'Bish-Bosch' series takes on new edge

PREVIEW: Bishops will be desperate to end their losing streak in the derby at Rondebosch this Saturday, while Paarl Gym could extend their winning run when they visit Boland Landbou.

The first half of the schoolboy season will draw to a close this weekend.

The likes of Affies, Grey College and other juggernauts in the central and northern regions of the country have already signed off for the term, with some of the players turning their attention to the upcoming fixtures at Craven Week, which will be held at Middelburg from July 7 to 12.

Helpmekaar rounded off the first half of their campaign with a 52-43 win over Waterkloof last weekend, while Noordheuwel and EG Jansen also claimed victories to strengthen their prospects in the Noordvaal Cup.

Westville thumped Michaelhouse 50-20 to finish their season with 13 wins in a row.

A few of the other leading schools in KwaZulu-Natal will play their final matches this weekend.

Several other big matches will be staged in the Western and Eastern Cape.

@Rugby365com takes a closer look at some of the match-ups scheduled for this weekend.

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RONDEBOSCH V BISHOPS

Bishops may want to forget about what transpired in the ‘Bish-Bosh’ double-header last season.

Rondebosch won 31-16 at Bishops, before winning 22-5 at home to clinch the series 2-0.

Overall, Bishops have lost their last three fixtures against Rondebosch, with their most recent victory coming on 10 June 2023.

One of South Africa’s most famous rugby schools struggled in 2024, losing 12 out of 17 matches.

This season, Bishops have won four out of 13.

It’s been seven matches since they last tasted victory, with their most recent win coming against Brackenfell at home on 12 April.

Meanwhile, Rondebosch have impressed and disappointed in equal measure over the past few months.

Their 2025 record reads: seven wins, one draw, and four losses.

Rondebosch held Paarl Gym – the leading team in the country – to a draw at the start of the season, and managed to beat another form team in Oakdale.

And yet, they have also lost to the likes of KES, Stellenberg and Wynberg. The latter result may well cost them the Cape Town southern suburbs crown.

Rondebosch will go into the next game Bishops as favourites, but if the hosts spring a surprise, it may well rank as one of the bigger upsets of the season.

BOLAND LANDBOU V PAARL GYM

Paarl Gym thrashed SACS 82-7 last weekend to extend their unbeaten run to 13 matches.

That attacking performance at SACS marked the eighth time that Pieter Rossouw’s charges have scored more than 40 points in a match this season – and the third time they’ve racked up more than 80.

Boland Landbou started the season well, winning five of their first seven matches, and holding Wynberg to a draw.

They’ve battled to compete against the leading teams, though, recording losses to Affies, Paul Roos, Rondebosch and Paarl Boys in recent weeks.

Needless to say, they will have their hands full when they host Gimmies this Saturday.

GRAEME COLLEGE V UNION

Graeme College are enjoying a fine season, having won 11 out of 13 matches.

That run includes interprovincial successes against St Johns and Pretoria Boys High, while their only local defeat came at the hands of St Andrews.

Graeme will expect to beat Union this weekend and extend their current winning streak to four games.

Indeed, it will be interesting to see whether they can build on this streak in the coming months.

Graeme should be too strong for Pearson and Dale College, but will need to fight tooth and nail to beat Queen’s College, who boast a similar winning record at this stage of the season, with 12 wins in 15 matches.

SELECTED FIXTURES (JUNE 21)

St Albans v Kearsney
St Stithians v St Johns
Hilton v Michaelhouse
Dale College v St Andrews
Graeme College v Union
Rondebosch v Bishops
Boland Landbou v Paarl Gym
SACS v Wynberg

RESULTS (JUNE 14)

EG Jansen 34 Menlopark 22
Helpmekaar 52 Waterkloof 43
Monument 41 Nelspruit 34
Rustenburg 7 Noordheuwel 27
Hilton 20 Maritzburg College 23
Michaelhouse 20 Westville 50
Selborne 22 Cambridge 0
Kingswood 22 St Andrews 25
Paarl Boys 33 Bishops 12
SACS 7 Paarl Gym 82