In compiling a record of 11 wins and five defeats in 2026, Rondebosch Boys’ High has put together three streaks of three wins. On Saturday, they’ll be targeting a fourth and a double over their arch-rival, Bishops.
Despite some close matches, Bishops last tasted Bish-Bosch Derby success back in June 2023, when they won 13-8 away from home. Rondebosch subsequently won 36-35 on the Piley Rees Field, at Bishops.
Earlier this season, on the Piley Rees, Rondebosch scored a last-minute try through hooker Kwaza Gobingca to win 29-24.
This time out, Rondebosch hosts Bishops on the Tinkie Heyns Field, with kickoff in the King Price Derby Series match scheduled for 14:00.
Catch all the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools (www.supersportschools.com), or on DStv Channel 216.
The hosts are in good form heading into the last match of the season for both sides. Last Saturday, also on the Tinkie Heyns, they became the only southern suburbs school to beat Wynberg Boys’ High in 2026, scoring a hard-fought 33-29 victory.
Bishops’ head coach, Sam Mofokeng, said Rondebosch poses a significant challenge: “I like their forward play. They have good physicality and set-piece play, which builds good platforms for their backs.”
Hooker Liam Lewis and ‘Bosch’s rolling maul troubled Wynberg last week, with the number two dotting down twice. Kwaza Gobingca returns to start and is also a tough customer in the mauls. The visitors have had trouble stopping the rolling maul this season, and Rondebosch will target Bishops from their lineouts with two lethal hookers in the squad.
Rondebosch’s most dangerous and versatile back has been Caleb Bell. Agile and composed, he can find a way to finish, even in the tightest of spaces. He’s been dangerous when building speed from deep, and also around the fringes of rucks. He was one of Rondebosch’s scorers against Bishops in June.
The visitors have faced some tough opposition in the latter part of their campaign, and they’ve now lost five on the trot, including last week’s 22-55 loss to SACS. They’ll be desperate to avoid a sixth successive defeat.
Bishops’ captain Boytjie Fyfer has been trusted to guard the blindside flank again, while loosehead prop Sam Bey has been brought in for his scrummaging ability.
One of the keys to Rondebosch’s high-scoring ways has been their efficient distribution from rucks, which allows them to counterattack with speed. The visitors’ openside flank, Sam Gordon, will be expected to slow down their breakdown by challenging for the ball where possible. Of course, he’ll have to contend against the likes of ‘Bosch’s South Africa (SA) u18 A flank Linakho Mehlomakulu. He’s in outstanding form and gained some valuable experience with the national team.
Bishops’ coach Mofokeng shared some thoughts on the derby. “The fact that we walk to Rondebosch to play shows how close we are,” he said.
“The spirit in which the two schools compete is fierce, but always friendly.”
While Rondebosch will be favoured to add another win to their solid record on Saturday, their win against Bishops on 13 June wasn’t clinched until the very end of the match. In a derby clash, anything can happen.
Teams:
Rondebosch Boys’ High: 15 Eathon Williams, 14 Joshua Kirby, 13 Jayden Wyngaard, 12 Kelebogile Nkwana, 11 Caleb Bell, 10 Tyler Heyns, 9 Daniel Arendse, 8 James Pinnock, 7 Ben Gray, 6 Linakho Mehlomakulu, 5 Bertus Versfeld, 4 Sebastian Vermeulen, 3 Anesu Muswandigere, 2 Kwaza Gobingca, 1 Finn Watermeyer.
Diocesan College: 15 Miyolo Ngculu, 14 Danny Newton, 13 James Malan, 12 Christian Toweel, 11 Lulibo Nyawula, 10 Caleb Clark, 9 Jack Fleck, 8 Jono Horton, 7 Boytjie Fyfer (captain), 6 James Gordon, 5 Dan Coetzee, 4 Luke Hofmeyr, 3 Jack Hibling, 2 Joe Lanning, 1 Sam Bey.
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