At WPPS, sport is viewed as an extension of the classroom, where boys learn lessons that will serve them for life. We believe that prep school sport should be defined by the joy of play and competition, the friendships built on the field, and the resilience that comes from facing challenges together.
From Grade 1 onwards, every boy takes part in at least two afternoons of sport each week. In this time, he is encouraged not only to develop skills, but also to discover courage, pride in improvement, and the camaraderie of being part of a team. Matches, whether in inter-school leagues or inter-house competitions, are an integral part of this journey. They provide opportunities to learn about sportsmanship, discipline, and teamwork in a setting that is both competitive and nurturing.
Our coaching philosophy places educational values at the centre. Expertise and enthusiasm matter, but above all, our coaches model principles of respect, encouragement, and growth. It is in this environment that boys learn to celebrate effort as much as achievement, and where success is measured not only on the scoreboard, but in the values carried off the field.
WPPS offers outstanding facilities to support this approach: two rugby and cricket fields, a half-size hockey astroturf, seven cricket nets, a 25m swimming pool, a 20m training pool, and access to nearby tennis and squash courts. These resources, combined with our holistic vision of education, ensure that sport is a vibrant, purposeful, and joyful part of every boy’s school life.
Swimming is an essential part of life at WPPS, where we place great emphasis on water confidence and water safety from an early age. Grade 1 and 2 boys have compulsory swimming lessons once a week which introduces boys to the basics in a safe, encouraging environment, helping them develop both competence and enjoyment in the pool. Extramural swimming is offered at different levels. Swimming is compulsory for all water polo players, while our squad programme prepares boys for competitive galas.
Cricket is a cornerstone of summer sport at WPPS, offered across all grade levels. In Grades 1 and 2, boys enjoy mini-cricket once a week, where the focus is on fun, teamwork, and developing the basics of the game. By Grade 3, they begin playing competitive mini-cricket fixtures against other schools, and towards the end of the year, they are introduced to hardball cricket. From Grade 4, boys begin their hardball cricket journeys. WPPS currently fields multiple teams across the U10, U11, U12, and U13 age groups, ensuring that every boy – from the developing player to the competitive cricketer – has a place to grow, to be challenged, and to experience the excitement of matches. Our 1st XI, U13B, U12A, U11A and U10A teams play regular Saturday fixtures which gets them familiar with a longer format of the game.
Water polo has become one of the fastest-growing sports at WPPS. Starting in Grade 3, boys are introduced to the basics of the game, building confidence and enjoyment in the water. From there, they progress through age-group teams, with U10 to U13 boys competing in regular inter-school fixtures on Friday afternoons. Supported by excellent facilities – including a 25m pool and a training pool – our boys are given the opportunity to develop both skill and resilience in this demanding, fast-paced sport.
Tennis at WPPS forms part of the summer extra-mural programme and is offered in the first and fourth terms. Boys in Grades 4 – 7 can participate, with practices and matches hosted at nearby local courts. Team selection is based on a ladder system, encouraging healthy competition while ensuring that players are grouped according to their ability. WPPS regularly enters U13 and U11 teams into league competitions, and boys across the school also benefit from professional coaching throughout the year. Whether social or competitive, tennis at WPPS provides boys with the chance to grow their skills in a supportive environment.
Athletics at WPPS is offered as a summer sport in the first and fourth terms. Our annual Interhouse Athletics Day, held early in the year, features a full programme of events designed to encourage participation, build confidence, and foster house spirit. Following Inter-house Athletics, selected athletes go on to represent WPPS at the annual Inter-school events along side our neighbouring boys schools. For these boys, it is an opportunity to test themselves against strong competition, while proudly representing their school.
Rugby at WPPS is about far more than the final whistle – it is about courage, commitment, and camaraderie. From their first introduction to the game, boys are guided to develop strong foundations in technique, teamwork, and respect for opponents. In Grades 1 and 2, boys enjoy mini-rugby once a week, where the focus is on fun, teamwork, and developing the basics of the game. By Grade 3, they begin playing weekly competitive fixtures against other schools. Across the age groups, rugby remains one of the most popular sports, with boys eagerly looking forward to Saturday fixtures. While competition is an exciting part of the experience, the true value lies in the friendships formed, the resilience built on the field, and the joy of playing together as a team.
Hockey is one of the major winter sports at WPPS, introduced from the early years of a boy’s journey through the school. With access to a half-size astroturf as well as additional practice and match facilities, every boy has the opportunity to develop his skills in a supportive environment. In Grades 1 and 2, boys enjoy mini-hockey once a week, where the focus is on fun, teamwork, and developing the basics of the game. By Grade 3, they begin playing weekly competitive fixtures against other schools. Our programme places emphasis on enjoyment, teamwork, and steady improvement.
At WPPS, cross country is offered as a winter extra-mural, giving boys the chance to build fitness, resilience, and a love for the outdoors. While every boy takes part in at least one team sport each term, cross country provides a wonderful avenue for those who enjoy competing as individuals, or who simply want to challenge themselves in a different way. From Grade 2 upwards, boys train under the guidance of dedicated staff who ensure sessions are safe, fun, and engaging. For some, this means pushing their limits in longer runs; for others, it’s about enjoying the camaraderie of running with friends in our beautiful natural surroundings.
Squash is available to boys from Grade 4 to Grade 7 and continues to grow in popularity each year. Played at nearby courts, it offers a fast-paced, challenging option for boys who enjoy individual racquet sports. Teams are selected through a ladder system which adds to the excitement, encouraging boys to set goals and track their progress. At WPPS, squash is more than just a league sport – it is a way for boys to discover determination, discipline, and the satisfaction of individual growth, all while enjoying the camaraderie of being part of a squad.
At WPPS, we believe that boys are afforded the opportunity to play sport at a competitive level, appropriate for their age and expertise, through our regular matches, tours and festivals involving opposition from all over South Africa and beyond.
Provincial selection at prep school level is a contentious issue; often attributes, like size owing to differing development, are given precedence over skill in a win-at-all-costs environment.
Not with standing our acknowledgement of the opportunities that may arise from provincial selection in a sport, we do not actively encourage boys to put themselves forward for selection for these teams, especially where a boy’s already busy schedule is further loaded, and when this would impact negatively on his school, family and social life. We also, unfortunately, do not have the staff to accommodate those provincial sports codes where our coaches are required to take on extra duties beyond those at WPPS.
We believe that the exposure given to our top sportsmen, through the network of schools against which we play, is sufficient for them to be rewarded with the prospects that they deserve during their future educational and sporting careers.