Sport
Sporting activities provide wonderful opportunities for our boys to develop their resilience and character. Apart from the obvious health benefits, other aspects to explore include leadership, self-awareness, confidence, responsibility, self-discipline, team dynamics and sportsmanship. School sport gives the boys a chance to support their community and builds a great rapport between pupils and teachers.
It is compulsory for Grade 8 and 9 boys to take part in a major sport, whilst Grades 10-12 get to choose. Our number of senior teams reflects the boys’ enjoyment of their sporting activities at RBHS.
Athletics
Boys have the chance to compete in the HJS Paarl Athletics Meeting, Inter-House Athletics and the Quadrangular in Term 1, as well as in the four Spring Meetings in Term 4, which are hosted by Wynberg Boys' High School, Bishops, SACS and RBHS. We provide opportunities for athletes who are competitive along with those who participate for fun or general fitness.
Chess
Chess at Rondebosch is a competitive sport which is played all year round. It is an exciting game that teaches logical thinking and improves concentration. No prior knowledge is needed as regular practices and matches develop the boys’ strategies as well as creating good peer relationships.
Cross Country
Cross country is a grassroots discipline catering to all ages and abilities. It is an excellent platform on which to build a high level of endurance for track athletes and speed for road runners. Many top sportspeople started their careers in cross country and still return to the sport, during the track and field off-season, to build their strength and stamina.
E-Sports
Esports is a recognised sport at RBHS where learners compete and collaborate across a range of games, including Rocket League, Apex, Fortnite, Marvel Rivals, Valorant, EAFC26, and Clash Royale. The programme offers structured training and competitive opportunities at provincial and national level, with sessions emphasising communication, strategy, and responsible gaming. Beyond competition, Esports provides an inclusive space for boys across all grades to build confidence and resilience while proudly representing their school.
Hockey
Our hockey players are privileged to have the use of two hockey astroturfs, which we share with Western Province Cricket Club. All of our A sides attend pre-season hockey festivals, and we host a U16 festival, which our U15A and U16A sides attend. Our boys regularly represent Western Province hockey sides as well as SA teams at U16 and U18 level. Rondebosch Hockey is proud to be one of the top-performing sports both
Rowing
Rowing at RBHS is an active and dedicated programme catering for all age groups from U14 to U19, across boat classes ranging from singles to eights in A, B, and C divisions. The sport takes boys to remarkable venues to train and race on dams and rivers, competing at regional and national regattas. Our rowers frequently represent South Africa at junior and senior level, and the sport opens doors at top universities. Above all, rowing at RBHS builds camaraderie, passion, and pride in both school and self.
Table Tennis
Table tennis is a fun winter sport that starts in the second term of school. It is a game of speed, spin and control, demanding quick reactions. Compelling by nature, table tennis is easy to pick up and play, and everyone is welcome. Practices take place after school, and we play regular matches.
Tennis
At RBHS, we have great depth in our tennis ranks, and our players regularly qualify for provincial and sometimes national teams. The 1st team plays in the Premier League, and we receive a regular invitation to the Kearsney Top Eight Tournament, which is one of the highlights of the season.
Basketball
Basketball is a fast-growing summer sport that seems to transcend conventional stereotypes. Our teams get to play with boys from a wide spectrum of backgrounds. Apart from our local schools, we also travel to townships and host teams from the Cape Flats.
Cricket
RBHS is widely regarded as the benchmark for schoolboy cricket, built on a well-structured programme supported by top-tier facilities and coaches. Our teams compete on a busy fixture list, all A teams tour, and we're invited to the best festivals in South Africa. Our association with the Gary Kirsten Academy also gives players access to excellent private coaching should they wish to supplement their training.
Cycling
Cycling/Mountain Biking is a newer sport at RBHS, introduced two years ago at both Prep and High School levels. As a winter sport, it features five main events annually, organised by Western Cape Schools Cycling. High school races are divided into five age groups: 1) Sub-Junior Youth (13-14) – 1-2 laps, 2) Youth 15 & 16 – increasing lap counts and 3) Junior (17-19) – up to 5 laps.
Golf
Our golfers play some of the best courses in the Western Province Golf League. There are some great tours for the 1st team, including Serengeti and Cape Schools’ Week. Some of the beautiful courses that we visit are Pinnacle Point, Mossel Bay and St Francis.
Football
Football is very popular at RBHS, and the boys thoroughly enjoy the team environment. Our sides regularly perform well and participate in seasonal festivals.
Rugby
RBHS has a proud tradition of rugby. We strive to do the best for all of our rugby players through a structured coaching programme. We aim to produce well-balanced athletes and concentrate on all facets of the game with a special focus on the development of core rugby skills. The lessons learnt on the fields are seen as a vital part of the educational development of our learners. We enjoy a highly competitive fixture list and are one of the eight Western Province Premier League schools that make up the Super League.
Swimming
Swimming is a consistently high performing sport at RBHS with several representatives in the national youth squads each year. We have dominated the local league, winning the prestigious A league gala 32 times in the last 34 years.
Waterpolo
Water polo is a fast-paced, action-packed sport that is very popular with the boys. Our three A teams compete in local league knockout competitions and in national tournaments. In recent years, our boys represented Western Province and South Africa. We also undertake an overseas tour every four years, which has taken us to Australia, California, Croatia and Montenegro.
Squash
Squash offers many opportunities for both beginners and experienced players. The top teams compete in the Super League, Western Province and national tournaments. Our squash players are often selected for provincial teams and appear in the SA Top 10 ranking