Category: Rugby

Union High School welcomed Westering High School to Graaff-Reinet this past Saturday for a full day of rugby and hockey fixtures, marking an exciting return to sport after the winter break.

The matches were played in great spirit, with both schools competing hard throughout the day.

Our rugby teams enjoyed a successful outing, recording victories in four of the five fixtures.

The U14A side got the day off to an excellent start with a 28-5 win, while the U15A team fought hard before going down 12-19. The U16A side responded with a convincing 21-10 victory, followed by another strong performance from the 2nd XV, who claimed a 33-13 win.

The 1st XV rounded off the afternoon in style with an impressive 35-17 victory over a physical Westering outfit, with Calum Jacobs named Man of the Match.

1st XV Report

Despite the strong start from Westering, Union remained composed and struck back with two quick tries. A few basic errors allowed the opposition back into the match, making for a closely contested first half.

At the break, the boys stayed calm and focused. With a few simple adjustments to both their defensive and attacking structures, Union found their rhythm. Sustained, clinical pressure throughout the second half saw Union dominate proceedings, ultimately securing a well-deserved 35–17 victory.

It was an excellent start to the term’s rugby season, with the team showing resilience, composure, and determination.
Well done to every player who wore the green and white with pride today.

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴, 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘧𝘧, 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘞𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘏𝘪𝘨𝘩 𝘚𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘱 𝘵𝘰 𝘎𝘳𝘢𝘢𝘧𝘧-𝘙𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘵.

Rugby Report: Graeme College vs Union High xv

On Saturday, we faced one of the top rugby schools in the Eastern Cape, Graeme College. The final score was 51–10, a tough result that reflects not only the strength of our opponents but also the challenges within our own team.

From the outset, the boys were intimidated—and understandably so. Fear translated into poor defence and a lack of ball possession. Graeme controlled the game, forcing us to defend for nearly the entire match. While a few players stood out with brave, hard-hitting tackles, too many others played as passengers, relying on teammates to do the work. This mind-set is disheartening, especially given the hours we dedicate each week to addressing problem areas. Rugby, like life, is about choices: choosing discipline, choosing responsibility, choosing to step up when it matters most.

The truth is, rugby is more than just a sport. It teaches lessons about teamwork, discipline, and resilience. You cannot succeed alone—you need teammates, just as in life you need friends to help you through struggles. It asks whether you can work hard when no one is watching, whether you have pride in your effort, or whether it’s easier to shrug and say, “I don’t care.” These are the values that make schoolboy rugby so important.

We had opportunities to change the game. Twice we intercepted the ball with clear chances to score under the poles. Had we converted, we would have added 14 points and shifted momentum in our favour. Instead, we faltered, lost hope, and performed worse as the match wore on. This is where grit comes in—life will always present moments to prosper, but it is how we seize those opportunities that determines whether we thrive or fail.

Perspective matters. It is easy to complain that life is tough, but there is always someone worse off who still finds joy and positivity. Rugby mirrors this truth: setbacks are inevitable, but growth comes when we accept responsibility, step out of our comfort zones, and refuse to blame others. We did not lose to Graeme College because we cannot win; we lost because we set ourselves up for failure. Until we change our mind-set, results will remain the same.

This defeat must serve as a wake-up call. Rugby is preparing us not just for matches, but for life itself. The question is: when will we learn, and when will we take responsibility?

Other results (UHS scores first):
U/11B: 0 – 47
U/11A: 15 – 22
U/13B: 0 – 52
U/13A: 17 – 50.
U14: 7 – 38
U15: 6 – 62
U16: 3 – 68
2^nd: 12 – 51

This past weekend, Union High’s 1st XV took on Andrew Rabie High School. The match ended in a disappointing 36–7 defeat.

Andrew Rabie arrived well-prepared, having studied our previous games, and they executed their set plays with precision. They outperformed us in most areas of the game. The only real strength we showed was in the scrums, where our forwards competed with determination and held their ground.

Unfortunately, beyond the scrum, our performance fell short. We struggled with basic skills:
Too many dropped balls disrupted our attack.
Lineouts were repeatedly lost through errors.
Defenders drifted inside instead of staying on their man, leaving gaps that were exploited.
Penalty kicks failed to find touch, costing us valuable territory.

As individuals failed to carry out their roles, trust within the team broke down, and effort levels dropped. This was the most disappointing aspect of the performance.

The lesson is clear: rugby success depends on discipline, teamwork, and mastering the fundamentals. Catching, passing, defending properly, and smart kicking are non-negotiable. Following instructions and trusting one another will prevent results like this.

While the defeat was heavy, the strength shown in the scrums gives us a foundation to build on. If we recommit to the basics and play as a united team, Union High can bounce back stronger in the matches ahead.

Let us take this setback as a lesson, not a limitation — and use it to fuel improvement and pride in the games to come.

More results:
U14 lost 6-0
U15 lost 3-49
U16 lost 6-38
2^nd lost 13-17

1^st team won 34 – 15

2^nd team won 34 – 23

U16 team lost 20 – 24

U15 team lost 28 – 36

U14 team won 16 – 7

Results of matches played on Tuesday, 19 May 2026

U/11A: The boys delivered an excellent performance to record a convincing 31–0 victory. Strong defence and well-executed attacking play ensured they controlled the match from start to finish.

U/13A: A dominant display from the U/13A side saw them cruise to a 53–0 win. The team combined powerful defence with exciting attacking rugby, running in several well-worked tries and keeping their opponents scoreless throughout. Grant Murray was brilliant scoring 4 tries.