There is a rainbow at the end of what, by Grey College’s exceptionally high standards, proved to be a tough 2026 season.
Former head coach Wessel du Plessis will return to his alma mater on 1 November 2026, this time in the role of Director and Head of Rugby Affairs.
Wessel left Grey during the Covid-stricken 2020 season. At the time, he was arguably the leading coach in schoolboy rugby, having guided Grey to two unbeaten seasons in 2018 and 2019. This came after he had himself pointed out just how difficult it was becoming for leading 1st XVs to complete a perfect season.
His record as Grey’s 1st XV head coach from 2014 to 2020 speaks for itself. Remarkably, more than half of his seven defeats during that period came in 2015, when Grey endured an injury-plagued campaign.
Those who know Wessel, and those who have worked alongside him, will readily identify with a man who possesses an incredible work ethic. Although he was Grey’s head coach, his involvement extended far beyond the 1st XV, with his influence felt across the age groups.
And despite all the success, he remains a top guy – humble, likeable and highly respected.
His return is going to be HUGE for Grey’s rugby programme.
One would also expect that, package-wise, Grey will be taking good care of him.
Elsewhere Old Grey coach involved in schoolboy rugby at the top tier level have made headlines in 2026.
Jannie du Plessis, after a difficult start as a 1st XV head coach, has helped Monument return to the summit of Noordvaal rugby by securing the school’s 11th Cup title.
In Middelburg, Christiaan Gouws has made the most of his opportunities, helping Middies retain their place in the Premier League – an achievement that was certainly no given and no mean feat.
And in KwaZulu-Natal, Michael Horak has done sterling work within the Sharks’ junior structures. He has also assisted Grey as part of the panel involved in identifying the school’s top rugby staff. Now Horak will take the helm at Hilton College.
There is a good feel about Grey College’s old boys making an impact in school coaching well beyond Bloemfontein.
And with Wessel returning, Grey’s rugby programme looks set to enter a new and potentially very exciting chapter.
I will be very interested to see how Horak applies himself at Hilton. Their DNA is so unique, it will be fascinating to see if he replicates that or applies change. Change requires supporter patience – do the Hilton community have that?