Jeppe and KES Renew Century-Old Rivalry as Collard Field Hosts 101st Johannesburg Derby

Jeppe seeks to find their form against a surging KES side in one of South Africa’s oldest schoolboy rugby rivalries. Read the full match preview and analysis.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 10, 2026, 3:33 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Rugby365

A Historic Centenary Milestone in Johannesburg Rugby

The historic rivalry between Jeppe High School for Boys and King Edward VII School (KES) enters its next chapter this Saturday at Collard Field. This encounter marks the 101st meeting between the two institutions in a series that dates back to 1935. As two of the oldest schools in Johannesburg, the derby has evolved into a massive cultural event, often drawing crowds of up to 15,000 spectators. According to head coach Drickus Venter, the scale of the attendance frequently rivals that of professional provincial or United Rugby Championship fixtures, underscoring the deep-rooted passion for schoolboy rugby in the region.

Jeppe Targets Momentum Following Festival Setbacks

The home side enters the derby under significant pressure to rediscover the form that led to a double victory over KES last season. Jeppe has struggled recently, suffering three defeats in their last four matches, including tough outings at the North-South tournament and the Pretoria Boys High 125th Festival. Venter admitted that his squad has yet to "kick on" this season, citing low energy levels and limited recovery time as factors in recent losses to Maritzburg College and Michaelhouse. However, the coach believes the "backs-to-the-wall" nature of this derby provides the perfect environment for his players to find their clinical edge.

A Confident KES Side Built on Attacking Flair

In contrast to their rivals, KES arrives at Collard Field with significant wind in their sails. Led by coach Njabulo Zulu, the "Reds" enjoyed a successful stint at their own Easter Festival, securing convincing wins over Eastern Cape powerhouses St Andrew’s College and Queen’s College. Their backline demonstrated lethal finishing ability in those matches, positioning them as dangerous favorites for the 101st clash. KES will be eager to avenge last year’s results, where they fell 35-28 and 39-31 to a resilient Jeppe outfit, and will likely look to exploit any lingering fatigue in the home team's defense.