This past weekend, the SA Schools Rowing Championships, proudly partnered with Rand Merchant Bank (RMB), brought together young athletes, dedicated coaches, and passionate supporters from across South Africa for an unforgettable showcase of school rowing. Held from Friday to Sunday at Roodeplaat Dam, the event saw top schools from every province competing at the highest level.
With thrilling races in every category, the championship was a testament to the skill, resilience, and spirit of South African rowing. From the first heat to the final sprint, athletes gave it their all, proving once again the strength of school rowing in the country. Whether they reached the podium or not, every rower contributed to an incredible weekend of competition and camaraderie.
Among the standout performances, St Andrew’s Girls School dominated in the women’s first and second quadruple sculls, securing gold in both events. In the men’s second eight division, St Stithians Boys College took top honours, while the highly anticipated final race of the weekend—the men’s first eight—ended with a well-earned victory for St Benedict’s College.
Rowing South Africa extends its heartfelt appreciation to everyone who made the event possible, from the rowers and coaches to the families and supporters who brought energy and encouragement to the banks of the dam. A special thank you goes to RMB for its ongoing commitment to youth development and the sport of rowing, helping to shape the next generation of South African athletes.
“RMB has been a proud partner to Rowing South Africa for almost 10 years—supporting the sport from grassroots and school levels all the way to universities and the pinnacle of the RMB National Squad. This year’s SA Schools Championships was another incredible showcase of the talent, dedication, and community that make this sport so powerful. It’s exciting to think that among this weekend’s competitors were future Olympians,” said Michael Edwards, Sponsorships Marketing Lead at RMB.
Reflecting on the event, Rowing South Africa President Ben Burnand added, “What a weekend! We witnessed incredible racing and a fantastic sense of community. From Cape Point to Gaborone, families and friends came together to support an event run to world-class standards by our dedicated officials. It was an honour to have Gauteng Executive Member Ms. Sheila Peters and Michael Edwards from RMB with us—not only to hand out trophies but to truly experience the event alongside us. A standout moment for me was seeing the Germiston and St. Alban’s first doubles crews arm in arm, flexing their biceps for a photo—as you do at that age—perfectly capturing how sport brings people together.”
The RMB SA Schools Rowing Championships not only celebrated the country’s top young rowing talent but also reinforced the values of sportsmanship, teamwork, and passion for the sport. With another successful championship in the books, the rowing community looks ahead with excitement to the continued growth of South African school rowing.
For more information, visit https://rowsa.co.za/.