St Andrew’s goes back to its roots to celebrate 125-year-old milestone

In the heart of the Eastern Cape, in Makhanda, St Andrew’s College will be celebrating 125 years of playing rugby on Lower Field, when they take on one of their longstanding rivals, Graeme College, on Saturday.

In the very first fixture between the schools, played in September 1886, Graeme College (formerly Grahamstown Public School) won. The rivalry has since gone from strength to strength.

Mutual respect has been built up over the years and it will again be to the fore when the teams run out onto the hallowed turf of Lower Field at 15:30.

Catch all the action live on Channel 216 or SuperSport Schools (www.supersportschools.com)

To celebrate the 125-year milestone, St Andrew’s College will be donning a vintage kit as worn by the team between 1887-1904 in a nod to their proud and longstanding history as one of South Africa’s premier schools. The three stripes, which today represent the College 1st XV, were first introduced on 27 April. 1904

Three distinct iterations of the St Andrew’s College 1st XV jersey exist. The original jersey, adorned with thin navy and light blue stripes, was worn until 1887 and resembles the current school jersey worn across all College and Prep teams. On Saturday, supporters will see the boys sporting a fresh look.

St Andrew’s College last played a match on 30 March at the Saints Easter Festival, where they went down 15-34 to Michaelhouse in the battle for the Currey-Clark Cup. They had fallen 14-27 to St Stithians on the opening day of the event.

Graeme College is fresh off a big 38-point win over Hudson Park last weekend and has named an unchanged starting XV for Saturday’s showdown.

Fullback Cameron Doyle has been one of Graeme College’s standout performers this season. He shone at the St John’s Easter Rugby Festival, where he scored a hattrick of tries in a 50-10 defeat of St Benedict’s College.

St Andrew’s fullback Karabo van Heerden has also enjoyed a strong season and performed well at the Saints Sports Festival. The contributions of the two number 15s could be key to the outcome of the Makhanda derby.

Last year when they clashed, with just two minutes remaining on the clock, the score stood at 23-17 in Graeme’s favour. St Andrew’s, however, scored a late try by Daniel Hickey, which was converted, to snatch a nail-biting 24-23 win.

Back in 2022, in a very cold, wet and muddy affair, Graeme College came away with an 11-5 victory in a low scoring but entertaining game.

Both schools have produced renowned players over the years. Graeme’s Hennie le Roux ran out at centre for South Africa in the 1995 Rugby World Cup final and was the founder and president of the first players’ union in 1997.

St Andrew’s College boasts among its past pupils former Springbok and Springbok coach Nick Mallet. Their other Springboks include, among others, Frank Douglass, Fanie Cronje, Jackie Powell, Jack Dold, Daantjie van de Vyver, Russell Bennett and Ryan Kankowski.

The stage is set, the teams are ready, and history will be remembered and made when St Andrew’s College and Graeme College collide on Saturday.

Teams

St Andrew’s College: 15 Karabo Van Heerden, 14 Aza Nonxube, 13 ⁠Nic Hall, 12 Aphindile Ncuka, 11 ⁠Julian Mapoore, 10 ⁠Oli Johns, 9 Will Stern, 8 Murray Wilson, 7 ⁠Guy Fraser, 6 Philipp Maske, 5 Roman Van Zyl, 4 Rob Faber, 3 Thatao Machaba, 2 Joe Wostenholm, 1 Mark Were.

Graeme College: 15 Cameron Doyle, 14 Emihle Sukula, 13 Ashton Williams, 12 Xolisa Mdyesha, 11 Inathi Planga, 10 Marcus Williams, 9 Kevin Bodie 8 Ayamila Bill, 7 Liyema Mbatyotyi, 6 Fumani Baloyi, 5 Ayola Mali, 4 Mikhulu Yolani, 3 Byron Hunter, 2 Lebo Mahasele, 1 Avuyile Helesi.

Fixtures

U14A: 8:30 – St Andrew’s College vs Graeme College
U15A: 9:30 – St Andrew’s College vs Graeme College
U16A: 10:30 – St Andrew’s College vs Graeme College
U19D: 11:45 – St Andrew’s College vs Graeme College
U19C: 13:00 – St Andrew’s College vs Graeme College
U19B 14:15 – St Andrew’s College vs Graeme College
U19A: 15:30 – St Andrew’s College vs Graeme College