The Graeme Rugby Festival will return to a full complement in 2026, with all the leading Eastern Cape rugby schools back on board after Kingswood’s absence from last year’s event.
As always, spectators can expect no shortage of compelling fixtures over the two days. Graeme, Nico Malan and Queen’s will each be eager to continue the momentum from a strong 2025 season, where all three sides performed above their usual standards. A Day 1 clash between Nico and Queen’s stands out as one of the festival’s most anticipated matchups, especially as the two teams did not cross paths during the past campaign.
Smaller in numbers but rich in spirit, Marlow will be hoping their team comes of age in 2026. They face a stern test in the festival’s main game on Day 2, where they take on the hosts Graeme in front of what is expected to be a big and loud home crowd for this great event.
Please note: fixtures not yet finalised
| GRAEME RUGBY FESTIVAL | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 : Fri 20-Mar-2026 | ||||||
| 09h00 | EP | Mzanzi Ac | 22-05 | PJ Olivier | EP | |
| 10h15 | EP | Woodridge | 15-14 | Mary Waters | EP | |
| 11h30 | BOR | Port Rex | 11-39 | Union | EP | |
| 12h45 | BOR | Dale | 27-24 | Brandwag (EP) | EP | |
| 14h00 | EP | Grey HS | 33-12 | Hudson Park | BOR | |
| 15h15 | BOR | Queen’s | 19-24 | Nico Malan | EP | |
| Day 2 : Sat 21-Mar-2026 | ||||||
| 08h30 | EP | Port Alfred | 17-12 | Ndzondelelo | EP | |
| 09h45 | EP | Otto du Plessis | 19-26 | Muir | EP | |
| 11h00 | EP | Daniel Pienaar | 24-24 | Stirling | BOR | |
| 12h15 | EP | Kingswood | 78-00 | Cambridge | BOR | |
| 13h30 | BOR | Selborne | 15-24 | Framesby | EP | |
| 14h45 | EP | St Andrew’s | 17-22 | Pearson | EP | |
| 16h00 | EP | Graeme | 42-28 | Marlow | EP | |
@Wyvern (Comment #19) Selborne need to offer more bursaries to U13 talent. I may be mistaken, but I believe Selborne offers very few bursaries, if any, to rugby players. The school can’t just sit by and let our best talent from our own primary school go.
@Ryan (Comment #10)
You might start nibbling at those words.
NM 26-19 Queens
NM won the /16 game as well.
Strange how there was no mention of the Nico Malan results today🏉
@Dion (Comment #18)
And rightly so. The transition from u16 to 1st XV catches a lot of good coaches out. This coaching staff have had a few years to get it right and as far as I can tell, effort is 10/10, mauls are 9/10 and that’s about it. When I think about the better Grey 1st teams – 2004, 2009, 2014, 2017 etc, they have all looked similar. A good 10 or 15 with great distribution, skilled backs, forwards with high work rate. The last few years there has been a distinct lack of good skills and an over reliance on things like the maul and box kicks. We are not Affies, Monument or Paul Roos – we cannot pretend to play like them. The future for Grey looks very bright IF we retain players right the way through, align the systems from u14 – 1st XV and play a brand of rugby that suits the natural skillset of players from the EC.
@Palma (Comment #17)
In your mind, what exactly should Selborne change in their recruitment philosophy? And do you think it’ll be enough if a school like Hilton comes knocking?
I couldn’t agree more…I also heard it could be make or break for Grey 1st team coaches…as u say Grey have had excellent junior teams recently but after that it’s been sad…let’s hope this is the year @Ryan
@Ryan (Comment #13)
I think it would be best to see how the juniors do this year to see any meaningful changes. But unless Selborne changes their recruitment philosophy we will struggle again. Spoke to a Selborne teacher last week and yet again a few boys from a talented Selborne 13A team are now at Hilton in grade 8.
We need to get over Nico Malan. Graeme rugby day is not a happy hunting ground for us and we usually a derby season team. Come College!
@Shoez@QC (Comment #11)
Agree 👍 even though QC is missing key players due to injuries. We will end top 3 this year.
@Ryan (Comment #1)
Queen’s below Kingswood? No ways
@Palma (Comment #12)
What does the future hold for Selborne now that there are some coaching changes up at the top? I hope Grey’s junior teams come through, but if the last 5 or so years are anything to go by, just having a good u16 year coming through doesn’t automatically equal success at 1st XV level. I’m unconvinced by the direction Grey 1st team has gone in the last few years and the results are telling. All I’ve heard as an excuse is that those teams were weaker at age group level and that Covid had a big effect on them. That excuse is no longer valid with the u17’s and u18’s. They’ve been good at every age group level, so this will be the credibility test for the coaching staff.
1. Grey
2. Graeme
3. Nico Malan
4. Queens
5. Framesby
6. St Andrews
7. Kingswood
8. Dale
9. Selborne
10. Marlow
This is just based on what we have seen so far. On paper I believe this is the year we start to see Grey’s strong junior teams start to have an impact in the first team.
1. Queen’s
2. Graeme
3. Grey
4. Nico Malan
5. Framseby
6. Kingswood
7. Pearson
8. St Andrews
9. Selborne
10 Dale
I actually think Queen’s will again be dominant, considering Graeme and St Andrews are playing at the REC. We should also not forget that Queen’s have a very mobile forward pack. Also have a quick and brutal backline with Kepe and Tyler, even their number 10 (Mnunu) from last year seems to be on the money in 2026.
I do however feel a Noordheuwel rugby festival for EC / KZN similar to what we had as Cape Schools would be ideal, we could even add the Souther Suburb Schools as part of the festival and it could interchange through the provinces annually. It could really make an interesting watch.
Graeme Rugby Festival will be quite a good watch, can’t wait.
@CJbbt (Comment #4)
You’re right! I think Nico Malan will end middle of the pack, but I may eat my words. It is still very early season and momentum is a funny thing. I think Graeme is a dark horse this year and if they get things right it could be a memorable season for them. On a national scale, I’d be interested to see where teams in the EC rank this year by the end of the season.
@CJbbt (Comment #6)
We’ll have a better view of Brandwag this weekend against Dale. If they win, yes they’d be in the mix too. I dont have Pearson on the list purely because they haven’t played any games yet. We’ll review the list after this weekend:)
how highly/lowly rated have you got Queens College this year ?
I personally think the centre pairing of Von Cullvitz & Kepe is defintely up there with the top bunch, but looking at the rest of the backline and the forwards (stand outs are Mata and Gqetywa) mostly looks like a transition phase for Queens this year with only 4 boys having first team experience (not including the lads out with serious shoulder injuries) and at the same time very few u17 boys
@Wyvern (Comment #5)
Would definitely swap Queens & Graeme, not very optmistic about Queens this year
@Wyvern (Comment #5)
Where would you rank the aspirations of Pearson and Brandwag on this EC list?
1. Grey
2. Framesby
3. Queens
4. Nico Malan
5. SAC
6. Graeme
7. Marlow
8. Kingswood
9. Selborne
10. Dale
To be fair, the bottom half could go in any order at this stage…
I’m surprised that Nico Malan from Humansdorp does not feature on you expectation Ryan. They have bene consistently in the top 5 EC schools over past few years. Had a rough start against a very strong Outeniqua (which may break into top 10 in SA again this year) outfit the past weekend. Game against Queens at Graeme Festival on Friday should give better idea of NM potential standing in EC this year.
The level of the KZN and EC Schoolboy rugby is similar although the style very different.
Currently a bridge is being build, Transskei, between EC and KZN.
Would be wishful to see a Coastal Noord-Suid tournament between EC and KZN teams for the future.
@Ryan (Comment #1)
Great line up.
I agree with Your predicted ranking although I would swop Kingswood with Framesby and Marlow with Dale.
Marlow always seems to be able to produce the upset and kill a favorite or two each and every year.
STATE OF THE EC
1. Grey (talented group when they were u16 and an even better u17 age group relatively)
2. Graeme
3. Kingswood
4. Framesby
5. Queens
6. St Andrews
7. Dale
8. Selborne
9. Marlow
Every team will have their banana skin moment this year.