Boys’ High are celebrating 125 years in style with a top notch line-up of schools from around SA taking part in their birthday festival over Easter.
Have a look at this link for more details: https://boyshigh.com/easter-rugby-festival/
| PRETORIA BH 125TH FEST | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 : Sat 04-Apr-2026 | ||||||
| 09h00 | EP | Grey HS | 40-18 | Parktown | LIO | |
| 10h30 | WP | Rondebosch | 57-17 | Selborne | BOR | |
| 12h00 | BUL | Affies | 27-29 | Michaelhouse | KZN | |
| 13h30 | LIO | Jeppe | 12-35 | Maritzburg Coll | KZN | |
| 15h00 | BUL | Pretoria BH | 35-34 | SACS | WP | |
| Day 2 : Mon 06-Apr-2026 | ||||||
| 09h00 | BOR | Selborne | 26-05 | Parktown | LIO | |
| 10h30 | KZN | Maritzburg Coll | 24-07 | SACS | WP | |
| 12h00 | BUL | Affies | 59-19 | Grey HS | EP | |
| 13h30 | LIO | Jeppe | 36-40 | Michaelhouse | KZN | |
| 15h00 | BUL | Pretoria BH | 20-43 | Rondebosch | WP | |
@wanza sorry bud going to bail on Saturday sudden illness put me out of commission
@wanza_15 (Comment #37)
Regarding meeting up mate we can meet at the Hockey Tuckshop after the Rugby first team game I think the beer tent will be close to there like last year again hopefully to celebrate not cry 🤞🏾🤞🏾🤞🏾🤞🏾
So Marco Engelbrecht gets one over his old mentor and coach – well done Marco! Hopefully, his magic will rub off on the Reds this weekend !
@wanza_15 (Comment #43) I blame the u17 EPD crowd for this poor kids misfortunes this season we were promised Naas Botha meets Mannie Libok with more pigmantation and all we seemed to have gotten is a very ordinary kid in the 10 jumper currently looking more like a second team 10 and not Naas Botha the return. Maybe this weekend is his break out occassion🤞🤞🤞🤞 but in all fairness we lost the game in the first 7 minutes his kicking had nothing to do how House ran us out of our shoes, I now get it we really did benefit from the wet conditions at Garsfontein. Alas if our 10 delivered on the primose of he being a points machine even if House get all their kicks we win by 3 points coulda shoulda woulda Affies should have gone for poles against them. None the less we should be proud the kids did not let themselves get spanked by 50 points or even worse 100 points. The kids looked tired very tired. Rest is indeed needed. I hope they are not at school on Friday for that entire affair of reunions and the Old boy assembly my reunion year by 14h00 the following day when the kids needed to play they were finished. @Tang said it best the weight of expectation on what is basically a bunch of kids is too high. But we also must remember for the brave nothing is too difficult
The priority this week must surely be to rest. Apart from our kicker, who must practice kicking every day this week, they should just be meeting for film sessions and physio/rehab. A light session maybe on Friday to action a few things from the video sessions but really they must not be running.
I don’t want to be here on Saturday complaining about a lack of effort due to fatigue.
@Ringo (Comment #42)
Goodness we are so bad 😭😭
Unfortunately our kicker is not reliable. I dare say, if he kicked even slightly better for poles today, we could have actually completed the comeback and won this game. His touch finders are good, but the kicks for poles leave a lot to be desired.
I agree, the second half team deserve to start this coming Saturday. Lots of guts in shown in the 2nd half but we can’t afford to be 14 points down in the opening 5 minutes of games. You make it really difficult for yourself whether you have a reliable kicker or not. We need to start games better.
We did miss 3 or 4 kicks today? One was a penalty? We went down 36-40 so you do the maths.
36-40 well done House that is a very well drilled side if I may say so myself … can the Jeppe team that played the last 15 minutes of today’s game play for 70 minutes on Saturday if the guys who played the first 10 minutes play on Saturday we are stuffed …. the irony is it is the same guys …. we are puzzling for some sound mental readiness for the weekend ….. my suggestion cancel reunion weekend postpone it to the 18th treat this weekend like just another weekend fixture🫣🫣🫣🫣 but do not worry gents I figured it out I will be in Red Old School Jumper this weekend oh I won’t go that far I will my wear my liverpool supporters shirt to transfer my bad Juju to team in Read
@brentsw3 (Comment #40)
Mate I am a 1.62m tall black accountant the least threatening black man you will meet in your life I met so many people who shared the same opinion with me about that place in Yoeville oh sorry I mean upper Houghton I would ask what happened to your FNB classic clash with College😜 the one that started in 2014 and ended abrutly in 2024 …. What was the official word again cost too high🤔 but then you replaced it with another trip to KZN and yet they still do two trips to PTA a year and if I am not mistaken a Bloem Trip as well…. If I was them I too would know which trip to cut when saving “cost”🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
@Ringo (Comment #39)
The hoards of Jeppe supporters that descend on St Patrick’s road every derby Saturday would suggest they’re generally well received. Are you maybe just a dodgy looking Mofo? Post a pic so we can decide…
@wanza_15 (Comment #37) Oh I properly dislike the arrogant pricks I can still remember being searched walking into that school this is Joburg I said to myself I get it is safety precuation. So then I stood to see who was getting searched to my dismay they were only searching people in Black jumpers waving pass the ones in Red that means it is not a safety concern and more of a statement about how unwelcomed you are as a Jeppe supporter. Then I spent two awful years as a lions union ref very thankless job that one and the things I saw and experienced there as a random black face properly made me see them for who they are in the main now granted most of these things happened more than 10 years ago and of course their bloggers will gaslight my lived experiences but their own old boys dislike the general win at all costs philosophy there I even told Carl Spilhuas the samething when he first arrived at Jeppe…….. Mate I like almost everyone but the pompus hubris that stems from St Patricks Road in Houghton for me is next level and I am here to let them know the feeling is mutual and they are terrible arrogant hosts in the main
@Tang (Comment #32)
Man the festival is amazing. Jeppe are stressing us. The old boy groups are losing their minds.
I couldn’t make it yesterday but I’ll be there tomorrow.
Can’t believe Pretoria Boys have never considered a festival given how beautiful the campus is.
The Candies, really exciting.
It’s clear even from television that a lot of work has gone in to it. You’re part of a great thing in Pretoria Boys Tang.
@Ringo (Comment #33)
Ringo, what have KES done to you?🤣🤣🤣🤣 we need to give you the platform to vent, and let it all out 🤣🤣🤣.. Type Ringo, no matter how long your message, we will read it, type, type type. I want to see you next weekend.
@Ringo (Comment #33)
🤣🤣🤣🤣
@BereFan (Comment #27)
I am aware of that Garsfontein XV loss, I thought The Bere 1st team lost at some festival as well? Sorry I am badly mistaken.
Jeppe are stressing me lol.
@4×4 (Comment #22)
Firstly, well done and congratulations to Michaelhouse.
AHS v Michaelhouse historical stats:
1995: AHS won 26-3
2001: AHS won 39-3
2004: Michaelhouse won 15-10
2026: Michaelhouse won 29-27
They have only played 4 times.
@Tang (Comment #32) Boys High was incredible yesterday very welcoming great host school all the games were amazing I sat amongst young Boys high old boys class of 2019 we were late but a lovely young man let me and my buddy join their table right there in the beer tent close to the field furtherest corner from the media centre loved it even though I seemed to only support losing teams on the day my apolgies to Selborne,Affies,Jeppe and SACS I just got bad juju right now ….. maybe next weekend I put on a Red Jumper and scream go school all day🤔 …. the crowd announcer saying everyone is a VIP here👌👌👌 those are the little things that make Boys High better than a certain Upper Houghton/Yoeville school🤪 …. There was entertainment for both kids and adults too nice as for the band a litle bit too much self indulgeness from the Head Coach there 🤣🤣🤣 …. on the Jeppe rugby game people like me put too much pressure on the kids we got a little ahead of ourselves in all fairness we have one of the toughest fixture list we lost 2 games to two traditional rugby powerhouses we beat a new age powerhouse at their home in Garsfontein now we just need to let kids settle and accept what may come
@Ringo (Comment #31)
@Ringo and @Wanza_15 Jeppe are a very good rugby team. Their win against a good Garsfontein team was monumental. The fight and determination they showed to come back against Garsies must be celebrated. Losing against Maritzburg College is never a disgrace. They always give you a battle and they are very comfortable playing at Pretoria Boys. The Jeppe vs Michaelhouse clash could be one of the standout fixtures of the Easter weekend. I personally think Jeppe will take it tomorrow by 5 to 8 points. In my view, Jeppe have a tough fixture list this year and the weight of expectation they are carrying is unfair for teenagers. At the Garsies game, I was watching how involved the Jeppe parents and old boys are in the school’s rugby. 15 young lads are carrying loads of expectation on their young shoulders.
69 km is a long way to drive to watch your team lose to what will turn out to be KZN’s 5th or 6th best team…… but in all honesty they are a top ten team all time in the Country we wish we had their pedigree and history on the rugby field …. what I will say about College is they do not lose rugby games they get beaten and today they were not getting beaten… Iyoh I am super scared about the season to come the rest of this month is insane 😶🌫️😶🌫️😶🌫️ House, Kes, Ville, Landbou, and Grey all still in April🤯🤯🤯😭😭😭 there is little hope if we play like we did today
@HSBR (Comment #28) Cause they are giving the 1st and 2nd team boys a well deserved break after Noord-Suid. Seems like the sensible thing to do…
@HSBR (Comment #28)
Garsfonteins’ coaching staff informed saints last year already that it’ll be a 3rd team as they see it as an opportunity to give those boys exposure and a chance to test themselves. Garsfonteins’ 1st team was never in the conversation to take part.
@BereFan (Comment #27) Do you know why Garsfontein played with their 3rd team and not their 1st team?
@wanza_15 (Comment #25) Has been Garsies’ 3rd team though so can’t really use them as an example.
@wanza_15 (Comment #25)
yup, Jeppe, Affies and Grey looked out on their feet – how many games have each school played thus far – 6/7 – and it’s barely April? Long season still ahead with some very tough local derbies and Wildeklawer to come. With that said, well done House, College and Nudgee!
To be completely honest, I’ve not watched Jeppe play well this entire season so far. I must assume that the Garsfontein game was good because we won and it was in ugly conditions, and away from home, and they’re a very good outfit as we saw at Noord Suid. One observation however is that 4 Noord Suid teams (Grey, Affies, Garsfontein, Jeppe) have lost their respective Easter festival games to teams that didn’t participate in Noord Suid. Monnas who I believe have won their 2 Easter fest games have beaten “lesser” opposition with due respect. In 2024 and 2025, we have followed that Monnas approach; after Noord Suid (that will beat and bruise you), the teams you play at Easter fest need to be teams you can afford to have off-days against and potentially rotate a little. We’ve chosen Maritzburg, and on Monday a Michealhouse who have beaten Affies. We need all the luck in the world. These boys are tired.
@4×4 (Comment #22)
True…it’s still rugby football after all, …u need a kicker
@Vleis (Comment #21)
Wow…the talent is spread out nicely this year.
@Kaya 85 (Comment #20)
Last game Michaelhouse won was in 2004 against Affies.
And unfortunately it appears that Affies hasn’t got any reliable kickers this year, I think the stats is less than 50%.
@Kaya 85 (Comment #20)
Believe it or not, prior to this game, they’ve each had two wins, so now it’s three to MHS and two to Affies.
Michaelhouse make history… I don’t know how many times they will have played Affies before but I’m pretty sure that was their first win against them.
They defended manfully, grew into the game and opted to keep ball in hand. That said Affies could have won it but opted for a lineout
Well done House….This might be the best I have game I have ever seen..
I am scared for Monday
I realise it is difficult to stream as many matches as they do, but when you wake up to watch the Grey vs Parktown fixture and it has literally disappeared off the app it is so frustrating. I just wish there was a back up platform when it all goes wrong (which it often does) with SS Schools.
@wanza_15 (Comment #7) Derbies rarely follow a script. But yes, I would say Jeppe are favourites, based on their early season form.
@Tang (Comment #8)
I assure you that KES really wanted to be at the PBHS festival. PBHS and St John’s are our oldest rugby rivals and of course PBHS is also a “Milner” school. After much debate, it was decided to keep our own festival in support of our sponsors and loyal supporters. But it nearly didn’t happen this year…..Anyway, PBHS have some amazing schools and fixtures lined up. I hope it’s a huge success!
@beet (Comment #14)
“Studio audience”? I must have missed this, on Supersport Schools I am imagining?
“Phano Letsie” is definitely a Sotho name so his roots will be traced back to Lesotho, but coming to what you say, and I agree with you, for him to actually have been born in Lesotho and spent some time there is interesting and not something you hear often.
@wanza_15 (Comment #7)
Phano and the Hammer were part of a studio audience on TV a few months ago. I may have misheard, but I’m fairly sure Phano told the presenter that he’s from Lesotho. That would be quite interesting — we often hear of Namibians and Zimbabweans playing schoolboy rugby in South Africa, and occasionally the odd Congolese, Ghanaian, or Mauritian player. But it’s rare to come across a youngster from Lesotho, or even from Eswatini, Botswana, or Mozambique.
@POD (Comment #6)
Yeah I was just saying if they wanted KES, they could have moved it a week earlier. Then Affies would have been ruled out and there would be two festivals on in very close proximity to each other. Closer than KES to St John’s over Easter but probably not worth it for PBHS to test those waters.
@wanza_15 (Comment #11)
Yes, you make a good observation. However, the 2026 group should be very good. There are at least 10 players returning and of the 10, many of them have multiple caps. The u16 group coming through have improved every year and there were 5 in the u16 A Blue Bulls GK team. I think 2026 will be the first time since 2013 where the first team selectors have some real headaches. I’m not saying 2026 will be a Top 20 type of year but this team will be highly competitive.
@Tang (Comment #10)
When I saw the PBHS 125 was in 2026, I thought damn, I am sure they would have wanted it in 2027 rather, or best case scenario, 2028? Are those not the 2 years you guys have a keener eye on compared to next? Nonetheless, excited for the new season – never under-estimating the Candies, especially if we must make the trip to Pretoria. I thought that Queenton Mncube of yours was in matric in 2025, goodness, he is back next year?
@wanza_15 (Comment #7)
Regarding your last sentence. PBHS are definitely thinking about it. Under estimating PBHS in 2026 could be a huge error for many teams.
@wanza_15 (Comment #7)
I’m pleased to hear that Jeppe have such a strong returning group and some strong u16’s coming through. When I looked at Jeppe’s fixtures for 2026, I was stunned by the quality of the opposition in the first 10 fixtures.
@Roger (Comment #2)
100% correct. I’m sure the two schools tried to work something out. It’s a real pity not to have KES in the mix.
SNEAK PEAK OF JEPPE 2026
We have a lot of guys coming back, probably the most i can remember.
I know that doesn’t always automatically equal results but they got a lot of 2025 minutes. 8 of them in total I am sure of, and 5 were provincial players. Joel Akilo at 15 is who im most excited about. Phano Letsie at 12 I think comes back and takes the armband in 2026. Then Hammer Time in the front row – Joshua Hamman, oh my goodness I am having an orgasm.
Then our 10 next year will be Ndzalama Mbhalati, coming from u16 and was in that SA performance EPD thingy. A very good kicker apparently, according to him, he spends 2 hours “every” morning kicking at poles.
Roger, Brent, Grant, KES oldboy, I will be doubling you guys again in 2026, there is nothing you guys can do about it unfortunately
Tang, Meesh, its not happening in 2026, forget about it if you were thinking about it.
@beet (Comment #5)
Noord Suid is 1 week earlier.
@Meesh N (Comment #4)
Or for PBHS to move their festival one week earlier to accommodate KES and lose out on the two most popular festival attendance days of the calendar year.
@Roger (Comment #2)
Really sad but it is understandable, wouldn’t expect KES to potentially kill the momentum of such an old festival & a highlight on their calendar for a once of celebratory fest.
Day 1 will be my birthday so I’ll definitely be there, hope the laaities can give me something extra to celebrate by getting one over my boss’ alma mater & a reason to get battered at our old boys club after! 😂
@Tang (Comment #1) a real pity KES are not at the 125 celebrations. I guess the clash with the KES festival couldn’t be avoided. With Jeppe and St Johns, Pretoria Boys is KES’s oldest rival.
SOME INTERESTING MATCH UPS