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A schools rugby match between EG Jansen and Menlopark descended into a brawl on Saturday when EG Jansen players climbed over a barrier and fought with Menlopark old boys who had gathered behind the posts.
Brawl Erupts Between Players and Old Boys
The altercation reportedly started with a verbal exchange between the old boys and EG Jansen players. Words escalated fast. The players then left the field of play entirely, vaulting the barrier to confront the old boys directly. From there it spiralled further, with parents from both schools drawn into the confrontation.
Video footage of the incident circulated widely, and the scenes make for grim viewing. Schools rugby in South Africa carries a weight far beyond a Saturday fixture — it is where our game's values are supposed to be instilled, where young men learn discipline, composure and respect under pressure. What happened here was the opposite of all of that.
Schools Rugby Culture Under Threat
The Currie Cup and the international stage may grab the headlines, but it is the schools game that feeds the pipeline. Incidents like this damage the culture at its roots. Old boys standing behind the posts, exchanging words with active players, and players responding by jumping barriers — that is a failure at every level: player conduct, spectator behaviour, and the oversight structures meant to prevent exactly this.