I was lucky enough last weekend at the SACS Wynberg derby to stand next to the man himself, Mr. Ray Connellan, the father of the Cape Schools Rugby Week. We were both looking back at a history of this wonderful event and reminding ourselves how lucky we are in SA to have such amazing school rugby.
For the record, I was one of a rare group that played in two Cape Schools Weeks. First in Cape Town in 1984, hosted by SACS, and then again two years later in 1986 hosted by Dale College, my school. So being an Eastern Cape boy with firm Cape Town roots, I can give you a perspective from both sides. This week is like no other. In my opinion it outweighs the prestigious Craven Week. I also played two of those, in 1986 and 1987 for Border. My memories of Cape Schools are far stronger than that of Craven Week. Maybe because it’s all about your school. You’re playing with your friends, and you are being tested by some of the best schoolboy teams in the country.
I’ve already mentioned on this site some of my memories of playing against SACS, but I should add, as a Dale College boy, we felt very amped coming down to Cape Town to show off what we could do. I imagine it’s no different now, and those boys in the familiar Red and Black of Dale, will be very strong opponents. The same goes for Queens and Selborne, and of course Grey. Muir sometimes boasts itself as being the oldest school in the country (seriously, you should go check their history). With that comes lots of rugby tradition. All these schools will show the passion that the best of the Eastern Cape offers. It’s not surprising that Dale can boast some great players from the past. Like HO De Villiers, and more recently, Keegan Daniel of the Sharks. In fact Greg Somerville, the Crusaders and All Blacks prop was at Dale in his final year of school. Queens also had a powerhouse of a prop in Robbie Kempson. One of their best was in fact Darryl Cullinan, who I played against at school. As a flyhalf he was selected for WP U20 while at Maties, but he chose cricket as his first love, with good reason. Selborne boasts having Keith Andrews and his cousin Mark, of World Cup 95 fame. More recently, Rory Kockott of the Sharks shows what the Selbornians are capabale of. Another mate of mine, Dave Callaghan was a fantastic centre for Grey High in his day. Mike Catt the legendary England flyhalf and centre, is also a Grey boy. Garth Wright, Springbok scrumhalf in the early 90’s was a Muir College boy.
The history and pedigree that these schools bring to SACS for this week is massive. You will see it on the field, and I am sure that each game on each day will be a real treat for us the spectators. My heart still beats strongly for the Eastern Cape schools, but having spent over 20 years in Cape Town, and with my own son being at SACS, I have to admit that my blood is a little blue. I will be particularly interested in the Monday game between SACS and Dale. Anyone brave enough to predict the score on that one?
To the schools participating, (and let us not forget our other visitors from the Cape, Paarl Gim, Boland Landbou, Rondebosch and Wynberg), from all of us at SACSRUGBY.COM we wish you a very enjoyable and safe festival of rugby. Play hard, and fair, and keep your school’s colours flying strong!!!
JOHN MULLINS
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