Cal Opens 2026 D1A National Collegiate Championships with Dominant 88-5 Win Over San Diego at Witter Rugby Field

California Golden Bears rugby team advanced to the semifinals of the 2026 D1A National Collegiate Championships with a 59-19 victory over Saint Mary’s College on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Witter Rugby Field in Berkeley.

The win secured Cal’s place in the national semifinals, where they will host the winner of the Arizona versus Grand Canyon matchup on April 25th, as previously outlined in their postseason path.

Postseason Progression and Context

Cal entered the tournament as the West Region No. 1 seed with a perfect 13-0 regular season record, earning home-field advantage throughout the 2026 D1A National Collegiate Championships. The Golden Bears opened their postseason campaign with a dominant 88-5 victory over eighth-seeded San Diego in the first round on April 11, 2026, at Witter Rugby Field.

Defending Champions Seeking Repeat Title

California are the defending national champions, having won their 29th rugby 15s national title in 2025. That victory ended an uncharacteristic championship drought dating back to 2017. The team has maintained its elite form into the 2026 season, entering the postseason with a 14-0 record after the first two rounds.

Path to the Final and Key Upcoming Match

Should Cal defeat their semifinal opponent, they will advance to the D1A National Collegiate Championship final, scheduled for May 2, 2026, in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Golden Bears will host all postseason rounds leading up to the final at Witter Rugby Field in Berkeley, leveraging their top seed.

Roster Adjustments and Coaching Approach

Head coach Jack Clark opted to hold out most of his starters during the first-round match against San Diego, a decision that did not impact the outcome given the team’s depth. Cal graduated several key contributors from their 2025 championship-winning starting XV, including captain Charlie Walsh, Tom Dixon, Dom Paga, Ieremia Ieremia, and Joe Kirsten. Bryan Bogne was lost to a season-ending injury prior to the 2026 spring season.

Opponent Analysis and Semifinal Outlook

Saint Mary’s College reached the semifinals with a 60-10 victory over Colorado State in their respective quarterfinal matchup. In the other semifinal bracket, Arizona advanced with a 41-35 win over Grand Canyon. The winner of that contest will face Cal in the national semifinal, with the game to be hosted by the Golden Bears at Witter Rugby Field.