Grey High School

Rugby has come along way since the uncertainty it faced in the late 1890’s, and despite the proud cricketing tradition we enjoy, has become the dominant sport at our proud school. Annually we field 8 open teams, and between 4 or 5 teams in the U14, U15 and U16 teams.

New staff and pupils are usually quizzed as to what level of rugby they’ve played and where they have coached before any mention is made of the core business of academics! The winter sporting calendar is eagerly anticipated, and consists of regular “Derby Days” against schools across the Eastern and Western Capes.

Ancient Rivals include Selborne College; Queen’s College, Dale College and St Andrew’s College, while newer rivals include our brother school Grey College from Bloemfontein and the 51 Springbok strong Paul Roos Gymansium (who we have beaten 3 years in a row!) Wynberg Boys High; Graeme College; Hoerskool Framesby and HTS Daniel Pienaar round off our list of annual rivals.

Our annual rugby festival attracts some of the top talent in South Africa, and we have competed in the annual Wildeklawer Festival for the Top 20 ranked schools in South Africa. While rankings are always contentious, they are viewed as a barometer of our level of rugby excellence and willingness to take on the best in the nation.

In 2018 Grey High produced over 30 representatives in Eastern Province youth teams, including the U18 Craven Week and Academy teams, Grant Khomo U16 team, EP U17 7’s team and Eastern Province Kings U19 team

Origins of Rugby at Grey

While some sort of football was played on the rough ground of the Donkin Reserve in front of the Grey Institute after its establishment in 1856, early Rectors Thurlow and Johnson both reportedly not caring much for the unscientific and rough games the boys played. The first official rugby match took place on the 16th of September in 1893, against the Muir Academy.

Initially rugby was played in black coats and straw hats, and a report in 1895 stated that the greatest problem rugby faced at the Grey was a “the lack of rivalry which would prove strong enough to develop excellence.” By 1897 Grey were entered into the men’s third league, but then went into the doldrums as Association Football or Soccer enjoyed prominence until 1908.

Three events occurred which allowed rugby to muscle its way into the psyche of our school – Port Elizabeth hosting the Currie Cup tournament and a test against England, and the arrival of JC Hops, Ht “Boetie” Gamble and NS “Tienie” Krige onto the Grey staff.

Things developed quickly from here, and by 1933 Grey had its first Springboks Bunny Reid, Fred Smollan and Fred Turner. Their team manager was Wally Mangennis, an Old Grey who had captained the 1st XV for four seasons! Rugby initially found its home at the Crusader Ground at St George’s Park.

This relationship extended after the move to the school’s present site in College Drive – as Rector Way would not have rugby played on the cricket fields! Thankfully rugby has found its home on the Philip Field, and long may it remain.

Rugby Traditions

• Only the first XV wear numbers on their Azure jerseys and white change strip.
• 1st XV players are “capped” on the occasion of their first start for the first XV. This tradition was reintroduced in 2011 after an absence of more than 50 years. Each cap is individually numbered and kept by the player – no doubt a keepsake in the making!
• The first XV walks over the 1st XV steps to alert the supporter’s stand of their impending entrance to the Philip Field. These steps are cordoned off, and only opened just before kick off on a Saturday. You earn the right to use them!
• The same 1st XV mascot has been in use since the mid 1970’s.