California rugby returns home to Witter Rugby Field following a bye week to celebrate Homecoming and National Championship Reunions as the Golden Bears take on the United States Naval Academy Midshipmen on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. PT, with a reserve-grade match to follow.
 
Cal will be welcoming back all rugby alumni to Saturday's match with recognition planned for several former national championship teams who are celebrating special anniversaries. The 2026 event recognizes championships won in five-year increments, with years ending in one and six being honored. The Bears will be celebrating the national XV's champions of 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, and 2016, along with the 2016 national sevens championship team.
 
Cal returns to Strawberry Canyon after a 64-21 victory over BYU two weekends ago. The Bears' defense was stifling, holding BYU scoreless after an opening try until six minutes left in the contest. It was a balanced team effort with nine different Bears scoring 10 tries in the victory.
 
Cal last played Navy on Feb. 22 last season in Annapolis, and the Midshipmen handed the visiting Bears their only loss of the 2024-25 campaign, 27-3. Navy was last in Berkeley on March 16, 2024, a game Cal won 47-24.
 
Navy holds a 7-0 record in the 2025-26 XV's season with six of its first seven games being played in the fall. The Midshipmen have two victories over Mount St. Mary's (Md.), as well as wins over Queens (50-14), Mary Washington (65-3), Life (29-21), Penn State (36-7) and Army (21-16).
 
"They are the United States of America's Naval Academy," head coach Jack Clark said. "A highly resourced team of America's finest. We have nothing but admiration and respect for them. It is our responsibility to front to their challenge."
 
The Bears lineup is expected to feature the reliable trio of Oliver Kirk, Alex Vieira, and Cade Crist in the front row. Byron Finley should pair with Brice Muller in the second row. They hope to have Ryan Wenstrom return from injury to anchor the backrow. The talented halfback pairing of Rand Santos and Solomon Williams should remain, while the Bears will look to their depth to replace the injured Filip Edstrom in the midfield. Fortunately, the Bears look to welcome Max Threlkeld back from injury in the centers. Reliable fullback Oliver Newall is expected to get the nod again, while the Bears could pick from a talented group of wings to join him in the back three.
 
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