Starting in 2025, the Eastern Cape’s two most prominent private schools, Kingswood College and St Andrew’s College, are considering dedicating part of their winter sports programme to soccer. Both Makhanda-based schools operate on a three-term system, so there is a possibility that they will conclude their respective rugby seasons at some point in July before kicking off their soccer programme.
This shift in approach would align the two Eastern Cape colleges with fellow private schools from Gauteng, as well as KZN independents Hilton and Michaelhouse, which also enrol a number of students from the interior.
Although it is unlikely that the Afrikaans-medium schools in the Eastern Cape will follow suit, it will be interesting to see how the English-medium boys’ schools respond to this development, particularly in a region traditionally known as a rugby stronghold.
@Wyvern (Comment #5)
I don’t see it impacting KC that much, except for the loss of a week or 2 of rugby fixtures. This proposal would actually work better for St Andrews as they’re currently playing soccer during the rugby/hockey season. Moving all the games to this period would give them a few more boys for their rugby programme
@City Lords (Comment #4)
Ah I see. Your thoughts on this change?
@Wyvern (Comment #3)
Basketball is a summer code so doesn’t compete with hockey and rugby.
With the Gauteng private schools (St Johns specifically), soccer is played during mid year exams so it’s not compulsory. It does impact Athletics at the beginning of the 3rd term.
A good thing I think. KC just doesn’t have the numbers to support 4 main winter sports (rugby, hockey, basketball). 13-15 games max in a rugby season seems about right too.
@Outside Looking in (Comment #1)
Yes soccer co-exists in many parts and at many good rugby schools.
Its just a few schools where the rugby season has shortened to accommodate soccer. The reason for this is to serve soccer as a major sport which can’t be achieved if it overlaps with another major sport. So it was really just amongst KZN schools and a few Gauteng schools where soccer had this elevated status at schools with good rugby structures. In 2025 if KC and SAC follow suit, it may have a ripple effect.
Dale, Queen’s & Selborne have been playing soccer for a while, but have taken it very seriously now. Selborne hosts a tournament at Hams Tech that’s very popular while Hudson have been playing soccer for more than 30-odd years & never abandoned the sport.