Boyes was educated at Diocesan College and St. Andrew's College, Grahamstown before playing provincial rugby for Griqualand West. He made two appearances for South Africa, both during Great Britain's 1891 tour. Boyes was selected to play in the 1st match of the series, which was South Africa's first as a Test nation, Great Britain won the game 4–0. He also played in the second Test, another Great Britain victory, but was not included in the side for the final match. Boyes died the following year, in Kimberley, at the age of 24 when he fell off the switchback railway at the Kimberley Exhibition.