Jan 2026
Brad Macleod-Henderson, widely regarded as KZN’s finest schoolboy rugby coach, is set to bring the curtain down on his Hilton College coaching career at the end of the 2026 season. It marks the closing chapter of a tenure that has shaped not only Hilton rugby but also the broader schoolboy game in the province.
The greatest compliment that can be paid to Brad is not one easily measured by wins or rankings. It lies in the essence of what makes a truly good coach: his ability to get the very best out of his players as a team. In school rugby, success is often credited to the quality of talent available. While Brad has undoubtedly worked with gifted players along the way, his real strength has been turning the squad in front of him—whether exceptional or average—into a collective that consistently performed greater than the sum of its parts.
His teams were built around a clear blueprint that became a defining feature of the 2010s. Knowledgeable rivals often described his style as conservative, but few were ever willing to label it ineffective. In fact, its reliability was its greatest strength. This was made even more impressive by the age-old complaint among coaches that “schoolboys don’t listen.” More often than not, Brad’s teams were exceptionally well drilled, tactically clear, and confident in both their understanding and execution of the plan.
What also stands out is the respect he commanded beyond the touchline. Many opponents over the years have had little affection for Hilton as a rugby institution, yet almost without exception, they have remarked that Brad is a genuinely good guy. In all the conversations, debates, and rivalries, it is rare to find anyone who has had a bad word to say about him as a person. That alone speaks volumes about the man behind the coach.
Brad first took charge at Hilton in 2012, replacing current Wynberg headmaster Deon Scheepers. It was a volatile period for the school’s rugby, with Hilton seemingly wrestling internally with its identity and where it wished to position itself in a changing rugby environment. His arrival was immediately surrounded by talk of him being the best-paid schoolboy coach in the country, with rumours of a seven-figure annual package and a six-digit bonus linked to victories over arch-rivals Michaelhouse.
Those financial whispers created an early cloud of negativity. Expectations were inflated, and the relationship between results and rumours rarely aligned neatly. Against that backdrop, it was difficult for Brad to ever truly “win” public opinion in his early years, regardless of what happened on the field.
At the end of the 2013 season, he left Hilton to join the Sharks during the turbulent period under then CEO John Smit. Within months, he achieved something extraordinary for a schoolboy rugby coach in the history of the game: winning the Currie Cup as head coach. It was a powerful validation of his coaching pedigree and silenced any lingering doubts about his ability at the highest level.
Brad returned to Hilton ahead of the 2016 season, and what followed was nothing short of a transformation. Significant funding was secured as part of a broader strategy to elevate Hilton’s sporting profile in the build-up to the school’s 150th anniversary in 2022. Rugby was a major beneficiary of this investment. The infrastructure, support systems, and ambition all aligned, paving the way for a sustained period of success.
This era produced standout achievements, including three Top 10 national finishes, an unbeaten season in 2019, first place in the province in 2022, and an impressive four SA Schools representatives that same year. It was during this phase that his blueprint, experience, and environment finally converged perfectly.
From a player development perspective, Hilton under Brad maintained a strong tradition of producing quality school level scrumhalves. While Hentie Martens emerged as a standout No.9 from his school era in the 1990s, it was arguably the loose forwards who left the biggest impression. Wayne Fyvie and Bob Skinstad, both Hilton products, went on to establish themselves—and Brad as well—at senior level. Before them came Gary Teichmann, a former Springbok captain who holds a special place in the hearts of every Sharks supporter.
As Brad enters his final season, his legacy is already secure. When the final whistle blows on his Hilton coaching career, it will not only mark the end of an era for the school but also the departure of one of the most influential figures in KZN schoolboy rugby.
@Grasshopper (Comment #6)
Unfortunately their whole programme over the last decade has revolved around keeping it safe and winning the derby. A lot of money burned imo. At least when Glenwood were cash flush they only wanted to play the big schools – DHS, Westville, College and now Northwood seem to chase big games.
@POD (Comment #5)
One difficult game out of 13, the rest where mid-tier at best; https://schoolboyrugby.co.za/?p=39673#2022
@stent99 (Comment #4)
Hilton played Boishaai at St Johns festival in their 150th year. Narrowly lost in a mud fest, only match they lost that year
@Grasshopper (Comment #3)
Nailed it – Hilton avoid playing anyone big. In their 150th with their cheque book side they could have played some big sides but chose not to…poor imo.
Brad is indeed a great coach and person. It has certainly helped the huge cash injection post 2014, annus horribilis. Losing to the rabble of Glenwood 7-67! How dare they do that and claims of it being unfair, an injury risk and ‘too professional’. What did Hilton do? They stopped all fixtures with Glenwood for 6 years to build up the strength again, become professional and avoid anymore embarrassing losses. They then put in a huge recruitment effort to get the best rugby players in grade 8 across KZN and Gauteng into the system. Once the strength was back up again, switch fixtures back on in 2020. Still lost most since then. What they also did to protect the teams was padded the fixtures, so no Top 10 sides and only 10 to 12 fixtures per annum, very few hard core tournaments. Very clever by him and Hilton management. They certainly have improved their depth across the age groups and are now a Top 5 KZN rugga school for sure. Best of luck to him in what he does next….
I believe that what Hilton and BMH has achieved over the last 10 years has had a big impact on schoolboy rugby within KZN.
They had the vision and resources. It forced other KZN schools to ramp up their program and facilities. Overall maybe the KZN rugby landscape has benefitted.
He has done great things for Hilton. Having watched a few games over the years, his teams were very well drilled and offered very few errors to the opposition. Where is he going to? why is he leaving?