California Rugby Kicks Off Spring Season Against Cal Poly

BERKELEY, CA – The Golden Bears are ready to welcome fans to Witter Rugby Field for their first match of 2026 as they host Cal Poly this Saturday at 1 p.m. PT. This match marks the beginning of a promising regular season, featuring four home games for the Bears.

Bears’ Impressive Spring Preparation

The Golden Bears had a stellar time on the sevens circuit last fall, achieving an undefeated run and securing three consecutive West Coast Collegiate 7s championships in Los Angeles, Palo Alto, and San Diego. They also kicked off their XVs campaign impressively, overpowering UC Santa Cruz with a staggering 99-0 victory. In this match, standout performances from sophomores Tom Archer, Max Paga, and Chris Biller, each scoring two tries, showcased the Bears’ strength.

Cal Poly’s Recent Form

In contrast, Cal Poly enters the match with a record of 3-2 from their fall XVs games. Their season included notable defeats to Arizona (22-46) and BYU (12-21), but they bounced back with decisive wins over Silicon Valley (45-10), Sacramento State (77-15), and Long Beach State (68-14). The Mustangs will aim to build on their two-match winning streak as they face the Bears in Strawberry Canyon.

Historical Matchup Insights

The last encounter between the Bears and the Mustangs occurred on January 18 last season, where the Bears claimed a decisive 57-14 victory with an impressive nine tries scored. Key contributions came from returning player Solomon Williams, who converted two tries, and Rand Santos, who added six conversions.

The most recent matchup in Berkeley was during the first round of the 2024 D1A National Collegiate Championship Playoffs, where the Bears triumphed over the Mustangs with a resounding score of 70-13, paving their way to the quarterfinals.

Leadership and Team Dynamics

Leading the Bears on Saturday is Rand Santos, the team captain, supported by veteran players like senior hooker Cade Crist and reliable fullback Oliver Newall. Additionally, this match presents a critical opportunity for first-choice players such as Alex Viera, Brice Muller, Ryan Wenstrom, Seamus Deely, and Oliver Teague, alongside a reserve bench featuring several debutants.

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As the Golden Bears embark on this new season, all eyes will be on their performance against Cal Poly. Will they continue their dominant streak, or will the Mustangs turn the tide? Fans are encouraged to come out and support their team in this exciting opener!