Bishops in Ireland

Not for the first time, the Diocesan College of Rondebosch in the Cape, popularly known as Bishops, is on a tour of Ireland and plays its first match on Thursday, 14 March 2019.

The first time they went across the Irish Sea was in 1991 when the great Basil Bey was coaching the side along with Tim Hamilton-Smith. They went to Dublin, played and scored lots of points.

This time they are playing a provincial school side, a club side and two schools.

Terenure College, whose major sport is rugby, was founded in Dublin by the Carmelite fathers.

St Munchin’s College was founded in 1796, 53 years before Bishops, by the Catholic Bishop of Limerick while Bishops was founded by the Anglican Bishop of Cape Town. Both schools have great rugby traditions. In fact, St Munchin’s has two players in the current Irish side – Keith Earls and Conor Murray whom many regard as the best scrumhalf in the world. Bishops have three current players who are Springboks – Francois Louw, Dylan Leyds and Nizaam Carr. Both schools have many Old Boys who played international rugby.

The Galwegians club’s first team plays in the All Ireland League. The club has nearly twenty teams

Tour Fixtures

Thursday, 14 March 2019
Bishops vs Leinster Schools

Saturday, 16 March 2019
Bishops vs Terenure College

Sunday, 17 March 2019
No match but it is St Patrick’s Day and there will be a lot of fun and games.

Tuesday, 19 March 2019, the Feast of St Joseph
Bishops vs Galwegians Rugby Club

Friday, 22 March 2019
Bishops vs St Munchin’s College