Kearsney's Founders Weekend Rugby - Kearsney College

Kearsney’s Founders Weekend Rugby. Kearsney Clinch Dramatic Last-Minute Victory Over St Stithians on Founders Weekend. Photo: Kearsney’s Keanu Williamson heads for the try line in the last minute against St Stithians

Botha’s Hill came alive this weekend as Kearsney College hosted St Stithians in a fiercely contested rugby clash that had the Old Cricks’ terraces buzzing from the opening whistle to the dying moments.

On a crisp, clear afternoon, it was Kearsney who struck first in the third minute, with Thomas Franke stealing a St Stithians lineout and setting up an electrifying try by Bukho Hlwatika. But the visitors answered immediately, leveling the scores at 7-7 through a clever set-piece move and pinpoint conversion.

Penalties plagued Kearsney for much of the first half, costing them momentum and territory. St Stithians capitalized with a penalty goal and an unconverted try to take a 15–7 lead into halftime.

The second half, however, belonged to the drama books. Lwandle Mkhize sparked hope with a searing run to the try line in the 45th minute, with Doan Nel’s conversion narrowing the gap to 15–14. But St Stithians responded ruthlessly, pushing the score to 25–14 as time wound down.

Then came the Kearsney comeback. A smart pick-and-go powered over the line to bring the score to 25–19, but the real magic arrived in the final minute. From a blindside scrum play, Keanu Williamson and Mkhize combined brilliantly, with Williamson crashing over in the corner for a heart-stopping try.

One point adrift, and with Founders Day glory hanging in the balance, Nel stepped up to the tee. From the touchline, under immense pressure, he slotted the conversion with surgical precision—sealing an unforgettable 26–25 victory and sending the home crowd into raptures.