Maritzburg College recently participated in several holiday fixtures, providing students with valuable opportunities to compete against top school teams. The college's first XI cricket team wrapped up the 66th Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week with four competitive matches against leading school cricket teams in South Africa. Although the team did not secure a victory in any of the matches, the experience allowed players to test themselves against quality opposition and gain valuable experience in pressure situations.
In addition to the cricket week, Maritzburg College's Under-14 water polo team demonstrated exceptional skill at the Hilton College Tournament. The team secured a convincing 13-5 victory over Westville before suffering defeats against KES and Paul Roos in the Cup section. However, they responded well in the Plate competition, defeating St Andrew’s 9-3 in the quarterfinal and Jeppe 10-1 in the semi-final.
The water polo team's success in the Plate competition continued as they overcame DPHS 6-3 in the final to win the Brad Anderson Plate and finish ninth overall. The team's performance was a notable achievement, showcasing their determination and skill in the tournament. The college's water polo team played a total of six matches, winning four and losing two.
The 66th Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week was a significant event for Maritzburg College, offering more than just competitive matches. The festival provided a platform for young cricketers to challenge themselves, build relationships with fellow players, and experience one of the highlights of the South African school cricket calendar. The college community came together to support the team, creating an electric atmosphere that reflected the pride and tradition associated with the event.
Maritzburg College expressed gratitude to the visiting teams that traveled to Pietermaritzburg and contributed to a memorable week of schoolboy cricket. The college also extended its appreciation to the sponsors and partners of the Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week, including New Balance, Granny Mac’s, J Leslie Smith Attorneys, Futurelife, Thirsti, and Riversmead, whose support made the 2026 festival possible.
New Balance, one of the sponsors, also supported the special festival awards, which recognized outstanding players. AJ de Villiers of Waterkloof was named Player of the Festival, Christian Visagie of St Alban’s was awarded Batter of the Festival, and Zizi Mkhize of Jeppe received the award for Bowler of the Festival. These awards highlighted the exceptional talent on display during the cricket week.
With the 66th Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week now complete, Maritzburg College is already looking forward to hosting teams again in Pietermaritzburg for the 67th edition in 2027. The college's teams will continue to build on their experiences and strive for success in future competitions.
Key points
- Maritzburg College's Under-14 water polo team won the Brad Anderson Plate at the Hilton College Tournament.
- The college's first XI cricket team participated in the 66th Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week.
- Maritzburg College will host the 67th Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week in 2027.
