The 2026 Independent Schools Rugby Festival, brought to you by Absa, drew to a close on Wednesday with the 168th game starting at its scheduled time, which was quite remarkable, given the challenges of playing matches across four age groups, on five fields, over two-and-a-half days.
It was a daunting task for the organising team at St David’s Marist Inanda, but they pulled it off so successfully that it was decided at the Independent Schools’ AGM on Tuesday that this format – with all three senior age groups playing at the same venue – will be repeated next year when the festival moves to St Andrew’s School in Bloemfontein.
Michaelhouse notched up 40 points-plus scorelines in all three of their games and were by far the best side on view. They beat the English visitors Eton College 43-10, St David’s 57-20, and St Stithians 57-20. St Stithians went into the game against ‘House with two wins under their belts, but they were well-beaten.
St John’s College also finished with three wins, defeating Kingswood College, CBC Boksburg, and Somerset College.
In the junior age groups, St Charles looked strongest. Their u14 and u15 teams both won all three of their games. Among the schools that won two out of three in the junior age groups were St John’s and St Andrew’s School.
Results:
Under-14
St David’s Blue 29 St Andrew’s School 26
Cornwall Hill 27 St David’s White 5
St Stithians 56 CBC Boksburg 0
St John’s 34 Kingswood 17
St Alban’s 36 Somerset College 35
St Charles 64 St Benedict’s 11
Under-15
St Charles 54 St Andrew’s School 0
St David’s 61 Lions XV 5
St John’s 24 Somerset College 0
Michaelhouse 24 St Benedict’s 12
Alex Wolves 45 Kingswood 17
Under-18
Michaelhouse 45 St Stithians 14
Bishops 33 St Charles 28
St Andrew’s School 25 St Benedict’s 12
St David’s 20 Eton 17
St Andrew’s Barbarians 21 Eton II 20
St John’s 52 Somerset College 28
St Davids II 12 CBC Boksburg 12
Cornwall Hill 21 St Alban’s 14
Golden Lions XV 55 Kingswood 38
