Watch: Headmaster’s post about Jeppe conquering Goliath steals hearts
"Perhaps last night gave yet another glimpse of the power of sport as our boys played for Kaiden,” states Jackson.
In a historic moment for Jeppe High School for Boys, their 1st rugby team secured a remarkable victory over school rugby giant, Grey College with a score of 22-19 at the Noord-Suid Festival in Pretoria on Monday, March 25.
Grey College, renowned as the pinnacle of rugby excellence in the country, faced defeat for the first time in Jeppe’s 134-year history.
The news of this monumental win reverberated across rugby schools, but what truly captured attention was the response from Jeppe’s headmaster, Dale Jackson.
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In a Facebook post, Jackson acknowledged the significance of the achievement while placing it in the context of a recent tragedy at the school and emphasising the educational role of sports.
He commended the players and coaches for their dedication but also paid tribute to Grey College, recognising them as the foremost rugby school in South Africa and the world.
“Grey College remain the best rugby playing school in South Africa, and arguably the world, and are a class act – one of the first phone calls I received last night was from their headmaster – and one defeat will not change that,” Jackson stated.
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Jackson highlighted the unifying power of sport, drawing parallels with the Rugby World Cup, and suggested that the match served as a tribute to Kaiden Bowie.
The young Jeppe rugby player tragically passed away after a match two weeks prior. Jackson said the team team played in honour of Bowie.”Perhaps last night gave yet another glimpse of this power as our boys played for Kaiden,” he said.
Jackson emphasised that the significance of the day extended beyond the scoreboard.
@bedfordview.edenv Jeppe High School for Boys triumphed over Grey College 22-19 in a David vs Goliath-esque match. #JeppeBoys #JeppevsGrey #JeppeBoysRugby #greycollegerugby #JeppeBeatGrey #CapCut
He recounted with pride an act of sportsmanship by Jeppe’s head boy, Risima Khosa, who consoled an opponent at the final whistle and then diligently cleaned the changing rooms alone, reflecting the school’s values.
“While the numbers on a scoreboard are important, and dictate the short-term headlines, what matters more are the lessons learnt in the playing of sport,” Mr Jackson remarked.
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“Those educational and character-building lessons and the value systems which underpin them will last long after the numbers on a scoreboard have faded from memory.”
He congratulated the 1st XV team and the entire Jeppe community but reminded all of the school’s fundamental mission to educate and shape men of character both on and off the field, in victory and defeat.
Wonderful words from @jeppeboys Headmaster Dale Jackson following his school’s historic win over @GreyKollege yesterday… pic.twitter.com/9LEmoLadtU
— Derek Alberts (@derekalberts1) March 26, 2024
FORTI NIHIL DIFFICILIUS 🦓@jeppeboys 22 – 19 @GreyKollege pic.twitter.com/tEPMlEsSSo
— Hacjivah Dayimani (@Hacjivah) March 25, 2024
What a great story!! Well done @jeppeboys https://t.co/twxbPHsDDF
— Radioraps (Rikus de Beer) (@RadioRaps) March 26, 2024
