Queen’s College of Komani continued their impressive run of form with a commanding 38-17 victory over the previously unbeaten St Andrew’s College in Makhanda on Saturday. The result marks a significant milestone for the proud Komani side as they now prepare to host Grey High School in what promises to be a crunch fixture on the amazing Rec.
The victory carried added emotional weight for Queen’s: it was their first win over St Andrew’s in old Grahamstown since 2008, and the boys were highly motivated to break that long drought. Knowing that SAC would introduce their regular starters off the bench at some stage, the Queen’s camp had prepared specifically to lift their intensity at those key moments.
The encounter came just a week after St Andrew’s had pulled off a thrilling 17-10 win over a highly-rated Graeme College. However, SAC’s preparations for the Queen’s clash were heavily disrupted by the Eastern Province trials, which took place on Friday and Saturday morning. As mentioned, no fewer than six of their starting players were involved in the trials, meaning they were unavailable to start and had to come off the bench.
From the outset, Queen’s capitalised on SAC’s disjointed build-up. Playing with intensity and clarity, the Kudus raced to a 19-3 lead, dominating the collisions and showing smart variation in their attacking play. SAC eventually found their rhythm and showcased flashes of their trademark running rugby, scoring two well-worked tries before halftime to cut the deficit to 17-19. With key players coming on from the bench and the momentum seemingly shifting, the home side appeared poised for a second-half surge.
However, early in the second half, SAC’s high-risk style backfired. A misplaced pass in their own half gifted Queen’s a five-pointer against the run of play to grow the score to 24-17. Despite spending long periods camped in the Queen’s red zone and enjoying plenty of possession and territory, SAC could not crack the visitors’ superb defensive wall. Queen’s showed tremendous discipline, organisation, and character in defence, repelling multiple waves of attack with maturity beyond their years. Defensively, Queen’s got their plan right!
As the clock wound down, Queen’s finally managed to shift the game back into SAC territory. With the match still in the balance, the hosts again attempted to run from deep, only to be punished by a clinical Queen’s outfit. A well-taken try under the poles pushed the score out to 31-17, and another opportunistic effort—this time off a handling error forced by relentless defensive pressure—sealed the result.
The 38-17 scoreline was a fair reflection of Queen’s physicality, work ethic, and cohesion. With the Kudus now hitting their stride, all eyes turn to their upcoming home fixture against Grey High School—a match that promises fireworks as two of the Eastern Cape’s heavyweights go head-to-head.
Former Schoolmates Turned Coaches Reunite in Epic Clash
Loyal head coach Clinton Loest has been a stalwart at his alma mater, Queen’s College, serving as a coach since 2004 and as a full-time staff member since 2007. As a schoolboy, he played 1st XV rugby alongside respected professional lock Charl van Rensburg and former Springbok prop Robbi Kempson. The trio also represented the remarkable 1991 Border Craven Week team that advanced all the way to the final that year.
Now, over three decades later, Kempson finds himself on the opposite side of the field—as Director of Rugby at Grey High School, Queen’s next formidable opponent. It’s a reunion that adds an intriguing layer to this already highly anticipated Eastern Cape derby.
Grey looking to bounce back after Wynberg outing
Grey’s most recent outing saw them suffer a hard-fought defeat to Cape Town visitors Wynberg Boys’ High. Historically, Grey has enjoyed dominance in that fixture, but Wynberg have raised their standards considerably in recent seasons. Despite Grey’s clear strength up front, it was ultimately Wynberg’s more balanced all-round performance coupled with being able to rely on the standout influence of two veteran campaigners, that secured them a 32–27 away victory.
Grey’s traditional forward dominance remains a major weapon, and they will no doubt look to apply sustained pressure on Queen’s up front. However, their key challenge lies in igniting the backline to maximise their attacking potential. While Grey have several talented backs in the mix, they’ve struggled to find rhythm and cohesion. Much will depend on their ability to unleash their x-factor fullback, who has shown flashes of brilliance but needs to be integrated more consistently into their attacking structures.
Adding another twist of local flavour, Grey’s backline is now coached by Simon Bolze—a family name long associated with old Queenstown. His involvement adds yet another familiar face to this historic Eastern Cape rivalry.
All eyes will be on this weekend’s showdown, as two proud rugby institutions—both steeped in tradition go head to head in what promises to be a fierce and hopefully memorable encounter.
The Eastern Cape picture
| # | SCHOOL | REG | AVG | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TTL | AVG | LAST 8 GAMES | |||||||
| 1 | Nico Malan | EP | 3.83 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 109 | 56 | 53 | 15.3 | 3.83 | KIN | DAL | MUI | PEA | ||||
| 2 | Queen’s | BOR | 3.65 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 145 | 87 | 58 | 18.3 | 3.65 | PEA | BW | SEL | DAL | STA | |||
| 3 | Graeme | EP | 3.40 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 92 | 61 | 31 | 10.2 | 3.40 | DAN | BW | STA | |||||
| 4 | Grey HS | EP | 3.25 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 88 | 37 | 51 | 6.5 | 3.25 | HP | DAL | ||||||
| 5 | Brandwag (EP) | EP | 3.21 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 161 | 134 | 27 | 22.4 | 3.21 | DAL | GRA | QC | MAR | MUI | DAN | KIN | |
| 6 | Marlow | EP | 3.07 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 78 | 87 | -9 | 9.2 | 3.07 | STA | SEL | BW | |||||
| 7 | Selborne | BOR | 2.83 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 115 | 91 | 24 | 14.2 | 2.83 | HP | MAR | PEA | QC | DAL | |||
| 8 | St Andrew’s | EP | 2.70 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 105 | 90 | 15 | 10.8 | 2.70 | MAR | FRA | GRA | QC | ||||
| 9 | Framesby | EP | 2.57 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 115 | 79 | 36 | 7.7 | 2.57 | STA | DAN | HP | |||||
| 10 | Pearson | EP | 2.23 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 43 | 75 | -32 | 6.7 | 2.23 | QC | SEL | NM | |||||
| 11 | Dale | BOR | 1.94 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 58 | 119 | -61 | 9.7 | 1.94 | BW | NM | GHS | QC | SEL | |||
| 12 | Hudson Park | BOR | 1.91 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 92 | 118 | -26 | 7.7 | 1.91 | SEL | GHS | MUI | FRA | ||||
| 13 | Kingswood | EP | 1.64 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 17 | 43 | -26 | 3.3 | 1.64 | NM | BW | ||||||
| 14 | Daniel Pienaar | EP | 1.31 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 76 | 155 | -79 | 5.3 | 1.31 | MUI | GRA | FRA | BW | ||||
FORMBOOK
| # | SCHOOL | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
| 1 | Nico Malan | KIN | DAL | MUI | PEA | MAR | GRA | DAN | BW | FRA | ||||||||||||||
| 24-10 | 24-22 | 43-14 | 18-10 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 4.16 | 3.50 | 3.50 | 4.16 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Queen’s | PEA | BW | SEL | DAL | STA | GHS | HP | MAR | SEL | GRA | GRA | DAL | |||||||||||
| 17-20 | 29-15 | 40-22 | 21-13 | 38-17 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 3.60 | 3.50 | 3.50 | 3.50 | 4.16 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Graeme | DAN | BW | STA | HP | NM | KIN | PEA | DAL | QC | QC | MUI | ||||||||||||
| 51-17 | 31-27 | 10-17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3.50 | 3.50 | 3.20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Grey HS | HP | DAL | QC | STA | DAN | DAN | FRA | MUI | SEL | ||||||||||||||
| 45-34 | 43-03 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3.00 | 3.50 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Brandwag (EP) | DAL | GRA | QC | MAR | MUI | DAN | KIN | MUI | NM | DAN | PEA | ||||||||||||
| 16-07 | 27-31 | 15-29 | 36-31 | 26-10 | 22-19 | 19-07 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 3.50 | 3.40 | 0.88 | 3.50 | 3.50 | 3.50 | 4.16 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Marlow | STA | SEL | BW | NM | DAL | QC | PEA | FRA | |||||||||||||||
| 25-25 | 22-26 | 31-36 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3.96 | 2.63 | 2.63 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | Selborne | HP | MAR | PEA | QC | DAL | STA | HP | QC | DAL | GHS | |||||||||||||
| 12-03 | 26-22 | 40-13 | 22-40 | 15-13 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 3.00 | 3.50 | 4.16 | 0.00 | 3.50 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | St Andrew’s | MAR | FRA | GRA | QC | SEL | GHS | KIN | DAL | |||||||||||||||
| 25-25 | 46-17 | 17-10 | 17-38 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 3.15 | 3.50 | 4.16 | 0.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 9 | Framesby | STA | DAN | HP | PEA | GHS | MAR | NM | ||||||||||||||||
| 17-46 | 52-12 | 46-21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1.20 | 3.50 | 3.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 | Pearson | QC | SEL | NM | MUI | FRA | DAN | GRA | MAR | BW | ||||||||||||||
| 20-17 | 13-40 | 10-18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3.50 | 0.00 | 3.20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11 | Dale | BW | NM | GHS | QC | SEL | MAR | STA | GRA | SEL | HP | QC | ||||||||||||
| 07-16 | 22-24 | 03-43 | 13-21 | 13-15 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1.75 | 3.60 | 0.00 | 1.75 | 2.63 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 12 | Hudson Park | SEL | GHS | MUI | FRA | GRA | QC | SEL | DAL | |||||||||||||||
| 03-12 | 34-45 | 34-15 | 21-46 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1.75 | 2.40 | 3.50 | 0.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 13 | Kingswood | NM | BW | GRA | STA | |||||||||||||||||||
| 10-24 | 07-19 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2.40 | 0.88 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14 | Daniel Pienaar | MUI | GRA | FRA | BW | GHS | PEA | GHS | NM | BW | MUI | |||||||||||||
| 28-30 | 17-51 | 12-52 | 19-22 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2.63 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2.63 |
@RuggaFreak (Comment #19)
Good win for Queen’s.
Queen’s were definitely the more innovative team and were able to up the pace.
Grey forwards had the chance to control the game but perhaps needed to be more patient to allow for this strength to dominate more. However everything the backline does seems to be in slowmo. Ball retention is slow. Also missed a few pen kicks to touch.
QC hooker and fullback really good but a number of players very alert. All three QC tries memorable. Line move to set up 11, great return of overcooked box by 15 to set up 12 and clever chip by 9 to give 14 an easy collect and dot down after a kind bounce – but impressive that no Grey defenders to challenge, so well set up.
Also Queen’s missed the marketing opportunity in commentary. It was bad that the voice for a QC home game knew the Grey players by name but referred to the QC players by jersey number
What a match !
@beet (Comment #15)
If NM can keep their local talent they will have a competitive team every year.
@Wyvern (Comment #16)
The “wild clone cup” have started this year hope more sponsors gets involve and make it bigger and better maby top 2 schools there should qualify for Noord/Suid every year.
EC LEAGUE
@Rainier (Comment #14)
A good season for Nico Malan and Jaco Nepgen has done very well to up their national profile given that they are regarded as a community feel school from a dorp.
In terms of where they fit into the big picture, I think the big game for Nico Malan will be against Graeme.
Rugby at the Rec is one of the great schoolboy rugby experiences in SA.
Looking at that team sheet I see the man, the legend Rod Botha in that team.
As well as Dorian from Grens – RIP Grens Hoerskool.
And NM topping the EC table is amazing and a testimony to a revived and professional rugby program.
@Smallies (Comment #11)
That’s a sign for you to visit family and enjoy a great clash.
@Farmer (Comment #8)
Wherever he plays, Matt and Co really have to try get him into the front foot game a lot more
@RuggaFreak (Comment #10)
My sister in law stays like a block from the Rec, I’ve spent quite a few Saterdays there,her boy also attends QC
@Smallies (Comment #9)
Do it, it will be a great atmosphere
I just might take a drive down the N6 Saturday….
@beet (Comment #7)
Dont know Kemp will make a big diffrence other no12 was also solid i still think Meyer Prinsloo best no12 in EP.
@Farmer (Comment #4)
Will Kemp and Killian be back in the starting lineup for this match?
@Coolguy (Comment #5)
Lekker. We are blessed with a good DOR who changed things around and Oldboys supporting the program. Grey High will be tough. Very tough.
@RuggaFreak (Comment #2)
My Father vs my father in laws school, great to see Queens take one back, long overdue.
GREY BACKLINE
Forwards might be just to string after what i saw against SAC .
@Kantman (Comment #1)
I suspect it’s due to the new shortened seasons for SAC (and KC)….no other slot.
Great article, Beet. St Andrew’s is a great side and I hope they keep their heads up. Looking forward to Saturday.
Great read, thanks.
Very curious, how can you have trials and scheduled games over a weekend? Where are the grownups?