In a move that comes as something of a surprise, highly respected coach Wes Chetty will take charge of the Bishops 1st XV for the final time when they face their traditional rivals Rondebosch on the Tienie Heyns Field on Saturday, 21 June 2025.
After eight seasons at the helm, Wes’s tenure will come to an end as the World Rugby Level 3 coach prepares to take up a new role within the Western Province u19 Pathway system. His departure marks the beginning of a new chapter in what has already been an impressive coaching career.
The upcoming derby clash is expected to be an emotional occasion, drawing the curtain on a significant era for both Wes and the Bishops rugby community. While the past two seasons have been challenging, they do not diminish the success and stability he brought to the programme over the six seasons prior. Two of those years, disrupted by the Covid pandemic, saw Bishops field teams of exceptional quality. Playing with a style synonymous with the Bishops brand — yet enhanced by Wes’s modernised approach — those teams were widely expected to etch his legacy into the school’s rugby history. In the seasons immediately following the pandemic, Bishops dazzled with a brand of glamorous, exhibition-style rugby that captured the attention of schoolboy rugby pundits and highlighted Wes’s coaching pedigree.
Unfortunately, the last couple of years have seen the Bishops rugby programme fall on hard times. A shortage of top-level talent — in arguably the toughest regional schoolboy rugby league in the world aside from Auckland’s A1 — made it extremely difficult to reproduce the flowing, attacking rugby for which the school is known. The challenges weren’t confined to the 1st XV either; the entire rugby structure seemed to struggle, even as local Southern Suburbs rivals appeared to be raising their standards.
The school now finds itself at a crossroads. The appointment of a highly remunerated rugby specialist — whether in a director of rugby capacity or a similarly senior role — appears imminent. With its rich rugby tradition and strong desire to preserve its distinctive brand of play, Bishops seemed a natural place for Wes to step into a full-time leadership position. However, that path will not be taken.
Wes began his coaching journey at Bishops under the mentorship of the legendary Dave Mallett, who initially brought him in as an assistant. He was later promoted to head coach, a role he served in with distinction and unwavering commitment.
His appointment was made possible through the support of former principal Guy Pearson, who entrusted him with leading one of the country’s most storied schoolboy rugby programmes.
Wes leaves behind a mark of excellence defined by passion, player development, and an unwavering commitment to upholding the Bishops rugby identity.
Another good man Sam Mofokeng — former Michaelhouse head coach and current Bishops assistant — appears poised to step into the top job. His potential appointment would be a groundbreaking moment for the Western Province Premier League, marking a significant step forward in representation and recognition. However, the road ahead will be anything but easy. While Sam brings a wealth of coaching experience, he inherits a challenging environment that will demand resilience, vision, and strong leadership.
@KatzRugga (Comment #7)
Also just to say all schools recruit, JHB and CT included. KZN does have a strong hockey culture and as mentioned have many of the top teams in the country each year, whereas the main rugby powerhouses often fall away here. So yes KZN does lose good rugby boys to hockey. But rugby boys don’t love their schools or kZN any less just because they only arrive in Grade 8. Also just to mention I know that out of Northwoods 4 Craven Week players this year,3 are local boys for Durban North schools within 5 mins of Northwood. Chad Howe and Jaimie Wimble were at Chelsea Prep and Lian Terblanche at Northlands Primary. There are others as well. So it’s not just imports at all the KZN schools.
@KatzRugga (Comment #7)
Kearsney will also come right again. Their 1st team already competed well at times this year and they have a good u16A team coming through with Grant Bashford at the helm. They will compete well next year I am sure of it. Again with some time and money they will build a pipeline.
Bishops will turn this around. Their 1st team up until the last year or so was always excellent. They may not beat the Paarl teams but they certainly can compete again against Bosh, SACS, Wynberg and other privates at festivals. They will focus time and money on it and it will come right.
@Leon (Comment #5)
You are correct: min is 6 in u19 and 4 in the remaining ages.
Bishops has gotten around this quiet nicely in 2025 by inviting Hamiltons to play one of their 4 age group games each week. Bishops u14A coach is based at Hamiltons so that’s a bonus.
But honestly as a Proud OD I don’t really think. About fixtures as A league or B league. I see it as playing the usual 16 17 games and having fun if that’s against Paul Roos, Drostdy or Melkbosstrand I’m not worried
@Grasshopper (Comment #2)
Your comparison between Bishop and Kearsney is fair. Where does this leave KZN schoolboy rugby? KZN already lack in numbers when it comes to tier 1 schools and as it stand theres a couple of schools ranked below KC when looking at 1 XV results the last couple of years. The performing KZN schools seems to just fill up with late recruited kids from outside KZN anyway and who truly care about this as these recruits, when done in numbers, arent really boys of KZN or their schools.
I’m not sure where it all went wrong, they seemed to be doing relatively well at 1st team level. Playing good rugby while producing quality players especially just pre and post Covid.
@Running_Rugby (Comment #3)
Thanks, think the requirement is 18 on match day for Premier A, if I’m not mistaken
How many rugby teams are required for Premier A league participation?
I know diversity is usually a good thing, but with Soccer, Basketball, Golf, Squash, Surfing, etc. (in additional to hockey) all being offered as sporting alternatives it have reduced the number of rugby teams at many schools.
@Leon (Comment #1)
We had 15 vs HJS.
So they going to throw more money at it? An expensive new flashy Director of Rugby. Private schools need paying parents, that’s the issue. They can’t hand out the 50+ bursaries that some schools can. I do feel for Bishops, they are a bit like Kearsney in KZN, too small to compete with the big dogs. For me they should step down to B-league for now, win that again and then come back up. Getting pumped each week can’t be fun for anyone…
Any truth in the rumors that Bishops may be leaving the Premier A league? As it is, they are unable to field enough teams. If I’m not mistaken, they only had 11 teams for HJS this past weekend.