It is known as one of South Africa’s rugby factories. A school that churns out Springbok players. According to some sources, Grey College has produced 49 fully capped Springboks in its history, with only Paul Roos topping them at 56.
Every school rugby team in South Africa who takes the development of their rugby programme seriously wants to test themselves against Grey College. First XV head coach Jannie Geldenhuys welcomes this competition.
“Every team shows up against us. We take it as a compliment and have a responsibility to keep the standards high,” he said ahead of the 2026 season.
There is almost an expectation for Grey College to win every match they play, but according to the veteran coach, they never lose sight of the fact that Grey College is an academic institution first.
“The focus is not on results but on the children we work with. We challenge players to be the best version of themselves, and the results will come naturally. There’s always an expectation to win on the scoreboard, and we’re not going to lose games deliberately, but success is in the opportunities we are able to create for the kids. Can it build their character? Can they become better people? Can we send good people into the country? Rugby is a tool to achieve this,” Geldenhuys said.
Grey face several early-season tests, with Oakdale presenting immediate challenges. The men from Bloemfontein will travel to Riversdal on 14 March for their first full fixture.
“It is always tough to play Oakdale away. Especially so early in the season. They will close the gates behind you, then you know you are locked in at the ‘plaas’,” he joked.
Oakdale is being tipped by many to break into the top five this season and a win against Grey College would go a long way to gain momentum for their season.
As the season progresses, the fixtures list reads like a who’s who in South African school rugby. The Bloemfonteiners will play Stellenberg, Helpmekaar, Noordheuwel and Jeppe at Noord-Suid and Wildeklawer, whilst rounding off the season against the other top five schools. (Paarl Gimnasium, Paarl Boys High, Affies and Paul Roos)
Geldenhuys acknowledged the increasingly competitive landscape of South African school rugby.
“Everyone in South Africa is becoming more competitive with more video material that is available, schools willing to spend more money on their rugby programmes, all the players are well conditioned. It challenges coaches to be better, to think up better plans,” he said.
Geldenhuys says he is privileged to work with so many gifted coaches within the school.
“The coaches are all good friends, we are like Samwise and Frodo. Everybody believes Frodo is the only hero, but Samwise is just as much a hero because he stays with Frodo. When coaches work together and don’t abandon each other, the children will reap the benefits,” he said.
Although the landscape at school level is starting to look more and more professional, Geldenhuys believes that the players must just go out and enjoy the game they love. He stressed that the players’ passion for the game must be preserved.
“We will be professional behind the scenes, the boys must just go out and enjoy it. There is always a clear goal for training and matches but as coaches we take the responsibility,” he said.
With the landscape getting more competitive every year, traditional powers within schools rugby will be tested to the limits. The big five schools such as Grey College seem to welcome this challenge.
