“Whose War Cry Is the Best”: Video Compilation Leaves SA Judging Between 3 Epic War Cries

• A TikToker @yes_oaks1 shared part four of their viral series comparing different South African high schools' war cries
• The passionate performances included musical instruments, poolside chanting and field displays
• Social media users were divided in the comments, with many voting for their favourite school and requesting special appearances

A TikTok content creator has sparked heated debate among South Africans after sharing the fourth instalment of his popular war cry comparison series.

Content creator @yes_oaks1, who regularly posts videos about boys' high schools and their unique traditions, uploaded the clip on 11 August 2025 with the caption:

"Who's War cry is the best, Part 4."

The video quickly went viral, gathering over 120,000 views, 6,000 reactions, and 83 comments from passionate viewers.

The video features three prestigious schools battling it out for the best war cry title. It starts with St Albans boys on their field, moves to Pretoria Boys High around their swimming pool with students jumping and chanting, and finishes with Selborne College, where boys play instruments while their schoolmates join in the energetic display.

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Mzansi reacts to school war cries

@r6mui joked:

"Pretoria boys are doing so much just for swimming."

@olwenotfound declared:

"St Albans any day 😭"

@seeyangovender requested:

"Do Livingstone."

@zama gushed:

"All I see is 'Red and Green' Pretoria Boys High😍😍😍"

@philanicwanini warned:

"Salborne, but be careful, Grey High is coming for you this weekend."

@camerontyrer said:

"I've seen Pretoria boys in person; they win every time."

@chlxe_lxx stated:

"It will always be Selborne for sure."

SA schools compete for the best war cry

According to Merriam Webster, a war cry is basically a loud shout or phrase people use before a fight to boost courage and scare the enemy. These days, it can also mean a catchy slogan or saying that brings people together and pumps them up for a cause or action.

According to Wikipedia, people have used battle cries for centuries to fire up their own side and scare their enemies. In ancient Greece, soldiers yelled “Alala!” to honour the goddess Athena, while today’s armies often shout phrases like “Hooah” or “Oorah.” No matter the time period, these chants help fighters feel braver and more connected as a team.

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For South African school boys, these war cries represent much more than just noise - they're expressions of school pride, unity, and tradition that bring students together and create lasting memories. Each school develops its own unique chant that reflects its values, history, and character. The boys pour their hearts into these performances, often incorporating musical instruments, coordinated movements, and passionate vocals that can be heard across rugby fields and swimming pools.

Watch the TikTok clip below:

3 Other stories about school war cries

• Briefly News recently reported on Northwood School boys preparing their famous war cry ahead of finals, with the passionate performance dividing social media users who compared it to rival schools.
• Wynberg Boys' High School amazed viewers with their 'nonchalant' war cry that started slow but ended with a surprising bang, proving that sometimes the best performances come when you least expect them.
• The same Cape Town school went viral again when their learners performed a modern war cry that blended hip-hop with traditional school spirit, leaving South Africans impressed by their creative approach to an age-old tradition.

Source: Briefly News