Fresh off a stirring come-from-behind victory over Framesby, Grey High faces the ultimate challenge when they travel to Bloemfontein to tackle Grey College in one of South African schools’ rugby’s most prestigious derby fixtures on Saturday at 14:00.
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The Gqeberha outfit displayed remarkable character last weekend, scoring two tries in the closing five minutes to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat against their local rivals. However, they know there will be little room for error against a Grey College side that remains one of the country’s traditional powerhouses.
While the Bloemfontein team has produced mixed results this season, they continue to set the benchmark for many schoolboy rugby programmes and will be highly motivated for the annual clash with their brother school.
Grey High coach Matt King believes the dramatic win over Framesby highlighted the resilience his players have developed this season.
“The boys showed real character to come from behind in an extremely difficult environment,” he said. “This group has developed a never-say-die attitude that has become part of our culture.”
King said his side would not be making major adjustments despite the different conditions expected on the Highveld.
“Our plans have not really changed. We feel it is important to stick to the basics and focus on execution rather than innovation.”
Although Grey High has not beaten Grey College since their memorable victory in Gqeberha in 2014, King believes his players are ready to embrace the occasion.
“I feel the boys are in a great headspace and are confident they can put Grey College under pressure. The expectation will always be that they are firm favourites, but we are looking forward to the challenge.”
Grey College coach Jannie Geldenhuys echoed the excitement surrounding the fixture. “This is always a special derby against our brother school,” he said. “Our season has had its ups and downs, but we are very pleased with where the boys are at the moment.
“We have had an exceptional week of preparation and, after many of the players were involved in provincial rugby during the holidays, everyone is excited to wear the Grey jersey again.”
Geldenhuys also warned against reading too much into past results.
“Grey High has shown excellent development over the past few years, and we know they are a quality outfit this season. Fixtures like these have a special history, and derby matches have a way of evening out the playing field.”
History may favour the hosts, but Grey High’s dramatic victory over Framesby has given them fresh belief that they can challenge one of South African school rugby’s biggest names in another chapter of this celebrated rivalry.
The last 10 results have been (no matches in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19):
2014: Grey High won 27-20 in Gqeberha
2015: Grey College won 32-21 in Bloem
2016: Grey College won 33-7 in Gqeberha
2017: Grey College won 73-10 in Bloem
2018: Grey College won 63-8 in Gqeberha
2019: Grey College won 58-0 in Bloem
2022: Grey College won 52-34 in Bloem
2023: Grey College won 38-14 in Gqeberha
2024: Grey College won 41-27 in Bloem
2025: Grey College won 48-15 in Gqeberha
Teams:
Grey College: 15 Lamla Mgedezi, 14 Jaco Oosthuizen, 13 Eddie Mabena, 12 Ruan Roux, 11 Caden Janse van Rensburg, 10 Christoff Crous, 9 Jonathan Drysdale, 8 Niel du Randt, 7 Henru Erasmus, 6 Xander de Beer, 5 Prestan Bennett, 4 Alexi Tyropolis 3 JW Coetzee, 2 AJ Hendricks, 1 Hennie Bredenhann.
Grey High: 15 Michael Nyandoro, 14 Noah Mbizi, 13 Sibulele Ngebulana, 12 Ciaran Killian, 11 Michael Oosthuizen, 10 Nathan Trytsman, 9 Ryan Swarbrick, 8 Zola Yeye, 7 Cole Bennett, 6 Blake Parker, 5 Jean Nel, 4 Joandre van Jaarsveld, 3 Juan Potgieter, 2 Micah Wessels, 1 Daniel Naude.
