The second term’s rugby fixtures close with a bang on the Piley Rees on Saturday, with the Bish-Bosch derby in the spotlight.
Since a thrilling 37-36 win at Durbanville, Bishops has suffered consecutive big defeats, going down 3-68 to Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) and 5-59 to Stellenberg High. While those were one-sided losses, many would place PRG and the Jade Brigade among the top three teams in the county in 2026.
Rondebosch Boys’ High was more competitive against Paul Roos and Stellenberg, whom they also faced on consecutive weekends in April, losing 17-41 to PRG and 26-33 to Stellies.
More recently, they overpowered Milnerton High 63-7 and Hoërskool Durbanville 55-19. They have been in better form, and they will go into Saturday’s clash as the favourite.
The match kicks off at 12:30.
The visitors’ inside centre, Tyler Heyns, will be one to watch. Last weekend, he collected a try, which was just reward for an intense shift in the midfield, where he led the charge to shut down the Millies‘ attack.
Captain and openside flank, Linakho Mehlomakulu, is a workhorse who will aim to disarm Bishops of possession at the breakdown. In a close contest, a few turnovers could have a big impact on the result.
Bishops’ captain and inside centre Boytjie Fyfer has a big role to play opposite Tyler Heyns. His midfield partner, outside centre, Eljaron Geduld, will also challenge the ‘Bosch defence.
While Bishops is undoubtedly the underdog, derby matches are notoriously unpredictable to call, which means it will likely be more closely contested than the team’s records against common opponents might suggest.
The teams:
Diocesan College: 15 Miyolo Ngculu, 14 Danny Newton, 13 Eljaron Geduld, 12 Boytjie Fyfer (captain), 11 Lulibo Nyawula, 10 Christiaan Toweel, 9 Jack Fleck, 8 Jack Venter, 7 Ethan Venter, 6 Connor Calrk, 5 Blake Gallie, 4 Dan Coetzee, 3 Jarred Kowen, 2 Joe Lanning, 1 Jack Hibling.
Rondebosch Boys’ High: 15 Shellvon Mabooi, 14 Jayden Wyngaard, 13 Kelebogile Nkwana, 12 Tyler Heyns (captain), 11 Caleb Bell, 10 Eathon Williams, 9 Daniel Arendse, 8 Kirwan November, 7 James Pinnock, 6 Linakho Mehlomakulu, 5 Bertus Versfeld, 4 Bjorn Morkel, 3 Anesu Muswandigere, 2 Kwaza Gobingca, 1 Finn Watermeyer.
