“This is a good school that tries to cultivate good people. I’ve seen it in my own child’s manners and behaviour. The school are unapologetic in it’s Christianity, I was drawn to that,”
These are the words of Schalk Ferreira, who takes the reins as St. Andrews School’s director of rugby from January 2026. He brings a wealth of professional experience to the Bloemfontein school traditionally renowned for hockey and cricket rather than rugby excellence.
Ferreira, who recently concluded his playing career as South Africa’s oldest professional rugby player, accepted the position after he was invited to apply for the role.
Born in Pretoria North and educated at Paul Roos Gymnasium, Ferreira’s rugby journey took him through the elite pathways of South African rugby. He represented Western Province at Craven Week level before progressing through SA Schools and SA Under-19 teams, ultimately earning a senior contract with the Stormers.
However, Ferreira’s career faced a devastating setback when a serious injury threatened to end his rugby aspirations entirely. During his rehabilitation period, he turned to coaching at Stellenbosch University, developing skills that would later prove invaluable in his new role.
In what Ferreira describes as a “miracle,” he mounted a comeback at age 27 under current Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus, subsequently joining the Southern Kings. His resilience and determination eventually led him to Free State, where he spent his final five years as a player, becoming a respected leader within the union.
Ferreira acknowledges that St. Andrews presents a unique challenge, as the school has never been considered a rugby powerhouse. “St. Andrews is traditionally a hockey and cricket school, with a strong squash programme as well,” Ferreira explained. “We’ve always played rugby, but we’re starting this journey basically from scratch.”
The new Director of Rugby has outlined ambitious long-term goals for the programme, with plans to establish a High Performance Centre for the school. However, he recognises that such developments require significant financial investment and time. “I’m taking this year to generate funding and establish the foundations. We currently have two teams in each year group, but I want to look at ways to increase participation across the board.”
Central to Ferreira’s vision is the establishment of a rugby culture at St. Andrews, potentially including initiatives such as touch rugby sessions on Fridays. “We need to build something sustainable and meaningful. This is the beginning of a new era for St. Andrews rugby.”
Ferreira draws inspiration from his personal experience as a parent at the school, having witnessed the positive impact St. Andrews has had on his own son’s character development. “I believe rugby serves as an excellent tool for developing good people with Jesus as the foundation.”
The veteran journeyman emphasises that building a successful programme will require patience and persistence. “We’ll only really start seeing the fruits of our labour after about five years. I’m looking at Leinster for inspiration. We need to excel in the areas that don’t require talent like work ethic, effort, and attitude.”
Ferreira plans to continue his involvement with Free State coaching while establishing the St. Andrews programme, bringing professional insights to the school environment. “I want to bring in specialists in various aspects to coach our coaches. First, I need to assess what resources we currently have before implementing changes.”
Despite the challenges ahead, Ferreira remains optimistic about St. Andrews’ potential. “There’s genuine reason for excitement here. We might be a sleeping giant waiting to be awakened. I’m committed to giving our players every opportunity to progress and develop, both as rugby players and as young men.”
The appointment represents a significant investment in rugby development at St. Andrews, with Ferreira’s professional experience and Christian values aligning perfectly with the school’s educational philosophy.
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