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24 Years of International Education
Old Boy' Weekend
Bringing between 5000 and 6000 people onto the campus on a Saturday sounds like a crazy thing to do, and it would be crazy if it were not for the months of preparation and personal commitment from a whole team of staff and boys.
Putting everything on the line is what St Charles College seems to do best, and I am incredibly proud of – and grateful to – our staff, boys and parents who helped us host seven different schools, and our Old Boys, on a perfect weekend.
What an incredible experience and day for Pietermaritzburg! – Mr Allen van Blerk (Principal)
Rugby vs Maritzburg College
Old Boys’ Day 2025 was always destined to be special, marking the 150th year of St Charles College. And on a packed Old Orchard’s field in Pietermaritzburg, the spectacle delivered on every front – electric rugby, passionate supporters, and a celebration of tradition that will live long in the memory.
The match itself got off to a blistering start. St Charles College wasted no time in stamping their authority, launching into an early lead with a brilliantly executed set-piece move straight off the training ground. From a five-man line-out, fly-half A.J. Bosman unleashed a pinpoint cross-field kick that found Likuthi Mbalana in space. Mbalana gathered and raced in to score under the posts, sending the home crowd into raptures.
From minute one to minute 70, the game crackled with intensity. Both sides played with fearless urgency, delivering bone-rattling collisions on both attack and defence. The commitment on display was unmistakable – two proud schools throwing everything into a contest that meant more than just points on a board. In the end, Maritzburg College edged the contest, claiming a hard-fought 26 – 16 victory. But the scoreline only tells part of the story. St Charles College’s standouts were many on the day. A.J. Bosman, wearing the number 10 jersey, not only orchestrated play with poise but also racked up 11 valuable points from the tee. Around him, the likes of Sili Nciza, Matthew Naude, Eben Crafford, Raphael Ajibade, and Athi Qumo delivered massive performances, each playing their part in a real team effort. But more than individual brilliance, it was a full 15-man display – every player stepping up, every tackle contested, every inch fought for.
Off the field, the atmosphere was nothing short of electric. The stands at Old Orchards were heaving, packed to the rafters with old and current boys, families, friends, and supporters from every corner of the community. It was a day when everyone played their part, creating a wall of noise and energy that lifted the players and honoured the legacy of St Charles College. A heartfelt thank you must go to Maritzburg College, who brought their full-hearted competitiveness and sportsmanship to a derby steeped in rich history. This age-old rivalry once again showed its worth, and we look forward to many more chapters in the years ahead.
Finally, to the St Charles boys: thank you for leaving it all out there and for wearing the jersey with pride, leaving it in an even better place for the next battle. The spirit of St Charles College shone brightly on Saturday 10 May – on and off the field. – Mr Craig Dwyer (Head Coach)
Hockey vs Maritzburg College
The 1st team hockey match, St Charles College vs Maritzburg College, took place on the Friday night of Old Boys’ Weekend in front a large crowd and an electric atmosphere on the newly named Beckett Astro.
The boys in Blue and Gold came flying out the blocks in front of their home crowd and managed to dominate the early phase of the game, winning a number of short corners and creating some good goalscoring opportunities. Unfortunately, the ball wouldn’t find the back of the net, either being saved by the Maritzburg College keeper or ricocheting off the post. The Saints players would come to regret those missed opportunities later on.
Going into the 2nd and 3rd quarters, the game evened out, but St Charles still worked hard to transfer pressure onto the College defence. This did leave gaps at the back, and Maritzburg College capitalised. Their forwards were electric and combined really well, causing havoc in the Saints back line.
They managed to score 3 goals in as many attempts. An indication of how clinical the College strikers were. Neither team stopped their aggression, and it showcased some excellent hockey from both sides with the ball moving from one end of the field to the other. Again, St Charles College were not able to capitalise on the opportunities while Maritzburg College managed to score a further 2, with the final score ending 5 – 0.
It was an exciting game for all spectators to watch – one that showcased tremendous attacking ability from both teams, though only one managed to capitalise. A thrilling Friday night spectacle, and we look forward to the next one. – Mr Matthew Coombes (Head Coach)
Primary School Rugby on Old Boys' Day
It was an absolute pleasure to welcome and host our closest neighbours, Scottsville, for a morning of rugby. With the SCC boys playing barefoot, they had to adapt well and ensure their defence lines were correctly aligned as the Scottsville boys played attacking rugby throughout. There were some extremely close games, and we are grateful to them for this.
Congratulations to our Saints teams for a thoroughly enjoyable and successful morning of rugby, where the hard work over the last few weeks is starting to reap many benefits. The 1st XV match was a hard-fought, close affair with the SCC team managing to win 17 – 0. Thank you to Scottsville for joining us.
We would also like to thank all the Old Boys who joined in the Prep Rugby and to some Senior School brothers who were often seen in the half time huddles. This added to a very special day. – Mr Gegg Cole-Edwardes
(Head of Prep Sport)
Junior Primary Curtain Raiser
One of the most anticipated moments on our calendar unfolded once again this year as our Grade 1 and 2 boys took to Old Orchards for their annual internal rugby curtain raiser on Old Boys Day.
This tradition is more than just a match – it’s a highlight of the year for our Wild Pups. The chance to play on the same field as the 1st XV, in front of a cheering crowd and alongside the energy of the Old Boys Day celebrations, creates an atmosphere that’s nothing short of electric.
What makes it even more special is the incredible support from our Old Boys, parents, and the High School boys. For our Wild Pups, running out to that level of encouragement and school spirit is an experience they’ll never forget. It’s a powerful reminder of the golden thread that runs through every phase of a St Charles boy’s journey.
The matches themselves were exhilarating, filled with spirited runs, determined tackles, and the kind of passion only the Wild Dogs can bring to the game. With smiles as wide as the try lines they crossed; it was clear this was a memory they’ll hold onto for years to come.
Events like these are what make St Charles College rugby truly special – building pride, confidence, and tradition from the very beginning of each boy’s journey. – Mr Joel Barron (Junior Primary Sport)
Pre-Primary School Dads and Lads Rugby
Our Grade 0 and 00 boys kicked off Old Boys’ Day with something truly special – our annual Dads and Lad’s rugby morning on Old Orchards!
With proud dads by their sides, our young Saints scored their first of many tries on the very same field that legends of the College have played on. It was a morning full of tries, high-fives, and unforgettable moments between fathers and sons.
We were also joined by our High School 1st XV head coach, Mr Craig Dwyer, as we officially launched our St Charles College Ball-for-All campaign – an initiative to place a Wild Dogs, Gilbert rugby ball in the hands of every boy from Grade 000 to Grade 7. Here’s to connection, tradition, and growing a lifelong love for the game! – Mr Joel Barron (Junior Primary Sport)
Live Music on Old Boys' Day
Old Boys Day on Saturday was enriched by a full day of outstanding live music from the roof of the Observatory Café. The programme featured a dynamic blend of solo performances and ensemble pieces, creating a vibrant and uplifting atmosphere that resonated throughout the campus.
Highlights included exceptional contributions from our High School Bands, Chamber Choir, Orchestra, and Percussion Band. The calibre of performance, both from individual musicians and groups, was truly remarkable and added immense value to the spirit and celebration of the day. – Mr Pierre Frenzel (Head of Music)
Rugby from Scrummies through to Matric
Give a little boy a ball of any shape and size, loads of space and a big brother to play with and he is in his element! Being part of a through school means that our Scrummies boys are able to use all the facilities available on our 35-hectare campus. They are also lucky enough to have opportunities to visit with the older boys of our College and learn from their “big brothers”.
On Thursday our Scrummies boys had a “ball” when we gave them a chance to explore the art of kicking, throwing and catching with some of SCC’s First XV players on “Old Orchards”, our home of rugby.
We are never sure who has the most fun, the little boys or their older heroes. What we do know is that this was another chance to make unforgettable memories, whilst learning and having oodles of fun! – Mrs Liesl Meter (Head of Pre-Primary)
Collaboration Concert
On Thursday evening, the Norma Burns Hall at Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School came alive with the sound of music, as GHS and St Charles College joined forces for a spectacular collaboration concert.
The evening opened with the St Charles College Senior Band, whose polished performance and excellent musicianship set the tone for the night. Their vibrant set of three songs captivated the packed audience, earning enthusiastic applause. Next on stage was the GHS Choir, delivering a moving and well-rehearsed performance. The first half concluded with the St Charles College High School Choir, whose contribution added greatly to the musical richness of the evening. Their performance featured strong ensemble work, flowing harmonies, and a sense of togetherness that resonated with the audience.
The second half began with the elegant sounds of the GHS String Ensemble, who’s refined playing added depth and grace to the evening’s programme. The concert concluded with the ever-impressive St Charles College Chamber Choir. Fresh off their gold achievement at the ATKV Applous Choir Competition, they delivered a spellbinding performance that left the audience in awe and brought the evening to a triumphant close. It was truly an unforgettable evening of music; a celebration of talent, collaboration, and the power of young musicians to move and inspire. – Mr Pierre Frenzel (Head of Music)
Chamber Choir Acheives Gold
Last Tuesday, our Chamber Choir was awarded a well-deserved Gold at the annual ATKV National Choir Competition. The event, hosted at Grace College, was a celebration of choral excellence and a testament to the dedication and artistry of the 16 choristers and their conductor, Mr Tazlo Jacobs.
As part of the competition requirements, the choir performed a prescribed Afrikaans piece titled Die Blink Vosperd. In addition, they presented a diverse and engaging programme that included DANCE!, Neem My in My Beskerming, and concluded with uThando, le Lerato.
It was an outstanding evening of music, thoroughly enjoyed by a warm and appreciative audience. – Mr Pierre Frenzel (Head of Music)
Science and Engineering Club
This week, the innovative minds in our Science and Engineering Club kicked off an exciting new challenge: The construction of a self-standing catapult, capable of launching a spherical object as far as possible in a straight line.
The boys have already begun their preliminary designs and builds, showing great creativity, teamwork, and experimentation with engineering
principles.
Stay tuned for our results. Next week, our budding Engineers will be finalising their designs. We’re eager to see how far these clever contraptions can go! – Ms Sandipa Bhikraj
