Celebrating 150 years of rugby at Maritzburg College


From 14h00 on Saturday, 8 October 1870, the first recorded 15-man rugby match in KZN was contested between teams from Hermannsburg School (founded in 1856) and the old Pietermaritzburg High School (now Maritzburg College) (founded in 1863).

In fact, there are grounds to believe that it was the first ever recorded 15-man rugby match played on the African continent.

In a hard-fought contest “of many struggles” (according to The Natal Witness), the local lads prevailed by two goals to nil against opponents who were described in The Witness report as being “heavier and larger”!

Prints of the sketched depiction of the match by talented young local artist, Ms Shannon Bennetts, are available for sale, for enthusiasts wishing to own a small slice of history.

The price is R200 per print, excluding postage of R100 for a door-to-door courier delivery (SA only).

If you are interested in ordering a print, please deposit the R200 excluding delivery in the account below and email your POP to Mrs Hayley Strachan on strachanh@mcollege.co.za.

Banking details:

Maritzburg College

Bank: FNB

Account no: 5093 5595 139

Branch: Liberty Midlands Mall, 257355

Please use WR999Z + your name as your reference.