Can Grey College bounce back against Affies?

OPINION: Grey College will be out for redemption when they host Affies this weekend, while a rampant Paarl Boys side will have a score to settle at Wynberg.

The 2025 schoolboy season continues to serve up surprising results.

Boishaai, who struggled against some of the strongest teams in 2024, beat Grey College 25-10 last weekend to join Paarl Gym at the top of the @rugby365com rankings.

Gimmies beat Paul Roos 17-10 in a weather-affected fixture in Stellenbosch. They remain undefeated this season – although that record includes two draws.

Meanwhile, other top schools such as Boishaai and Affies have lost one game apiece, while Paul Roos and Grey – the two outstanding teams across the 2024 season – have already lost two.

Other strong performers in the Top 10 rankings include Oakdale and Durban High School, while Stellenberg have also impressed in recent months.

If Stellenberg beat Bishops this Saturday, they will complete a clean sweep of the big southern suburbs schools in Cape Town, having already taken down Wynberg, SACS and Rondebosch.

The leading KwaZulu-Natal sides will be in action in the Sharks Rugby Day at Hilton College this weekend, while up north, the Noordvaal Cup will continue to gather momentum.

@Rugby365com takes a closer look at some of the bigger matches scheduled for this Saturday.

GREY COLLEGE V AFFIES

Earlier this season, Gimmies beat Grey in Bloem to end the Free State side’s eight-year winning streak at home.

More recently, Boishaai handed Grey their second loss of the year.

It’s not often that Grey loses three games throughout a season, and these days, two home losses in Bloem are unheard of.

Affies have reason to feel confident, though, after winning eight of their 10 matches to date, and holding the country’s form team to a 16-16 draw at Paarl Gym last month.

Affies have had an extra week to prepare for the trip down to the Free State, having last played at the Wildeklawer Festival, where they edged Paul Roos 20-18 and thrashed Boland Landbou 74-14.

WYNBERG V PAARL BOYS

Last year, Wynberg’s 30-27 win over Boishaai at Brugstraat was viewed as one of the biggest upsets of the season.

Much has changed since then, with Boishaai rocketing to the top of the rankings following a couple of monumental wins.

Wynberg have been less consistent, losing to Stellenberg while beating Grey High School.

It’s a big ask to step up and compete against a side that is coming off a win against Grey College.

That said, if Wynberg surprise a complacent Boishaai side this weekend, they could secure one of the season’s biggest upsets for the second year in a row.

MENLOPARK V WATERKLOOF

Apart from Gimmies, there is another big school that is yet to taste defeat in 2025.

Menlopark have won seven and drawn one – a successful run that includes victories over Outeniqua and Helpmekaar.

Menlopark have started their Noordvaal Cup campaign with a bang, edging Helpmekaar 36-33 before downing Nelspruit 40-17.

Incidentally, the game they drew 23-23 was against Waterkloof last month.

Menlopark will have the opportunity to set the record straight when they face Klofies in Pretoria this Saturday, and strengthen their position in the Noordvaal Cup standings.

Klofies, who were among the most consistent teams in the north in 2024, have struggled this season, recording one win in their last seven matches.

They’re coming off a 19-53 defeat to Garsfontein, and will be under pressure to deliver a positive result at home this Saturday.

SELECTED FIXTURES (MAY 17)

Jeppe vs St JohnsNelspruit vs Helpmekaar
Waterkloof vs Menlopark
Noordheuwel vs KES
Grey College vs Affies
Michaelhouse vs Glenwood
St Andrews vs Queen’s College
Selborne vs Dale College
Bishops vs Stellenberg
Boland Landbou vs Paul Roos
Wynberg vs Paarl Boys
Oakdale vs Charlie Hofmeyr
SACS vs Rondebosch

RESULTS (MAY 10)

Jeppe 30 Northwood 24
EG Jansen 39 Monument 31
Garsfontein 53 Waterkloof 19
Helpmekaar 36 Noordheuwel 0
Menlopark 40 Nelspruit 17
Michaelhouse 50 Kearsney 17
Maritzburg 26 St Charles 16
Hilton 38 Pretoria Boys’ 24
Graeme 10 St Andrew’s 17
Wynberg 32 Grey High 27
Queen’s 21 Dale 13
Paarl Boys’ 25 Grey College 10
Bishops 14 SACS 14
Oakdale 43 Durbanville 7
Paul Roos 10 Paarl Gym 17
Stellenberg 23 Rondebosch 22