Pretoria Boys High – A Festival That Feels Built to Last

The first impression hits immediately — the fields at Pretoria Boys High are nothing short of spectacular. Vast, carpet-like stretches of lush green roll out in every direction, framed by towering trees that give the venue a calm, almost timeless feel. With ten rugby fields in total, space is never a constraint. It doesn’t just look like a festival venue — it feels like one.

The natural question follows: is this a once-off celebration?

All signs suggest otherwise. There are clear intentions to make this an annual Easter Festival, and on this evidence, that feels more than justified. For a first edition marking 125 years, it ran with remarkable smoothness. From the moment you entered the gates to the final whistle, there were no visible disruptions. The support was strong too, boosted in no small part by the presence of neighbours Affies.

That said, the long-term picture won’t be without challenges. The pool of traditional Easter festival boys high schools — largely English-medium — is limited. Securing consistent participation, particularly from a powerhouse like Affies, who are tied to Noord-Suid, may not always be straightforward.What Boys High do have in their favour, though, is something less tangible but equally valuable: reputation. They are widely respected and well-liked across the country. When it comes to attracting teams and support, that goodwill could prove decisive.

The Marquee Moment – House Shake the Country

Every great festival needs a game people talk about — and this one delivered in full.
Michaelhouse’s 29–27 win over Affies wasn’t just a result; it was a statement. One that rippled through the schoolboy rugby community from Pretoria to the Cape.

It was a match defined by resilience. Michaelhouse absorbed relentless pressure, endured a heavy penalty count, and still found a way. Their defence was fearless — bodies on the line, again and again.

Affies, for their part, played plenty of rugby. The Witbulle dominated possession for long stretches, especially early on, with their forwards laying a strong platform and the ball moved wide with intent. But for all their quality, the finishing edge just wasn’t there.

Michaelhouse, in contrast, were clinical. Chances came — and they took them.
The closing moments will be debated. Affies had a shot at goal to win it, but opted for the corner and an attacking lineout. It didn’t pay off. The gamble fell short, and the upset was sealed.

Media Box Royalty

The media presence matched the occasion.

Carl Fabian of Ruggas was among those hard at work — and soon heading abroad, with a move to Ireland where he’ll take up a directorship role at a school for their winter before hopefully returning home in their offseason.

Then there’s Hans Nienaber. Calling him the GOAT might spark debate, but there’s little argument that he has been South Africa’s leading schoolboy rugby journalist for years. Interestingly, his roots trace back to HTS Kimberley — a choice that he says helped shape his balanced perspective.

While many are getting used to the voices of Matt Pearce and Hanyani Shimange in the Springbok arena, schoolboy rugby has its own unmistakable voice: Spoed Smith. Knowledgeable, passionate, and widely liked — he remains a central figure in the SBR landscape.

Shanna Devitt of Pegasus Publishing also deserves mention — one of the tireless contributors who continues to provide valuable coverage and insight to the community.

The Day 1 matches in brief

Grey High 40–18 Parktown
Grey looked slightly distracted early, perhaps with one eye on their upcoming clash with Affies. Parktown made them work, trailing just 12–6 at the break. But depth told in the second half as Grey pulled away with authority.
Rondebosch 57–17 Selborne
A familiar pattern — competitive early, one-way traffic later. Rondebosch led 19–10 at halftime before taking full control. For Selborne, the bigger story lies off the field: rebuilding structures, retaining talent, and restoring belief after years of player drain. A watch this space project is underway and it will hopefully pay dividends.
Maritzburg College 35–12 Jeppe
Overshadowed by the headline upset in the Michaelhouse-Affies game before, but significant in its own right. College started sharply, building a 15–0 lead. Jeppe threatened a comeback, but strong forward play wrestled back control and stretched the margin convincingly.
Pretoria Boys High 35–34 SACS.
A Thriller to Close – Candies Edge SACS. A proper festival day finish.
More than just the scoreline, it was what the game represented. Schoolboy rugby has a way of turning fortunes quickly, and SACS look like a side building towards something serious in 2027.
They played with composure and heart.
Boys High, meanwhile, showcased their attacking quality. Their handling was sharp, their movement fluid, and their ability to shift the point of attack created real problems. The skill level allowed for more layered, technical attacking patterns — and it showed.
The match ebbed and flowed. At 20–all, it was anyone’s game. The home side edged ahead, build a two-score margin via two tries. SACS clawed one back through their never-say-die determination, before a late penalty to the Candies proved decisive.
SACS refused to go away, crossing again at the death to keep everyone on edge — but it wasn’t quite enough.
A one-point game. A fitting end. And a great advert for the festival.