With a wide selection of sports to choose from, there is a place for every boy, no matter what their level of skill, interest, or objective may be. Sport builds confidence, self-esteem, teamwork, and a sense of belonging – and is fundamental to the emotional, social, and physical development of boys.
At College, there are opportunities across a large number of official sports, both team-based and individual, as well as a number of ‘unofficial’ sports and disciplines, like the intricacies of rugby refereeing, for boys to enjoy. Each of these sports is taught by passionate coaches who bring experience and insight to the sports field.
The sports field is a place where meaningful life lessons are learned and character is developed. Through sport, a boy will learn to win and to lose; to know when to strive for more and when to be gracious in defeat; to push himself; to lead as well as to be led; to think as a member of a team; to adapt and to co-operate.
We are also extremely fortunate to have many extra sporting facilities adjacent to our school including the Natal Canoe Club on the banks of the Dusi River, a ten-lane tartan athletics track, the Harry Gwala Soccer Stadium, the Alexandra Park Cricket Oval and the Velodrome cycling track. Our boys enjoy the use of all of these facilities as well as our substantial on-campus facilities.
Our high-end on-site sporting facilities are emblematic of College’s commitment to sporting excellence. Our location also means we are ideally situated adjacent to the Natal Canoe Club on the banks of the Dusi River, a ten-lane tartan athletics track, Harry Gwala Stadium, Alexandra Park Cricket Oval and Velodrome cycling track.
Many professional sportsmen played school sport on the fields at Maritzburg College. With 15 Springbok caps and many regional and district representatives, the success of our Old Boys in sport can be ascribed to our unwavering coaching standards and strong sporting culture.
Match days and friendlies have been a source of anticipation and excitement across generations of boys at Maritzburg College. The competitiveness of these events inspires growth within the sport. Follow the latest sporting updates for boys, parents, and Old Boys with our consistently updated calendars and results.
Maritzburg College has a rich rugby history extending back to 1870 when College played their first ever schoolboy rugby game against Hermannsberg. Today, as many as thirty teams take the field every weekend, playing the game with enthusiasm and pride. The school’s rugby success is built on a firm and broad foundation – one which has seen an Old Collegiate in every World Cup winning squad.
Most notable amongst College players is the fierce determination and spirit typifying College teams and imbuing them with an indomitable will to win.
Boys are exposed to the latest coaching methods, well-trained coaches, and full-time High Performance support staff. This team puts boys on to a training programme for proper pre-season and in-season conditioning, ensuring that they are in peak physical condition. On-site physiotherapists also implement effective rehabilitation programmes to secure speedy and full recovery from injury.
Our rugby coaches regularly attend coaching courses. Internal coaching courses are also conducted and outside specialists are regularly brought in to address coaches on specific issues – from rugby, fitness, conditioning and nutrition to refereeing. This equips coaches with the ability to conduct well-planned practices and fulfil a mentorship role in each boy’s life.
College rugby kit is sponsored by Gilbert and Thirsti are the main name sponsor on our jerseys.
Director of Rugby: Mr Hein Kriek
The very game of cricket and the spirit in which it ought to be played ties into the Maritzburg College core values and aids the development of young men into all-round gentlemen.
Cricket at College has been played for over 150 years and has played an integral part of College’s culture and ethos. In that time, many provincial and international representatives have developed a love of the game on the Goldstone’s cricket oval.
Extensive, top-level facilities and highly trained staff give the boys a firm grounding for growing their game. They are also given many opportunities many opportunities to test their skills against rival schools. This plays a role in boys’ social growth through sport and takes their cricket to the next level, creating a lifelong interest in the sport.
Director of Cricket: Mr Kyle Nipper
Our mission is for all hockey players to develop a passion for the game that will inspire them to play long after they leave school. We have long set the benchmark in South Africa through our coaching structures, coupled with our progressive and innovative strength and conditioning.
College has earned 103 SA U18 caps, including 8 captains, with 34 Old Boys picked to play for the South African Men’s Hockey Team. We provide expert coaching in outstanding facilities. Robin Jones (Director of Hockey) is a former indoor and outdoor international player, a member of the junior national coaching setup, and a national u21 men’s selector. Our A-level coaches, Kyle Emerson and Brandon Swart, have coached at provincial A level for numerous years, producing countless national selections.
Director of Hockey: Mr Robin Jones
MIC: Mr Kyle Emerson
For many boys at Maritzburg College, soccer is their winter sport of choice. Our players benefit from the camaraderie and values of sportsmanship that are inherent in the beautiful game.
Soccer achieved prominence at Maritzburg College in the early 1880s. Today, it has risen to become one of the most popular sports in the school and many players have gone on to achieve higher honours, with College boys featuring regularly in both district and provincial teams. Mr Nic Haswell (OC 1997) joined as Director of Soccer in 2021 and, under his leadership, the sport continues to grow to even greater heights.
Maritzburg College has proudly produced many professional players.
Director of Soccer: Mr Nic Haswell
MIC: Mr Mike Dibben
Waterpolo has become a favourite summer sport for boys at College. It is a great all-round sport that helps with strength, stamina, hand-eye co-ordination, and teamwork. Maritzburg College put out no fewer than six open teams, three u15 teams, and three u14 teams each year. As the sport grows, the demand for more teams does as well.
Our facilities are top-class and our water polo pool is heated, which allows our players to enjoy a good pre-season in the cold Maritzburg winter months. This gives our players the means to ensure that they perform at their best in the pool. Boys enjoy two pool sessions and two gym sessions to get them ready for fixtures.
Director of Waterpolo: Mr Darren Sheriff
Basketball is played as a summer sport in the first and fourth terms of the year. Many of the College boys choose to play basketball as it assists with fitness, speed, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness in preparation for the winter sports.
Maritzburg College is fortunate to have a modern indoor centre with two courts and three outdoor courts where our boys benefit from excellent coaching. Players compete regularly in inter-school fixtures, as well as provincial tournaments where they come up against teams from Southern African regions. Players are regularly are selected for the KZN team. As long as there are hoops, the College players will keep shooting.
Director of Basketball: Mr Suwi Siwila
MIC: Ms Nolwazi Ngcobo
