The History and Legacy of Piley Rees and the Piley Rees Field

The Piley Rees Field remains one of the most cherished and historic rugby fields in South African schoolboy rugby. Situated between the John Peake Music School and White House, the field has provided the setting for generations of Bishops boys to play rugby with skill, passion and a distinctive commitment to the school's traditions.

On match days, the school flags fly proudly near the administration block, while the War Memorial Chapel overlooks the field, adding to the unique historical and spiritual character of the setting. With Table Mountain forming part of the backdrop, the Piley Rees Field is far more than a sporting venue: it is a physical link between the generations of boys, teachers and coaches who have contributed to Bishops rugby.

On Saturday, 23 April 1983, the Bishops 1st XV rugby field was officially named the Piley Rees Field in memory of D.W. "Piley" Rees, one of the most influential figures in the history of Bishops.

At the naming ceremony, Mrs Peggy Rees, Piley Rees's widow, was introduced to the Bishops and President High School First XVs before kick-off. Bishops went on to record a 46–3 victory, providing a memorable sporting occasion on which to honour the man whose name the field would carry into the future.

Piley Rees was much more than a rugby coach. He was a major figure in the wider life of Bishops and served the school for more than four decades.

He taught science and mathematics at Bishops from 1922 until his retirement in 1966. During his career he served as:

- Housemaster of Ogilvie and Founders

- The first Housemaster of White House

- Vice-Principal for four years

- Acting Principal following the death of Hubert Kidd

Rees coached the Bishops 1st XV from 1930 to 1955 and again in 1960 and 1961. His influence extended well beyond the school itself. He served on the executive of the Western Province Schools Rugby Union from 1919 to 1966 and spent 20 years as its chairman, from 1928 to 1948.2

Through his teaching and coaching, Rees became associated with discipline, fairness, sportsmanship and a commitment to developing young players. His influence helped establish principles that would become deeply embedded in the identity of Bishops rugby.

One of the most distinctive features of Bishops rugby has historically been its emphasis on running, passing, movement and attacking play.

The style was shaped in part by coaches such as Piley Rees and, in later generations, Basil Bey and Andre Jacobs. Recognising that Bishops teams were often physically smaller than some of their opponents, the school developed a game that placed considerable emphasis on skill, intelligence and movement rather than relying solely on physical size.r

- Diamond-shaped support lines

- Offloading in the tackle

- Passing under pressure

- Running from depth

- Quick movement of the ball

- Attacking rugby built around creativity and support

This became an important part of the school's rugby identity and remains a central element of the philosophy associated with Bishops rugby.

Even today, when weather, field conditions, opposition tactics or the circumstances of a particular match may make expansive rugby difficult, Bishops continues to try to allow its boys to play when the situation permits. Running rugby is an integral part of Bishops rugby culture and tradition, rather than simply a tactical preference. The intention is to give players the opportunity to express themselves, move the ball and play with the skill and creativity that have historically characterised Bishops rugby.

The Piley Rees Field is complemented by the Heatlie Pavilion, which has long formed an important part of the match-day environment.

Originally constructed to accommodate players and supporters, the pavilion underwent a major reconstruction in 2009. It now incorporates:

- A function room

- Home and visitor changing rooms

- A referees' changing room

- A physiotherapy and medical room

- Men's and Ladies bathrooms

- Storage facilities

- A tuckshop

- The main grandstand

- braai area in main Pavilion.

The function room is known as The Basil Bey Room, honouring Basil Bey, one of the most respected masters and rugby coaches in Bishops history. Bey taught at Bishops from 1971 to 1998 and made an enduring contribution to the school's rugby programme.

The main grandstand is named after Tim Hamilton-Smith, who served Bishops with distinction from 1968 to 2007. Like Bey, Hamilton-Smith became an important part of the school's sporting history and contributed significantly to the culture surrounding Bishops rugby.

Traditionally, the Piley Rees Field has been reserved primarily for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd XVs. In more recent years, however, lower teams and sides reaching particular milestones have also been given the opportunity to play on the field.

This has helped ensure that the significance of the ground is not restricted only to the school's most senior rugby players. For a Bishops boy, the opportunity to run onto the Piley Rees Field represents a connection with generations of players who came before him.

In 2024, an electronic scoreboard was installed at the field as part of the celebrations marking Bishops' 175th anniversary. The addition provided a modern feature to a venue whose history stretches back generations.

The history of Bishops rugby is also closely connected with the broader development of South African rugby.

Among the school's most famous rugby figures is Barry Heatlie, after whom the Heatlie Pavilion is named. Heatlie captained South Africa in the country's early international rugby history, including the 1896 Test victory over the England side and the 1903 series against the England side.

His place in South African rugby history forms part of the wider sporting heritage represented at Bishops, where generations of players have gone on to contribute to rugby at provincial, national and international levels.

The importance of the Piley Rees Field lies not only in its age or the famous names associated with it. Its significance comes from the continuity it represents.

Piley Rees coached generations of Bishops boys. Basil Bey and other influential coaches subsequently developed and carried forward the school's rugby philosophy. Players who came through the programme have continued to add their own chapters to that history.

The field therefore represents a continuing relationship between tradition and modern rugby. The facilities may change, the scoreboard may become electronic and the demands of the modern game may evolve, but the underlying principles remain recognisable.

At its heart is the belief that Bishops rugby should allow boys to play with intelligence, skill, courage and freedom when circumstances allow.

The Piley Rees Field consequently remains one of the most significant sporting spaces at Bishops Diocesan College. It is a place where history and the present meet: where generations of Bishops boys have run onto the same turf, carried the school's colours and attempted to play the game in a manner consistent with a tradition established long before them.

As long as rugby continues to be played at Bishops, the name Piley Rees will remain attached to that tradition , not simply as the name of a field, but as a reminder of the teachers, coaches and players who helped shape the distinctive character of Bishops rugby.