Christian Cotchobos (2015G) grew up in Cape Town where he attended Bishops Diocesan College.  He achieved nine distinctions in his Grade 12 Final NSC Examinations (2015).  Not only did he excel academically but also performed exceptionally well in his music exams at the Cape Town Eisteddfod graduating with distinction. He earned Leadership colours (with distinction) in his Matric year, in Gray House. 

Writing his end-of-season report, the captain of the so-called "Wild Boys" team wrote: " ... courage was probably the hallmark of this year’s Wild Boys."  Christian was a member of that team, which was the 4th XV Rugby side.  

Christian proceeded to the University of Cape Town where he studied an MBChB, graduating with first-class honours. During this time, he also completed a BSc Honours degree, specialising in infectious diseases and immunology.

He is currently a junior doctor in his second year of internship at Livingstone Hospital in the Eastern Cape. As an aspiring orthopaedic surgeon and clinician-scientist, his goal is to enhance surgical care through innovation research. 

His current focus is on improving intimate partner violence care provided by orthopaedic practitioners. He is completing a Master’s thesis on this topic with UCT’s Global Surgery Division.

Christian is a keen runner. At university, he was a national level 800m athlete and chairperson of UCT athletics.  He enjoys spending time in nature, hiking or trail running with friends, and playing guitar.

At Oxford, Christian hopes to pursue an MSc in Musculoskeletal Sciences.

Bishops and the ODU wish to congratulate Christian for this significant achievement and wish him much success at Oxford and for his career.

For further information about applying for the SA-at-Large Rhodes Scholarship, please contact Dr Paul Murray [email protected] the Old Diocesans Ambassador or Beverley Johnson, Regional Manager of the Rhodes Scholarships for Southern Africa, [email protected]  

Applications for the 2026 academic year will close in August 2025.