The 2023 Chronicle

RUGBY Back Row: Ayabonga Mkhokeli, Jordyn Kleynhans, Wandile Mlaba, Luke Jankowitz, Michael Thornton, Thomas Mitchell Third Row: Leo Muziva, Tristan Ardé, Mr Ross Dubazana, Luke Davidson, Carlyle Hawkins Second Row: Joshua Aissing, Graham Wynne, Aphiwe Shelembe, Ayandiswa Buthelezi, Jack Hughes, Tomas Baguley Bonsma Front Row (seated): Campbell Ridl, Mr JP Olivier, Fortune Mpofu, Mr James Fleming, Murray Baker, Mr David Pachonick, Thabo Njapha

Leo Muziva scored a brace and Luke Davidson, Murray Baker and Wandile Mlaba each got on the scoresheet.

Fortune Mpofu and winger Leo Muziva, drawing level at 20-20 with a few minutes to play. Mr Dubazana’s preseason work with the team showed as we finished strong, and our elusive outside centre Campbell Ridl jinxed and dived over the line to score the winning try, which Luke Davidson converted. It was a remarkable 27-20 win, one that gave the team confidence for the rest of the season. The disappointment of the day was losing Tom Mitchell for the season after a shoulder injury. The squad regathered at St Stithians after the Sevens team had returned from their UK tour and had only a captain’s practice to prepare for their opening game against St Andrew’s. There was extra interest in the game as it was 100 years since the two schools had first met and we were playing for the Currey-Clark Cup, named after the two men who had both been headmasters of St Andrew’s and rectors of Michaelhouse: Ronald Currey and Antony Clark. We initially battled to fire and trailed 7-15 before bouncing back to win 29-22, with Murray Baker, Campbell Ridl and Leo Muziva scoring fantastic tries.

St Alban’s were our final opponents on the Monday, and we produced our best rugby of the festival. Leo Muziva continued to wreak havoc with his speed, and Luthando Buthelezi rounded off a great phase of play and wonderful handling to dot down. Campbell Ridl and Wandile Mlaba showed off their strike power by scoring two tries apiece. The festival had been an enjoyable and successful one for the team, allowing us to have a look at some different combinations and express ourselves on attack. The experience gained from the Rugby School Sevens tournament had clearly played a huge role in developing the team and was invaluable. And so, we looked forward to returning to school and the second term. Our first game of the second suarter was Glenwood at home. The team felt refreshed and could not wait to get back on to the field. For the first time in the season, they came out firing and raced out into a 31-0 half-time lead including a hat-trick by our in the

Clifton College were our opponents on the Easter Saturday. We rotated the starting team, finding a little rhythm to win 37 -21.

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