St Benedict’s College has once again cemented its dominance in South African school rowing, securing the national championship title for a remarkable 32nd consecutive year.
The championships, held at Roodeplaat Dam from March 6 to 8, 2026, brought together 1 203 athletes from 35 schools and clubs, including four from Zimbabwe, for three days of intense competition. Despite strong challenges from 14 boys’ schools, the Johannesburg-based institution maintained its longstanding pedigree in the national contest.
The 2026 regatta saw St Benedict’s deliver an emphatic performance, completing a clean sweep of the major age-group trophies. The school finished first in the U14, U15, U16 and U19 categories while also being named the best sculling school of the competition.
One of the standout moments of the weekend came from the junior division, where the U14 octuple crew not only claimed gold but also broke the previous course record by seven seconds. The success continued in the senior races, with St Benedict’s crews winning both the 1st Eight and 2nd Eight events.
When the final scores were tallied, St Benedict’s topped the standings with 402 points, confirming its status as South Africa’s leading boys’ rowing school. King Edward VII School finished second, while St John’s College secured third place.
In the girls’ division, St Andrew’s School for Girls claimed first place overall, followed by St Mary’s School Waverley and St Benedict’s sister school, Holy Rosary School.
The coveted 1st Eight race saw captain Michael Teixeira and vice-captain James McDonald lead their crew to victory. Teixeira’s leadership proved decisive in “getting the boys over the line", ensuring the team operated as a single, coordinated unit under pressure.
The winning 1st Eight crew consisted of Callum Brudvig, Michael Teixeira, Connor Schoeman, Diego Ramos, Wakhile Zwane, James McDonald, Graham Whetton, Cristiano Nortje and Michele Rohrbeck.
Reflecting on the achievement, St Benedict’s old boy and head of the school’s rowing club, Darryn Roff, praised the collective effort behind the victory.
“After a very challenging season, we are so proud of how well our boys performed this past weekend. The long hours from boys, parents, and coaches paid off. We wish to congratulate our sister schools, Holy Rosary and Assumption Convent, on a showcase of grit and determination throughout this regatta,” said Roff.
Roff, who also serves as president of the South African Schools Rowing Union, said the regatta remained an important gathering for the regional rowing community.
“The weekend brought together the rowing community from across Southern Africa, and we are thankful to all who made the weekend such a success. We look forward to finding ways to continue to build community through junior rowing in Southern Africa, such as organising more events, providing coaching resources, and fostering partnerships with local schools and clubs.”
College head Dave Jeffrey said the school’s 32-year championship streak reflects a culture built on dedication and broad participation across boat classes.
“Watching our boys row is truly a sight to behold, a symphony of synchronised blades that propelled them to the podium,” Jeffrey said.
“This achievement stands as a milestone for St Benedict's and will be celebrated for years to come.”
Saturday Star