Buffalo Shakes Up the Field Ahead of the RMB South African Schools Rowing Championships

The RMB Buffalo Regatta, held from the 5th to 7th February, once again delivered elite racing, reinforcing its status as one of South Africa’s most prestigious rowing events.

The 2026 rowing season now turns decisively toward our major national junior competition and the RMB Buffalo Regatta results have set up several compelling storylines ahead of the RMB South African Schools Rowing Championships, being held at Roodeplaat Dam from 6 to 8 March 2026.

Senior Results From Buffalo

In senior racing, Old Edwardian Boat Club and the University of Pretoria (Tuks) split the major honours at the RMB Buffalo Regatta.

Chris Baxter successfully defended his Silver Sculls title in the senior men’s single sculls, once again defeating long-time rival Murray Bales-Smith in a closely fought final. Baxter also featured in the Old Eds crew alongside Sebastian Prince, Myles Laburn and Damien Bonhage-Koen that claimed victory in the prestigious Grand Challenge.

On the women’s side, Courtney Westley secured victory in the senior women’s single scull, defeating Paige Badenhorst, while the Tuks women’s four retained their title in dominant fashion.

Buffalo Results Blow The Boys’ First Eight Wide Open

For much of the 2026 season, St Benedict’s College have looked the likely favourites in the Boys’ First Eight. But Buffalo delivered a pivotal result.

In one of the most exciting races of the weekend, St John’s College defeated St Benedict’s for the first time this season, a breakthrough result that has dramatically shifted the narrative heading into SA Champs.

Close behind were Rondebosch Boys’ High School and King Edward VII School, both showing the speed and depth to challenge for national honours.

The result means that heading into the RMB SA Schools Championships, the Boys’ First Eight title appears more open than it has been in years. With multiple crews capable of producing winning performances on the right day, it promises to be one of the standout events of the regatta.

Girls’ Quad Benchmark Set Pressure Mounting

In the Girls’ Quad Sculls, St Andrew’s School for Girls continued their dominant season, defeating St Mary’s and St Stithians College in the Buffalo final.

Their consistency makes them firm favourites, but SA Champs presents a different pressure — a single national championship stage where crews must deliver on the day. With margins tightening across the season and a lot of mix up in the silver and bronze positions, challengers will be looking to capitalise.

All Eyes On Roodeplaat

The top junior rowers now gather at Roodeplaat for the final regatta of the schools season. The RMB South African Schools Rowing Championships brings together approximately 30 clubs and schools from across South Africa and more than 1,000 junior athletes.

It represents the pinnacle of the domestic junior rowing calendar and a crucial step in the national high-performance pathway.

Adding further international flavour to the regatta, crews from Zimbabwe will once again join the competition, consistently raising the standard of racing and adding an extra dimension to podium battles.

With racing across all junior boat classes — from u14 single sculls to the prestigious first eights — SA Champs remains the ultimate proving ground for emerging talent.

RMB’s Commitment To Junior Rowing

RMB’s continued support of both the Buffalo Regatta and the SA Schools Championships ensures the sustainability of South Africa’s rich rowing tradition from grassroots to elite level.

“Junior rowing sits at the heart of the sport’s future,” said Michael Edwards, RMB Sponsorship Marketing Lead. “The RMB SA Schools Rowing Championships is where ambition meets opportunity. We are proud to support an event that brings together young athletes from across the country, fosters excellence, and strengthens the national pathway for rowing in South Africa.”

With the Buffalo River having reshuffled expectations, there is great excitement leading into the RMB SA Schools Rowing Championships. It is set to be a championship defined by depth, speed and the narrowest of margins.

For more visit https://www.rowsa.co.za or follow @rowingrsa on Instagram