorded strong results at their tournaments, reflecting powerful depth across the age groups.

February brought high drama and superb skill across the cricket programme.
The 1st XI opened the month with a thrilling one‑wicket win over Clifton, clinching victory with a six off the final ball courtesy of Venter—after crucial knocks from Sura (62) and Bharath (57) and a strong 4/42 spell from de Bruyn.
Consistent excellence followed across the age groups:

• 2nd XI: A steady 5‑wicket win, anchored by contributions from Somerset (39) and Thornbury (36).
• 3rd XI: A clinical 6‑wicket win over Curro Hillcrest with disciplined bowling from Schoeman (3/16) and Dunne (3/29).
• 14A: A massive 348/8 innings led by Johnson (71) and Royston (52) highlighted the junior depth.
• Against DHS later in the month, College again impressed, with the 2nd XI winning by 115 runs and the 15A side achieving a commanding 10‑wicket victory.

While the Clifton T20 Festival brought tough competition, the fixtures offered valuable learning and development for the senior squad.

College water polo teams demonstrated resilience throughout February, facing top opposition while delivering several strong results.
Early in the month, the programme produced 4 wins, 2 draws and 4 losses against a powerful Clifton setup, with the 5th team’s 9–4 win standing out as a highlight.Mid‑month fixtures against DHS were particularly impressive:

• 1st team: A clinical 14–9 victory
• 2nd team: A composed 7–2 win
• 3rd team: A strong 9–2 performance
• U14A/B: Dominant 17–1 and 16–0 victories

At national festivals, College’s teams also showcased their mettle. The 2nd team claimed 6th place at the PBHS 125 Festival, while the 1st team finished 8th with several narrow losses against top‑tier opponents.

The 15A squad rounded off the month with determined performances at the Dallas Hutton Festival, securing wins over Curro and an Invitational side.

College’s athletes asserted their dominance throughout February, winning multiple aQuellé Series meets.In the first two meetings of the month, College finished 1st overall, achieving:

• 9 first places, 5 seconds, 7 thirds at the 2nd Series meet, with standout record‑breaking performances from
  • Shahaan Smail (U17 800m – new record)
  • Caleb Sweetnam (U19 Javelin – new record)
• At the 3rd Series meet, College again took 1st place, securing 6 firsts, 7 seconds, and 7 thirds, with Braydon Cassels and Theo Boshoff named age‑group champions.
• At the 4th Series event, victories continued across sprints, throws and jumps, with standout wins from Bottcher, Jansen, Scheepers and Sweetnam. Sibongakonke Ngubane was named U15 Champion Athlete, underscoring College’s exceptional talent development.

College paddlers had a spectacular February,  both in Dusi build‑up races and at the Dusi itself.
Early‑month racing saw College secure podium finishes:

• U18 Pre‑Dusi:
  • 2nd: James Gotte & partner
  • 3rd: Nathan Curry & Josh Worthmann
  • 5th: Joshua Craig & Matt Rawson

The Dusi Canoe Marathon brought history and celebration:

• Old Boy Andy Birkett won his 16th Dusi title, adding to the legacy of College excellence.
• College achieved 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th places in the U18 category.
• College secured the Dusi Schools Trophy, with standout combinations including
  • Curry & Worthmann
  • Rawson & Craig
• Coach Bridgitte Hartley finished 5th in the Ladies race and 1st in Veterans

Cycling results were consistently strong:

• Free State & KZN XCO #1: Kayden Searle placed 4th, just three seconds behind the winner.
• Illovo Wartburg Classic:
  • 60km Junior Men: Searle 3rd, Fourie 8th
  • 25km Junior Men: Khumalo 2nd
  • Youth categories also produced multiple top‑10 finishes.

From the courts to the river, from the track to the cricket fields, February showcased the unshakeable spirit, resilience and competitive excellence of Maritzburg College athletes. With major tournament titles, record-breaking performances and impressive team depth on display, the month stands as a powerful testament to the strength of College sport. The boys and coaches can take immense pride in their achievements as they carry this momentum forward into the next phase of the season.