29-05-2025
Christ's College v CBHS: Historic rivalry still going strong after 133 years
CBHS centre William Brown heads for the try line. PHOTO: THOMAS BIRD
No schoolboy rugby rivalry in Canterbury compares to the storied clash between Christchurch Boys' High School and Christ's College.
The two schools first met on the rugby field in 1892. On Tuesday, they will face off for the 140th time in round four of the Miles Toyota Premiership (1pm).
Boys' High has historically dominated with 87 wins to Christ's College's 43. Nine matches have ended in a draw.
'For our lads, it's one of those games they look forward to from when they start school in year 9 and 10,' said Christ's College head coach Sam Broomhall.
'For some of them it might be the biggest game they play in their rugby careers.'
This year's match will be played at Christ's College for the first time since 2020 after resurfacing work was completed on its upper field.
Broomhall said he expected a typically buoyant crowd.
'The atmosphere and the environment that this game creates is quite unique and special.
'It's an amazing job they did with the field there and the facilities.
'It's a bit of a cauldron, a real sort of coliseum arena in there, so it's a great place to play and watch a game of rugby.'
Christ's College has had a slow start to the season, managing just one win from three outings – a 38-37 thriller against Rangiora High – bookended by close losses to St Thomas' and Selwyn Schools.
In contrast, Boys' High is unbeaten and riding the high of knocking over defending champions Nelson College 58-31 on Saturday, a win that also saw them claim the Trust Bank Cup.
'We're really looking forward to it,' said Boys' High head coach Pete Chaplin on Tuesday's match.
'It means a lot. It's a big day for both schools and their communities.'
Chaplin said with all the hype and attention on the game he would need to keep his charges focused on the task at hand.
'We're just going out and playing another game of rugby, doing the little things right.
'It's a good challenge for young sportsmen to be in an environment that has added pressure they might not get on a normal weekend game.'
Round four's other matches see Nelson College and Marlborough Boys' College face off this afternoon, with St Andrew's playing Selwyn Schools tomorrow night. St Bede's hosts St Thomas on Saturday and Rangiora High visits Shirley Boys' on Monday.
Miles Toyota Premiership points
Marlborough BC 15; CBHS 15; Nelson 11; St Thomas 11; St Bede's 11; Christ's 9; Selwyn 9; Rangiora 2; St Andrew's 1; Shirley BHS 1
School v College past matches
2024 SF: CBHS 24 Christ's 15
2024: CBHS 34 Christ's 25
2023: CBHS 37 Christ's 3
2022: CBHS 47 Christ's 33
2021: Christ's 35 CBHS 34
