Saints in the Spotlight: Behind the Stories of the Big BUCS Wednesday Star Performers

Wednesday, 19 March was a landmark day for St Andrews sport. With the Women’s Football 1s chasing a national title and the Men’s Rugby 1s battling for the BUCS Rugby Union National Trophy, the stage was set for a day that more than lived up to the hype of Big BUCS Wednesday.

I had the privilege of being in Loughborough for the action, and the energy on campus was off the charts. With student spectators — beer cans in hand — friends and families lining the barricades, and the golden sunshine drenching the city, everything was primed for a sporting spectacle.

By the final whistles, both St Andrews teams had written their names into the history books and emerged victorious in two hard-fought finals.

Among the celebrations, two standout players were named BUCS Player of the Match by the officials: Olivia Boscaccy and Chris Schreuder. The Saint caught up with the pair to hear about their reflections on the day—and the stories behind their success.

Image taken by Sandy Coull

An interview with Olivia Boscaccy:

Two goals and Player of the Match in the national final — how did that feel?

It was genuinely such a surprise — I didn’t even know it was being awarded.

I didn’t feel fully in control during the game and really had to dig deep. Both goals felt almost accidental. The first came after a great team buildup — I blanked and just hit the ball. The second goal was me hoping that I could get anything off the rebound. I don’t even think of myself as a playmaker, so it was surreal.

The pure elation I felt running to celebrate with my team, revelling in the hope that we could win this game — I haven’t felt such joy from footy like that in a long time. I will always cherish those celebrations with my team.

Late kickoff, high stakes, long travel — how did you stay focused and composed

through it all?

It was a weird adjustment driving up the day of the game. We were all very excited, but knew we had to ‘lock in’ as the kick-off got closer. We had a lot of time to settle into the emotions when we got to the stadium.

I think I can speak for the whole team when I say we went in with a “we absolutely cannot and will not lose” mindset. You could feel it in the locker room — nerves, excitement, and total determination.

Have mentors helped shape your development?

Definitely. Jay Gilman built my foundation and work ethic that I pride myself on today. Gareth Munro brought out a different player in me — someone who thrived in creativity and drive. He gave me a chance by selecting me as the only freshman to play on the varsity team and supported me all four years. He also helped me believe that playing at St Andrews was possible.

And here at university, Stu, Wayne, Ali, and Allan have elevated my game and have transformed me into the player I am today.

What does this team mean to you?

Everything. I have never in my entire career played on a team with such friendship and joy. The team always supports each other in everything we do.

An interview with Christopher Schreuder:

Congratulations! How does it feel to be named Player of the Match?

Thank you. I’m very grateful. It is probably the best way to end what’s been a very successful season. I couldn’t have done it without the rest of the team on the day. The Man of the Match award could’ve gone to anyone.

What was going through your head during the final whistle? Did it feel real straight away?

It took a few minutes to set in. An unrealistic thought for us at the start of the season had become a reality. I just felt very proud to be a Saint. It was special to share the moment with all my teammates.

Loughborough had a strong home crowd. How did you manage that added pressure as a visiting team, especially for you as a fly-half?

I learnt how to deal with noisy crowds during my school rugby days. Back in South Africa, it was never easy playing away games, and those experiences helped me elevate my game for this occasion. It is also very satisfying as a visiting team hearing the home crowd go quiet. That fuels the fire.

You handled your conversions brilliantly. How do you stay composed in those high-pressure moments?

I’ve always loved kicking and think that it’s one of my biggest strengths. I just focus on my routine and trust it. I’ve also had some high-pressure moments in my career where I’ve had to slot important kicks. Those experiences helped me deal better in this high-pressure game.

Was there a moment in the match where you felt the game shift in your favour?

A stand-out moment was Angus Mather’s try in the second half. There was some individual brilliance involved from Jamie Thomson, which was capped off by a world-class finish from Angus. That score put us 23-3 up, which gave us the belief that we were going to win the game.

What does the trophy mean to you personally?

This was likely my last competitive rugby game ever and was the perfect way to end my rugby career. Winning the trophy is one of my biggest highlights, together with winning the Varsity match against Edinburgh at the start of the season.

What do you think you've brought to the team this season, on a leadership or mentality level?

I was expected to bring leadership and a different dynamic to the team through my experiences in my professional career. I hope that I lived up to those expectations and believe that I have left the jersey in a better place than I found it.

We wanted a more high-performance mindset this season. The whole team bought into it. You could see the emotions on the team’s faces after a few narrow defeats in the league. Every time we walked onto the field, we expected to win. I trust that this mindset will carry over to the future seasons to come.

A Day to Remember

From the first conversion to the final free kick, Big BUCS Wednesday delivered a showcase of determination, teamwork, and standout individual brilliance. Olivia Boscaccy and Chris Schreuder’s performances were the embodiment of that spirit — decisive, composed, and humble in the face of pressure.

But perhaps what made the day so special was what lay behind the silverware: the quiet resilience, the leadership, the hours of preparation, and the bonds forged in training.

Two teams. Two titles. One unforgettable day for St Andrews sport.

Image taken by Sandy Coull