Rugby: St Andrews College Celebrate 125 years on Lower Field

St Andrew’s College is proud of its rich history, one of which is the fact that the school was one of the first in South Africa to play rugby. The first recorded match was played against the Public School (the Graeme College of today) in 1878. Walter Hayton, representing St Andrew’s College, ceremoniously initiated the match with a kick-off on a Saturday afternoon, April 13th, at 3:50 pm. Despite a valiant effort, St Andrew’s College succumbed to a narrow defeat, losing by one try (3 points) to one goal (5 points). This historic encounter set the stage for a longstanding rivalry, marking the beginning of a tradition that has lasted for over a century and a half.

Lower, a cherished field since its acquisition in 1897, is home to many special sporting events. Thanks are owed to the generosity of Sir Jacob Barry, who, as the Chairman of Council, bestowed the land as a gift to St Andrew’s College. The transformation of the rocky, scrubby terrain into a playable field required significant effort, with eager boys assisting in its preparation. Despite initial challenges with poor grass growth due to dry weather, diligent efforts eventually yielded a suitable rugby field by 1899 which hosted more regular fixtures from 1900.