Peregrine Capital and the Rugby Centurions Maintain Long-Term Focus
Achieving the milestone of 100 is a significant accomplishment that resonates across various fields, be it sports, life, or investments. It symbolizes commitment, achievement, and a lasting legacy, which is precisely why Peregrine Capital and the Rugby Centurions Foundation formed a partnership a year ago.
As the sole hedge fund manager in South Africa that has returned 100 times its initial investment to investors—not just once, but twice—through its premier High Growth and Pure Hedge funds, Peregrine Capital understands the journey from 1 to 100.
One year later, this collaboration continues to gain momentum.
The Rugby Centurions celebrates elite athletes who have amassed 100 or more international test caps for their nation. This achievement is rare and demands over a decade of competing at the highest levels while overcoming injuries, fluctuating performance, and the pressures of selection.
Peregrine Capital’s own statistics reflect a comparable narrative of resilience
Since its inception on 1 February 2000, the flagship High Growth Fund has recorded a cumulative net return of 20,809.20% (annualised: 22.42% since launch).
This means that an initial investment of R1 million back in 2000 would now exceed R209 million*. In 2020, the High Growth Fund became the first ever in South Africa to surpass the 100x net return threshold and has continued to grow significantly beyond it.
The Pure Hedge Fund, which has never recorded a negative year since its launch in July 1998, has also joined this elite group—its cumulative net return now stands at 10,929.59% since inception, approximately equating to a 110x return on capital**.
Together, these two hedge funds are the only ones in South African history to have exceeded the 100-times return milestone.
Since their launch, this collaboration has evolved from a standalone event into a comprehensive program focused on the common theme of the journey from 1 to 100.
In July of this year, Peregrine Capital and the Rugby Centurions debuted a new television advertisement on SuperSport.
In August, the partnership returns to the fundraising scene.
Peregrine Capital will orchestrate a series of events featuring the Rugby Centurions along with two of the most celebrated All Black Centurions, Dan Carter and Richie McCaw, to generate additional funds for worthy causes.
In October, a three-part TV series will air on SuperSport highlighting The Centurions’ journey from 1 to 100.
As The Centurions prepares to welcome a new cohort of players in the approaching months, Peregrine Capital eagerly anticipates the ongoing support and expansion of this partnership.
Jacques Conradie, CEO of Peregrine Capital, states: “One year in, this partnership has materialized into exactly what we envisioned—not merely a one-off campaign, but a continuous demonstration of what it takes to achieve compounded success over time, both on the field and in the marketplace. We’re excited to keep building upon it with fresh events, new content series, and additional Centurions joining us soon.”
Legendary Springbok John Smit’s remarks at the launch continue to encapsulate the essence of the partnership: “The number 100 signifies a distinct benchmark, and remarkably few reach it. It embodies resilience, focus, professionalism, consistency, passion, discipline, and determination.
“These characteristics form the foundation of a rugby player’s endeavor to reach 100 international test caps.
“We witnessed these shared values in Peregrine Capital, which is why this partnership resonated with us,” Smit added.
Through this partnership, Peregrine Capital is committed to illuminating The Centurions’ legacy by promoting our shared values—the very traits that characterize both legendary athletes and exceptional investors on the path from 1 to 100.
* This refers to the Peregrine Capital High Growth QI Fund. An investment of R1 million at inception is valued at over R209 million, compared to R14.5 million for the SA Multi Asset – High Equity Category and R14.6 million for CPI +5. Annualised returns since inception (February 2000): High Growth Fund: 22.42% | SA Multi Asset – High Equity Category: 10.66% | CPI +5: 10.67%.
** This refers to the Peregrine Capital Pure Hedge QI Fund. An investment of R1 million at inception is valued at over R110 million, compared to R13.9 million for the SA Multi Asset – Low Equity Category and R4.4 million for CPI. Annualised returns since inception (July 1998): Pure Hedge Fund: 18.29% | SA Multi Asset – Low Equity Category: 9.86% | CPI: 5.42%.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Peregrine Capital Collective Investments (RF) Proprietary Limited (“PCCI”) is a registered and approved manager of collective investment schemes in hedge funds. Peregrine Capital Proprietary Limited (“Peregrine Capital”) is an authorised Financial Services Provider (FSP 607) under the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, No. 37 of 2002 and serves as the investment manager or sub-investment manager of the portfolios. Performance data presented reflects historical returns and is provided solely for informational and comparative purposes. Collective investment schemes are medium to long-term investments. The value of participatory interests or the investment may fluctuate, and past performance is not an indicator of future returns. These schemes are traded at prevailing prices and may involve borrowing and scrip lending. A comprehensive fee schedule and maximum commissions are available on request from PCCI or Peregrine Capital. Neither PCCI nor Peregrine Capital guarantees capital or returns for any portfolio. PCCI holds full legal responsibility for the applicable portfolios. PCCI reserves the right to close portfolios to new clients for efficient management in accordance with their mandates. Peregrine Capital High Growth QI Hedge Fund: Performance fees are applicable on positive performance using a participation rate of 20%. A high watermark is applicable to ensure performance fees are only charged on new performance, without a cap on the Rand amount of these fees. Peregrine Capital Pure Hedge QI Hedge Fund: Performance fees apply on positive performance exceeding the hurdle, with a participation rate of 20%. A high watermark is also applied here to ensure fees are only charged on new performance, with no cap on the Rand amount. Performance is calculated using net NAV to NAV values with income reinvested. Individual investor returns may vary due to initial fees (if applicable), actual investment dates, reinvestment timing, distribution dates, or applicable taxes. For periods greater than 1 year used in the past performance calculations, figures may be annualised. Annualised performance represents the average annual return over the period. Detailed annual figures and performance calculations are available upon request at ask@peregrine.co.za. The performance illustrated corresponds to the portfolio based on a lump sum contribution on the fund’s inception date. The investment performance for each displayed period reflects the net returns for clients fully invested throughout that time. The performance history is documented in the portfolios’ minimum disclosure documents, available at www.peregrine.co.za
| * Fund Name | Inception date | Highest annual return | Lowest annual return | Latest 1 year | Latest 5 years | Latest 15 years |
| High Growth Fund | Feb 2000 | 71.61% | -16.2% | 10.54% | 13.80% | 16.91% |
| Asisa South Africa MA High Equity | Feb 2000 | 39.47% | -14.75% | 12.33% | 10.96% | 9.37% |
| ** Fund Name | Inception date | Highest annual return | Lowest annual return | Latest 1 year | Latest 5 years | Latest 15 years |
| Pure Hedge Fund | Jul 1998 | 133.81% (1999) | 0.59% (2008) | 7.00% | 11.26% | 12.27% |
| Asisa South Africa MA Low Equity | Jul 1998 | 40.59% | -3.10% | 11.98% | 9.88% | 8.48% |
Data as of 30 June 2026 – Source: Peregrine Capital, Morningstar, Bloomberg.
The calculation of all net returns from 1 February 2000 until 30 November 2016 pertains to the Peregrine High Growth Fund, preceding its inclusion under CISCA. Subsequently, the data relates to the Peregrine Capital High Growth QI Hedge Fund* (“High Growth Fund”). Likewise, the calculation of all net returns from 1 July 1998 until 30 November 2016 relates to the Peregrine Pure Hedge Fund, prior to its inclusion under CISCA, after which it pertains to the Peregrine Capital Pure Hedge QI Hedge Fund** (“Pure Hedge Fund”).
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