To grasp the profound impact that Durban Collegians has exerted on the sporting landscape of KwaZulu-Natal, it is fitting to commence this exploration with the inaugural paragraph of the tome “Natal 100: The Centenary of the Natal Rugby Union.” This compilation, crafted by the eminent rugby chronicler Reg Sweet, pays homage to the club’s inception and was published by the KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union in 1990 to commemorate their centenary.

The commencement of this narrative reads: “As the winter night enveloped Pietermaritzburg and mist veiled law-abiding citizens, who sought refuge in their upturned coat collars, a small assembly converged on the historic Town Office. Their purpose was none other than sports-related, and they stood on the cusp of a pivotal recreational decision for the fledgling Colony of Natal.”

The epoch in question was unmistakably 1890, specifically Tuesday the 24th of June, a date entrenched in memory. On this very day, led by Sir T.K. Murray, these esteemed citizens gathered at a summons to determine the formation of a Rugby Union in Natal, following arduous deliberations. This fateful decision marked the genesis of the Natal Rugby Union, with Sir T.K. Murray at its inaugural helm. The 24th of June, 1890, thus carved its place as a paramount milestone in KZN’s sporting annals, laying the bedrock for club rugby and the sport’s entirety within the province.

In the ensuing 16 years, rugby in the fledgling colony navigated turbulent waters, upheld by tenacious administrators at the helm. The narrative took a pivotal turn on the 14th of March, 1906, a date now etched as one of the most pivotal in the annals of the KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union. On this day, Durban Collegians made their emergence, an establishment whose contributions to provincial rugby would reach monumental proportions in the years to come.

The sun rose on a customary autumn morning in the coastal enclave of Durban, where a consortium of businessmen congregated for a discreet breakfast meeting at Princes Café, believed to have graced Smith Street, proximate to the current Royal Hotel locale. This assembly, steered by Mr. Addison and including notables A. McWilliam, G.W. Young, B. Stewart, Dan Taylor, G.C. Cowie, J. Watt, and H. Sparks, convened for a sports-related dialogue. Little did they grasp that, unbeknownst to them, they were on the cusp of founding the preeminent rugby club in KZN. It was on this brisk autumn morning that the Old Collegians Rugby Club was born, with its inaugural mission: to embrace those who had traversed the corridors of colleges or public schools and engaged in the sport.

This heralded the commencement of Durban Collegians’ remarkable saga, fraught with challenges in its formative chapters. It encountered adversity from the outset, attributable not to its own doing, but rather the depletion of personnel owing to military service during the Zulu uprising. Yet, this circumstance ignited one of the club’s enduring traditions – resilience, driven by allegiance to the Old Collegians’ ethos.

In those early years, the architects of this nascent institution inadvertently laid the cornerstone for an enduring legacy. Their resilience guided them through two world wars, emerging as a stronger force, fortified by the club’s unyielding commitment to their self-imposed high standards.

Their triumph was soon evident as they clinched the Murray Challenge Cup in 1907, a remarkable feat within a single year of existence. Amidst trials and tribulations, this accomplishment underscored their potential for greatness. However, they were yet to fathom the extent of their subsequent successes, ultimately establishing themselves as statistically the most successful club in the annals of KZN Club Rugby.

Six years elapsed before the Old Collegians secured their name on the prized silverware once more, prevailing in 1912. The following year, 1913, they captured the title again, preceding the onset of the First World War. Those were arduous times for club rugby, yet Collegians reemerged invigorated, ushering in a triumphant era.

The post-war era of 1920 witnessed the rise of Kokstad, the province’s oldest club, clinching the Murray Cup. However, the twenties marked Durban Collegians’ first golden age, epitomized by a triumvirate of consecutive Murray Cup victories from 1922 to 1924. Although they finished second to Durban Rovers in 1925, they continued to yield Springbok talent, including the iconic Bill Payn.

Payn made his Springbok debut in 1924 and left an indelible mark. His influence reverberated beyond the field, buoyed by his life philosophy – “Life retains its essence amidst laughter.” This resilience sustained him as a prisoner of war during the Second World War. A revered mentor at Durban High School, Payn’s character pervaded both students and Old Collegians, setting the stage for his successor, Isaac van Heerden, another POW and future luminary in Natal Rugby coaching.

Akin to a phoenix, the Old Collegians surged to reclaim the Murray Cup in 1926, epitomizing the club’s twenties zenith. This triumph heralded their resurgence, laying the foundation for their second golden era, which coincided with their transformation into Durban Collegians. The resurrection of the Moor Cup in 1957, absent for 81 years, marked the inception of a dominant period. The subsequent renaming as the SAB Murray Cup Knockout tournament found its first victor in Durban Collegians.

The pivotal year of 1958 witnessed Durban Collegians ascending to unprecedented heights. Their historic achievement of clinching both the Moor Cup and the Murray Cup crowned them as KZN’s premier club. This remarkable double triumph recurred 12 times between 1957 and 1990, a period during which they secured the Moor Cup 19 times and the Murray Cup on 12 occasions.

The era also fostered a cohort of Springbok luminaries, including captains Tommy Bedford and Wynand Claassen. Their mentorship radiated influence, steering Natal’s progress. The legendary Keith Oxlee and others enriched the roster, adorning the sport with their exceptional prowess.

As the nineties dawned, Durban Collegians navigated lean years, yet consistently evaded promotion-relegation scenarios. They carved an enduring legacy, producing myriad provincial players and accumulating KZNRU honors, a testament to their unparalleled contributions.

The nineties also heralded a new era of Springboks, with Wayne Fyvie, Ollie Le Roux, Hentie Martens, Philip Smit, and Dean Hall etching their names into rugby history. Yet, the profound influence of Durban Collegians stretches far beyond these accolades, encompassing a roster of enduring characters, including ‘Tubby’ Hanneford, ‘Rooster’ Hankinson, Grant Oxlee, ‘Tarz’ Bosch, and a tapestry of others.

With a century of rugby excellence, Durban Collegians stands as an emblem of endurance, resilience, and tradition. In celebration of this remarkable journey, we raise our glasses to the club’s unwavering commitment to the sport, as they continue to shape the legacy of rugby in KwaZulu-Natal.