Season so far: Christchurch Boys' High First XV keep rolling in 2026

Few schoolboy programmes carry the weight of history quite like Christchurch Boys' High School, and in 2026 the First XV has picked up right where it left off. As the mid-season break arrives, here is a positive look back at the campaign so far.

Defending champions with plenty returning

CBHS came into 2026 as holders of the Miles Toyota First XV Premiership, Canterbury's top schoolboy grade, having won the 2025 final over Christ's College. Canterbury Rugby's season preview noted a strong core returning from that title squad, with third-year openside flanker Jonty Leary named to lead the side.

Coach Mike Drury set an upbeat tone. "The team are looking forward to a strong, competitive competition this year," he told Canterbury Rugby, pointing to "strengths across the park." It is worth remembering the depth behind the headline team, too: the school fields 21 rugby teams across the grades, one of the biggest programmes in the country.

A flying start on two fronts

This season the First XV has been busy across both the Miles Toyota Premiership and the new 11-team South Island Boys' competition, a fresh regional fixture that pits Canterbury's best against Otago and Southland heavyweights. Per Rugby Xplorer results and school-rugby coverage from the NZ Herald, CBHS has been unbeaten so far, banking wins over St Thomas of Canterbury, Nelson College and Otago Boys' High, plus a hard-fought away result against Southland Boys' in Invercargill.

College Day delivers again

The standout occasion was the traditional college match against Christ's College at Straven Road. On College Day, CBHS came away 55-26 in front of the home crowd, leading 38-12 at the break before absorbing what The Press called a "plucky fightback" from the visitors. The NZ Herald reported it as a fifth straight win in this century-old fixture, with Lennox Limu-Franklin and Phoenix Smith among the try-scorers.

The match stayed at school by choice, part of a decision the RUGBE community read about earlier this year when CBHS turned down a chance to shift the fixture to a new stadium. On the day, the Straven Road banks were packed for exactly that reason.

What's ahead

With the season heading into its business end, the questions now are about finals football: can CBHS defend the Miles Toyota crown, and how far can they go in the South Island competition? Whatever comes next, it has already been a campaign to enjoy for the wider Boys' High whānau.

Follow the team on Instagram @cbhs.1stxv and on Facebook.