March 2026
For the 32nd consecutive year, St Benedict’s College has reaffirmed its dominance in South African school rowing, claiming the national championship title in spectacular fashion.
From 6 to 8 March 2026 at Roodeplaat Dam, the Johannesburg-based Catholic school for boys faced fierce competition from 35 schools and clubs — including four from Zimbabwe — and 1 203 athletes across three days of intense racing. Despite the challenge from 14 boys’ schools, the Bennies once again proved their unrivalled pedigree.
A Clean Sweep Across All Age Groups
The 2026 championships saw St Benedict’s take first place in every age group: U14, U15, U16, and U19. The school’s commitment to excellence also earned the title of best sculling school of the tournament.
A standout moment came from the U14 Octuple, which not only claimed gold but also shattered the previous course record by seven seconds. This momentum carried through to the senior events, with victories in both the 1st Eight and 2nd Eight races.
At the end of the weekend, St Benedict’s amassed 402 points, confirming its position as South Africa’s top boys’ rowing school. King Edward VII School (KES) and St John’s College placed second and third respectively. Among girls’ schools, St Andrew’s School for Girls topped the podium, followed by St Mary’s School Waverley and St Benedict’s sister school, Holy Rosary.
Leading from the Front
In the highly coveted 1st Eight race, Captain Michael Teixeira and Vice-Captain James McDonald led their crew to a decisive victory. Teixeira’s leadership ensured the crew performed seamlessly under pressure.
The victorious 1st Eight crew:
Callum Brudvig, Michael Teixeira, Connor Schoeman, Diego Ramos, Wakhile Zwane, James McDonald, Graham Whetton, Cristiano Nortje, Michele Rohrbeck.
A Community Celebration
Reflecting on the win, St Benedict’s old boy and rowing club head, Darryn Roff, said:
“After a challenging season, we are so proud of how well our boys performed. The long hours from boys, parents, and coaches truly paid off. We congratulate our sister schools, Holy Rosary and Assumption Convent, on their grit and determination throughout this regatta.”
Roff, also President of the South African Schools Rowing Union (SASRU), added:
“The weekend brought together the rowing community from across Southern Africa, and we are grateful to everyone who makes this event a success. Junior rowing continues to build community and camaraderie across the region.”
College Head Dave Jeffrey commented:
“This 32-year streak is built on unwavering dedication and a culture of excellence. Watching our boys row is a symphony of synchronised blades — a sight to behold. This milestone will be celebrated for years to come.”
