Queen’s College reunion weekend set for Dale showdown in Komani

Komani is set for a big school sporting weekend as Queen’s College Boys’ High School hosts its 168th Reunion, with old rival Dale College forming the centrepiece of the action on Saturday, 18 April 2026.

The reunion weekend programme shows several days of events, but for many local supporters the biggest attraction will be the traditional Queen’s College versus Dale College clashes across a range of sporting codes. Rugby, hockey, soccer, chess, debating, squash and cross country all feature on the line-up, turning the reunion into more than just an Old Boys gathering.

It is also shaping up as a major community event for Komani, with Queen’s College calling on the broader town, parents and Old Boys to be part of the occasion.

In a welcome message carried in the reunion material, the school headmaster thanks the wider community, parents and Old Boys for the support they give the school, and says the reunion weekend is a time to celebrate Queen’s College, its history and its place in the life of Komani.

Big Saturday drawcard

Saturday’s fixtures are likely to draw the biggest crowds, especially at the Recreation Grounds, where the rugby programme builds all the way up to the 1st XV clash at 15:30.

The rugby schedule includes junior and senior matches from the morning, with the 3rd XV playing at 12:20, the 2nd XV at 13:40 and the 1st XV match closing out the day. Other rugby games will be played at Parry East, Parry West, HQ Davies, TW Higgs West, TW Higgs East and The Rec.

Hockey also features on Saturday, with the U16B match scheduled for 13:15, while squash and cross country are also part of the day’s programme.

Friday, 17 April, will also have its share of action, with hockey, debating, chess and soccer on the programme. The 1st XI hockey side is scheduled to face Dale College at 17:10 at Chris Harker Astro, while the 1st XI soccer team is down for a 15:00 fixture at Vicky Field.

Beyond the sports fixtures, the broader reunion programme includes the Sandor Maart Memorial Concert on Wednesday, golf day events on Thursday, reunion assembly and Trooping the Colour parade on Friday, and a commemoration service on Sunday.

Why residents should go

For Komani residents, this weekend offers more than school sport. It is one of those local occasions where tradition, school pride and town identity all meet in one place.

The Queen’s versus Dale rivalry remains one of the most recognised school rivalries in the Eastern Cape and South Africa, and reunion weekends often bring extra atmosphere, strong attendance and plenty of support from former pupils and families. With food stalls and tuckshops expected to operate on Saturday, the day is also set up as a social outing for supporters.

People planning to attend should take note of entry arrangements. According to the event information, spectators will use the North Gate at the corner of College Avenue and Frost Street, the South Gate at the corner of College Avenue and Berry Street, and the Chris Harker Astro gate.

General entry is listed at R30, while grandstand entry is R50. Scholars in uniform will enter free, while scholars without uniform will pay R20 for the grandstand.

Spectators have also been advised that no liquids may be brought into the Recreation Grounds, Chris Harker Astro or other venues being used for fixtures during the weekend.

A weekend for Komani

With Queen’s College marking 168 years and Dale College coming to town, the reunion weekend is expected to bring colour, noise and strong support to Komani.

For residents who enjoy school sport, community events and a classic Eastern Cape rivalry, this weekend looks set to deliver exactly that. The call from the school is clear: come out, back the boys, and be part of a major local occasion.