A stiff challenge awaits talented Rondebosch Boys’ High in 2026

In recent years, Rondebosch Boys’ High has been a strong force in schoolboy rugby.

They started last season like a house on fire, defeating Oakdale Landbou, who went on to enjoy a special season, 10-7 at the Wynberg Rugby Festival.

‘Bosch captain Josh Neill was selected for the SA Schools‘ side for a second successive season. Randall-John Davids, Ismaeel Conrad, Bulela Mbala, and Matthew van der Merwe joined him in the Western Province Craven Week-winning team, and Lisekhonikamva Zola, Shellvon Mabooi, and David Kadima ran out for the Western Province XV.

In 2026, the Rondebosch rugby pantry remains stocked with talented players. “We have Finn Watermeyer (10 1st XV caps in 2025), Kwaza Gabinga (Grant Khomo captain in 2024), Anessu Muswandigere (Grant Khomo 2024), Bertus Versfeld (18 1st XV caps), Ethan Williams (Academy Week 2025), Caleb Bell (Academy Week 2025), and Shelvon Mabooi,” Head Coach Clinton van Rensburg told SuperSport Schools Plus.

Van Rensburg’s coaching team includes forwards’ coach Joel Carew, backs’ coach Asi Molatana, defence coach Charlie Post, strength and conditioning coach Rikus van der Sandt, head physio Jamie King, and manager Trevor Edward.

He said the school’s growing rugby culture is reflected in some of the parents: “We are fortunate to have notable figures in SA rugby with boys in the school, such as Rian Oberholzer – CEO of SA Rugby, Clint Readhead – Head of Medical in SA Rugby, and Ashwin Willemse – former World Cup Winning Springbok.”

André Ross, the chairman of the Rondebosch Old Boys’ Union, shared the importance of the Bish-Bosch derby with SuperSport Schools Plus: “The two annual Bish-Bosch derbies are the biggest and most eagerly anticipated events of the year.

“Although the Rondebosch 1st XV mostly plays in blue against other opposition, when they run through the schoolboy tunnel onto the Tinkie Heyns Field for the home derby, they are kitted in white jerseys and Bishops in blue.

“A cherished and highly respected tradition, [these matches are] the highlight of a ‘Bosch boy’s rugby career.

“A whopping 206 matches have been played between these two great schools’ 1st XVs, with Rondebosch winning 86 times and drawing 19 times. In recent times, eight of the last 10 encounters have been won by Rondebosch.”

Like the other southern suburbs coaches, Van Rensburg said the local derbies are especially significant games for ‘Bosch: “Every match for Rondebosch is a massive challenge. Playing in the strongest schoolboy league in the world against SA Schools’ rugby powerhouses week in and week out remains a challenge that we are committed to, but it is tough.

“There are many schools in the province, besides the rugby powerhouses, who are driving their rugby programmes on the fertile grounds of Afrikaans schoolboy rugby culture.

“We always look forward to our southern suburbs’ derbies, which come with their own unique challenges and pressures. The level of rugby in the southern suburbs has risen tremendously.”

With another daunting fixture list in 2026, Rondebosch has an opportunity to prove, again, that it possesses one of the best South African schoolboy rugby 1st XVs.

Rondebosch Boys’ High Fixtures 2026

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Marlowe Bloem

Marlowe is a sports & creative writer from Durban, Kwazulu-Natal. Writing mainly for rugby & cricket, Marlowe enjoys watching and taking part in a multitude of sports, from soccer to athletics. In his spare time, he enjoys listening to music of all genres, reading literary fiction, and playing sports with friends and family.

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