Eastern Cape Epic: Unbeaten St Andrew’s faces fierce Queen’s challenge
An unbeaten St Andrew’s College outfit will be attempting to do what only two other sides have achieved this season, and that is to lower the colours of the Queen’s first team in Makhanda on Saturday.
In a match which represents the longstanding tradition of Eastern Cape schoolboy rugby, the teams will square up on the Lower Field at St Andrew’s, starting at 14:30.
It has all the ingredients of a thrilling battle between two of the region’s most prominent teams, both of whom have strung together a string of impressive results this year.
Queen’s, under the captaincy of flank Jeffrey Niland, are fresh from a morale-boosting win over Dale College in Qonce, an encounter which tested their character to the full.
They eventually took control of the match in the second half, and a try in the closing minutes saw them secure a 21-13 victory.
That followed a 40-22 win over Selborne last month, making them potential kings of the Border region this season, while their only defeats have come against Pearson (20-17 at the Graeme Festival) and Rondebosch (33-0 at the KES Festival). They drew 13-13 with St Stithians at the Grey Festival.
There have also been some close finishes, but each time the Queenians have found a way to get the job done, and they will need all that resilience to subdue the St Andrew’s challenge on Lower.
The Makhanda team are missing six regulars due to the Meyer Sauerman EP trials this weekend, but their proud record in 2025 means they will be fighting every inch of the way for another victory.
One of the highlights for St Andrew’s this year came in a thrilling 34-31 win over long-standing Cape Town rivals Bishops, while they were pushed all the way in a clash with Michaelhouse, the teams eventually drawing 22-22.
Last week, St Andrew’s showed outstanding commitment on defence to hold the dangerous Graeme College side at bay for a 17-10 win, and they will need more of the same against Queen’s game-breakers such as centre Thina Fenako, pacy wing Ayathanda Mtyanda and fullback Mveli Mqolo.
If they can do that, with the home fans at their backs, St Andrew’s have the attacking nous to seriously challenge for victory in a clash which is sure to go down to the wire.
The teams:
St Andrew’s College: 15 David Chorley, 14 Asante Chivere, 13 Ali de Kock, 12 Aphindile Ngcuka, 11 Jack More, 10 Myles Sansom, 9 Connor Malan, 8 James Badenhorst, 7 Kyle Schwecheiemmer, 6 Coel Trollip, 5 Matthew Harvey, 4 William Beamish, 3 Jake Jackson, 2 Adam Nurse, 1 Amo Habi.
Queen’s College: 15 Mveli Mqolo, 14 Ayathanda Mtyando, 16 Thina Fenako, 12 Splash Magwebu, 11 Ncutu Kepe, 10 Inganathi Mnunu, 9 Ayola Somhlahlo, 8 Khaka Xoseni, 7 Acwenga Saul, 6 Jeffrey Niland (captain), 5 Sambesiwe Vetman, 4 Zeacke Mata, 3 Ahlume Gqetywa, 2 Bullz Manqina, 1 Amyoli Ngxongwana. Replacements: 17 Ntsika Boya, 18 Lihlumile Njokweni, 19 Ukhona
Klaas, 20 Kaunda Billie, 21, Sivuyile Mnyimba, 22 Akhona Mzamo, 23 Boikaho Motlohi, 24
Bongolwethu Nyakaza
Kick-Off: 14:30
