9 April 2023
The 2023 Skonk Nicholson Rugby Festival wrapped up in perfect weather for the game on Saturday at Maritzburg College, with the host school’s under-14 and under-16 teams completing the event with clean records.
There were plenty of people in attendance, including many staff from College, among them the Headmaster Chris Luman, who had come out to support the boys as they ran out for the last of their three matches. The under-16s had to battle hard for a 19-12 victory over a strong team from Die Brandwag, but the under-14s ran away to a 70-12 win against Sasolburg.
Results, though, were really not what the festival was about, explained the Tournament Director, Liam Smorfitt: “It’s about the boys coming down, and it’s almost like a pre-season festival, about getting game time, and the boys having a lot of fun.”
Also, he added, having festivals for the younger age groups – there are plenty of 1st XV events – is important for the future of the game. “It promotes the younger age groups, and gets more kids involved, to enjoy days like we have had today, where the weather has been great, and the rugby has been nice and competitive,” he said.
The 1st XV, though, does have a big role to play in acting as role models for the younger boys, he added, saying Sasha Kadira and company’s recent sterling performance against Grey College, in which they gave the Free State powerhouse all they could handle, had been well received: “It was a great boost. We had all of the boys watching the game, and I definitely think it put a bit of fight into the boys when they came in and played here. It was a huge effort from our 1st XV. It was fantastic to see.”
A legendary coach and career
The Skonk Nicholson Festival is named after one of the most legendary schoolboy rugby coaches in the history of South Africa. He served as the 1st XV coach of Maritzburg College for 35 seasons and led the school to extraordinary success. In 504 matches, they won 403 times, drew 49 games and lost just 52 times. That’s fewer than two losses per season!
Ironically, Skonk Nicholson was a former Head Boy of DHS, Maritzburg College’s long-time greatest rivals.
When he retired in 1982, the Nicholson Arch was erected next to Goldstone’s, College’s main rugby field. Now, when the Maritzburg College 1st XV run onto the ground, each member of the side touches the arch to show their respect for the great man’s never-to-be-forgotten contribution to the school.
Had he still been alive, he would surely have given his seal of approval to the festival that carries his name. The event had a family-type atmosphere to it. In fact, on good Friday, boys and supporters from two of the schools held a braai on Goldstone’s, which drew about 150 people. It’s that spirit that makes rugby such a South African favourite.
Event organiser Liam Smorfitt said the Skonk Nicholson Festival plays a crucial role in developing relationships and rugby: “It is important that the boys get to play teams from other parts of the country. This is why we have this tournament, and why we try to get schools from outside of KZN.
“With the fixtures, we have tried to set them up where, for example, the Durban schools play schools from the interior to give them the experience of facing other opponents. That’s why the tournament is so important for rugby as this level.”
Good exposure
Pinnacle Schools took in the Maritzburg College under-14s last match against Sasolburg, which College won going away. Afterwards, the team’s coach, Wian du Plessis, echoed Smorfitt’s thoughts. “It’s good exposure for our boys,” he said. “We always want to give them the maximum exposure, by playing in the top festivals and playing against the best possible opposition.”
Festival rugby also helps teams to bond, he continued: “The tournament has helped us build a team culture. We played two games before the festival, and we can now reap the rewards.
“It has been very positive, very successful. We have a nice team culture going, and the guys have shown a lot of character, especially in the last two games. We’re very happy about that.”
Heart-warming
At the completion of their game, it was heart-warming to see Du Plessis thank each of his players, give them a hug, and then see the Headmaster, Chris Luman, informally dressed in College attire, shake each player’s hand and share some kind words with them. School is, after all, about education, and encouragement is an immensely powerful force.
Among the other KZN schools, Kearsney shone in the under-14 section. They appear to have a team to be reckoned with. Wins over Garsfontein, Dr EG Jansen and Pretoria Boys’ High take some doing. Westville also beat Garsfontein and Pretoria Boys’ High, but they were surprisingly held to a draw by Dr EG Jansen on the last day.
After a tough opening day, the Saint Charles under-16 side turned their fortunes around and scored a memorable win over HTS Middelburg on Saturday in a back-and-forth tussle, while Michaelhouse showed their rugby is strong throughout all age groups this year.
Results
U16
Day one
Sasolburg 0-61 HTS Middelburg
EG Jansen 24-19 Michaelhouse
Kearsney 7-22 Garsfontein
Saint Charles 5-58 Brandwag
Zwartkop 8-36 Maritzburg College
Day two
Sasolburg 3-50 Michaelhouse
Zwartkop 28-26 Saint Charles
EG Jansen 22-23 HTS Middelburg
Garsfontein 5-23 Maritzburg College
Kearsney 17-31 Brandwag
Day three
Zwartkop 50-5 Sasolburg
EG Jansen 25-22 Kearsney
Saint Charles 29-24 HTS Middelburg
Garsfontein 22-22 Michaelhouse
Maritzburg College 19-12 Brandwag
u14
Day one
EG Jansen 22-31 Michaelhouse
Kearsney 14-10 Garsfontein
Zwartkop 12-22 Maritzburg College
Sasolburg 26-41 Saint Charles
Westville 20-10 Pretoria Boys’ High
Day two
Zwartkop 15-29 Westville
Sasolburg 0-50 Michaelhouse
Kearsney 42-5 EG Jansen
Saint Charles 8-12 Pretoria Boys’ High
Garsfontein 7-15 Maritzburg College
Day three
Pretoria Boys’ High 5-19 Kearsney
Saint Charles 10-10 Zwartkop
EG Jansen 3-3 Westville
Maritzburg College 70-12 Sasolburg
Garsfontein 20-13 Michaelhouse
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