St John's College

The rugby and hockey seasons draw to a close this weekend with the annual against St Stithians College.

It's a long-standing fixture, first played in rugby in 1954. St John's dominated the early years, and it took St Stithians until 1971 to record a first win.

The results in recent years have been quite even. Of the last ten 1st team rugby games played, St John's has won six and St Stithians four. St Stithians has won five of the last 1st team hockey clashes, St John's four and there was one draw.

This year's meeting between the two schools is going to be huge. Not only is it the Pink Derby, but it is , when our Old Johannians come home. The 1st team rugby will also be part of the King Price Derby Series and broadcast on SuperSport Schools.

The Pink Derby is about more than sport. Over nearly a decade, it has grown into a shared commitment between our schools, raising awareness and funds for PinkDrive and their life-changing work in the early detection of breast and other gendered cancers.

As you arrive, look out for our Wall of Hope at the main entrance. For a donation, you are invited to leave a message for someone whose life has been touched by cancer, whether honouring a survivor, remembering a loved one, or celebrating your own journey. All proceeds go directly to PinkDrive.

For a full set of fixtures, the link is in the comments.

See you there, in pink.

Last ten results

Rugby
2014 St Stithians 29 St John's 19
2015 St John's 29 St Stithians 26
2016 St John's 27 St Stithians 22
2017 St John's 25 St Stithians 19
2018 St Stithians 41 St John's 38
2019 St John's 52 St Stithians 33
2022 St John's 56 St Stithians 9
2023 St Stithians 31 St John's 19
2024 St John's 24 St Stithians 20
2025 St Stithians 25 St John's 21

Hockey
2014 St John's 1 St Stithians 0
2015 St John's 3 St Stithians 1
2016 St Stithians 3 St John's 2
2017 St John's 3 St Stithians 2
2018 St John's 5 St Stithians 1 (Aitken Cup)
2019 St Stithians 0 St John's 0
2022 St Stithians 2 St John's 1
2023 St Stithians 5 St John's 1 (Aitken Cup)
2024 St Stithians 3 St John's 2
2025 St Stithians 4 St John's 1

College cricket captain, Nkosana Sibiya (UV Hill), has left for the CSA High Performance Centre, where he will be on camp with his teammates in the SA U19 cricket team ahead of their departure for England on Monday.

They will be playing three ODIs and two four-day "tests" against England between 30 June and 20 July.

We wish Nkosana the very best of luck and look forward to following his progress on tour.

St John's Prep marked a milestone this year as the Rising Voices Choir Festival celebrated its 30th anniversary, welcoming over 800 young singers from nine Gauteng schools across three unforgettable evenings.

What started with faxed invitations and choirs of 15–25 singers has grown into something remarkable. This year's largest choir brought 110 voices to the stage, showing how far choral music participation has come over the past three decades.

"The festival continues to create special memories and lasting friendships. The spirit of shared music-making remains at the heart of the event. The performances showcased not only the talent of the young singers but also the joy and sense of community that choral music fosters. Thank you to all the participating schools, choir directors, accompanists, staff, parents and, most importantly, the young singers whose enthusiasm and love of music made this celebration so special," said Shannon Frigyik, HOD Class Music, Prep.

Here's to another 30 years of wonderful evenings filled with song.

The St David's Marist Inanda Derby, through the eyes of our Media Club.

📸Karabo Motlhabane (LV Clayton), Ross Weidemann (LV Nash) and Theo Garrun.

It's our last derby of the season, and once again, we're painting it pink.

This Saturday, 20 June, we welcome St Stithians College Boys' and Boys' Prep to St John's for the 9th , part of the King Price Derby Series. It is also our , when our come home.

Among the highlight games are the First XI Hockey at 11h40, Old Johannians face Old Stithians in 7s Rugby at 12h40, the Prep meets St Stithians Boys' Prep at 13h10, and the First XV Rugby at 14h00.

The Pink Derby is about more than sport. It raises awareness and funds for PinkDrive and their life-changing work in the early detection of breast cancer and gendered cancers. Visit our Wall of Hope at the main entrance to leave a message for someone touched by cancer. All proceeds go to PinkDrive.

Parking is available at St John's and at King Edward VII School off St Patrick Road. Please use e-hailing where you can. The full fixture list is available in the comments.

See you Saturday ... in pink, of course!

Someone's tomorrow starts with you. Be the lifeline by donating at the South African National Blood Service blood drive at Ronnie Grieveson Pavilion today, 17 June, between 09h00 and 15h00. One donation can save three lives.

As part of a series of commemorations marking the 50th anniversary of the Soweto Uprising, St John's College had the privilege of welcoming Mr Andisa Ntsubane (Nash 1993) as the guest speaker at our assembly on 12 June 2026.

Mr Ntsubane was a particularly fitting choice this year, having been among the first Black students to attend St John's College. He joined the College in 1982, just nine years after , at the height of the apartheid era.

Through personal reflection, he shared what it was like to be the only Black student in some classes and one of only a handful in each grade. He spoke honestly about the challenges he faced, many of which our young people may never encounter in the same way.

He also spoke about the role sports played in his life at St John's. At a time when he struggled to find his place, sports became a way to connect, to be accepted and to contribute. He spoke about the power of shared experience on the rugby field or athletics track, where difference mattered less than what you brought to the team. It is a message that resonated with many of our own students.

We thank Mr Ntsubane, a proud Old Johannian, father of Ama Ntsubane (Custos) and self-proclaimed Afro-Optimist, for the generosity of his story. Quoting conservationist Nathan Gray, he shared his guiding principle: "I'm trying to create something worthy of emulation."

Mr Ntsubane reminded our students that whether we realise it or not, people are watching us, taking lessons from the choices we make and the actions we take. He challenged us all to be intentional about the lives we live and the impact we have on others.

📸 Zhicheng Liu (UIV Hodgson) and Matthew Midgley (LIV Alston)

Honouring the 50th anniversary of , our Johannians in the Pre-Prep learned that heroes don't always wear capes!

As Ms Nkuna, Pre-Prep Headmistress, wrote in her newsletter: "Our boys were invited to think differently about what it means to be a hero. We celebrated doctors, police officers, firefighters and other ordinary people who do extraordinary things for others every day, and asked our boys what would not happen in their absence.

We then looked at a very different kind of superhero: the youth of 1976. Students in school uniform, not much older than our own boys, who stood up courageously for what they believed was fair and just. Their actions became part of a story that helped shape the South Africa we know today.

The seeds of legacy are planted in the small choices we make each day. Our thoughts become actions, our actions become habits, and our habits become the character for which we are known. When your name is spoken years from now, what stories will be told?"

The heroes of tomorrow are already sitting in our classrooms today.

Fifty years ago today, the children of Soweto walked into history.

We remember the courage of 16 June 1976, and we honour every young life given in the name of freedom and the right to learn. Their legacy lives on in the youth we are proud to teach today.