Honouring our past, celebrating our present and inspiring future generations.
On Monday, 5 October 2026, St Benedict’s College celebrated a significant milestone in its sporting history with the unveiling and blessing of its newly revamped changerooms.
More than an upgrade to our sporting facilities, this project represents the closing of a chapter, the preservation of a proud legacy and the beginning of an exciting new era for Bennies sport.
For decades, our changerooms have been an integral part of the Bennies experience. Generations of boys have passed through their doors before taking to the field to represent the College in soccer, cricket and rugby. These spaces have witnessed pre-match nerves, team talks, celebrations, friendships and countless memories.
While the old changerooms make way for a new era, their history will never be forgotten. Honours boards displaying the names of boys who have represented the College across all three sporting codes will ensure that the achievements of past generations remain a source of pride and inspiration for those who follow.
The redevelopment has transformed both our home changerooms and those used by visiting teams, reflecting our commitment to providing excellent facilities and making every team that visits our campus feel welcome. A message on the wall captures this spirit perfectly:
“Welcome to our home. Different badges, same passion!”
The new facilities were blessed by our school chaplain, Fr Thabo Mothiba, at a special gathering attended by members of the Board, the school executive, parents of current and incoming captains across soccer, cricket and rugby, their sons and Old Boys of the College.
The occasion brought together members of the Bennies family across generations to celebrate a project that honours our heritage while looking confidently towards the future.
The significance of this milestone was particularly evident during Homecoming Week, when 30 Old Boys from the Class of 1986 returned to walk the school grounds. They marvelled at how a once-small school has transformed into one of South Africa’s well-resourced educational institutions. A week before the official unveiling, these alumni were also fortunate to catch an early glimpse of the new changerooms — a reminder of just how far the College has come.
Among the Old Boys who joined in the celebration was Jarred Taylor, from the Class of 2003, who holds a special place in Bennies sporting history as the College’s first Craven Week rugby player. Standing proudly beside his jersey number, Taylor beamed with pride at what the College has become, sharing: “Walking through the new Bennies rugby changerooms and tunnel, 23 years after my own playing days, I felt a deep sense of yearning and gratitude. As boys, we seldom realise how much the places, spaces and faces around us will shape our lives. Our changerooms were simple, but we loved them. Standing in the new facility, I could still feel the gees, hear the encouragement of coaches and teammates, and imagine the chant from the stands: ‘Here we go, Bennies—here we go!’ I’m incredibly grateful that today’s boys will enjoy these facilities and build memories of their own. Perhaps, 23 years from now, they will return with that same longing and thankfulness. God bless the players who use these changerooms. May this place strengthen them and remind them that they are Bennies boys, part of a brotherhood they will carry throughout their lives.” His presence and words served as a powerful reminder of the enduring connection between the boys who came before us and those who carry the Bennies name forward today.
For our Head of Sport, Andrew Barnes, the occasion was deeply emotional. A project that had been a couple of years in the making had finally become a reality. Seeing the dream come to fruition was a moment of immense pride, reflecting the vision, commitment and dedication invested in creating facilities that will serve generations of Bennies boys to come.
At the heart of the new changerooms is a message that speaks to every boy who represents the College. Emblazoned on the wall are the words:
“Leave nothing undared.”
Taken from a quote by our founding father, St Eugene de Mazenod, these words are more than a motto. They are a challenge to every Bennies boy to embrace every opportunity, face every challenge with courage and give his very best in representing his school. Whether stepping onto the field for the first time or competing in a major fixture, each boy is reminded of the responsibility and privilege of wearing the Bennies badge.
As the doors open to a new generation, these changerooms will become the setting for countless future memories, achievements and friendships. The honours boards will preserve the names of those who have gone before, while today’s boys will have the opportunity to add their own chapters to our proud sporting history.
The blessing and unveiling of the new changerooms was about far more than modern facilities. It was a celebration of tradition, community, sporting excellence and the values that continue to shape the Bennies experience.
We honour the past, celebrate the present and look forward to the future with pride.
A new era has begun at Bennies. Different badges, same passion — and always, leave nothing undared.
