The red carpet has been unfurled as Port Alfred welcomes the cream of the crop school rowers who will converge on the Kowie River for the 25th edition of the Standard Bank South African Schools’ Boat Race that starts tomorrow, Friday December 05.
Twenty-eight school and club crews from across the country are set to participate in one of the country’s premier events for junior rowers that is being hosted by St Andrew’s College under the auspices of South African School Rowing Union (Sasru). Rowers started arriving at a trickle earlier in the week at their Halyards Hotel and small boat harbour headquarters.
This race presents a stiff challenge for boys and girls’ rowers who, in addition to sandbanks have to negotiate changing tides, awkward twists and turns, headwinds and the notorious “killing fields”.
The St Benedict’s junior men’s team which have set the pace in Gauteng this season, arrive as defending champions for four consecutive years and top crews from Western Cape and Eastern Cape will be looking to give them a run for their money.
The junior women’s section is in for an interesting tussle, with St Andrew’s School for girls ending St Mary’s School (Waverley) nine-year winning streak in last year’s race. The second Makhanda school, DSG will also make its appearance at the races.
Newcomers to this year’s event, include Peninsula Girls Rowing Club (Western Cape) and a girls’ crew from Germiston High.
Other Eastern Cape units are Buffalo Rowing Club and Umtata High School (junior men and women). Clarendon High of East London (junior women) will also be participating.
The first round of racing takes place tomorrow (Friday) with a time trial for all teams, starting off with the junior women at 2pm followed by the junior men at 4.30pm. Crews will be ranked based on time trial results into the finals that take place on Saturday.
Race organiser on behalf of St Andrew’s, Susan Powers, said it was all systems go for the 25th edition of the race.
“We are very happy and very pleased with how things are going … SuperSport schools and main sponsor, Standard Bank, both bring a lot of experience to the annual boat race.
“SuperSport have already been covering build-ups and the footage has been fantastic … the use of drones and camera operators in boats and the fact that it is live streamed, adds a different dimension to the race,” said Powers.
Powers said organisers were happy with the water quality on the Kowie – and that everything was on track for Friday’s start.
“I had a meeting with Ndlambe officials, just to confirm a few issues … and everything is in order. A number of schools have already arrived and have been out training. I have been to check on the Halyards and the Ski Boat Club on the opposite side (at the finish line) and everyone is ready.
“Halyards have been super accommodating … it’s obviously a boost for their business but they are also very accommodating. “
Powers said the race’s legacy of 25 years was something to savour.
“I think it’s very exciting to be part of something that’s going on so long and to make it a better experience each year. It’s a big part of the rowing season for schoolgirls and boys. Energy and vibe are great and many parents come along to watch the kids … so it’s a boost for Port Alfred.”
St Stithians College junior women’s coach, Bakang Zondi, who has raced the event himself a few times, was one of the earliest to have arrived at Halyards with his team in tow.
“We flew in this morning, (Tuesday) and started rigging up the boat … we are getting set and ready to row for the afternoon and set ourselves up for the rest of the week. Everything’s going alright, the competition is stiff and we can only do our best.”
“The wind here is a big factor … it’s the one big variable, it will swing around in the killing fields. Or you come through the bay with a tail wind, and you turn a corner and all of a sudden it changes; anything can happen on the Kowie, and the sandbanks can pop out anywhere too,” said Zondi
“We are really chuffed to be here as the event has quite a long legacy and it’s pretty cool to join in and be part of the legacy, irrespective of the result,” he added.
Halyards Hotel interim director, Justin Bester, says as is the norm, the red carpet has been rolled out for the SA schools rowers.
“It’s going well, they utilise the hotel, all our facilities which is great …. and it brings a big influx of people in to town,” said Bester. “We are under pressure of course, but we do appreciate their presence. We do pride ourselves on staff who are very well trained, friendly, and kind people, so glad to hear when people appreciate their stay here.
Bester says it’s critical that Port Alfred maintains the race’s legacy.
“I think it’s critical for Port Alfred, purely for exposure that the town gets. There are a lot of people coming in to town specifically for this event as their kids are at different schools. And it’s a great vibe, … we love the atmosphere the kids bring to our venue here,” added Bester.
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This article was first published in Talk of the Town, December 4, 2025. The newspaper serving the communities of Ndlambe and the Sunshine Coast, with a weekly wrap of Makhanda news, is available at stores from early on Thursdays
