Local school derbies take centre stage

PREVIEW: Bishops face a tough ask against Rondebosch this Saturday, while Maritzburg College will fancy their chances against Michaelhouse in the big KZN Midlands derby.

Relatively few school fixtures will be staged over the next couple of weeks, as some teams enjoy a much-needed break.

That said, the Noordvaal, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern and Western Cape regions will all host significant local derbies.

The results of these matches could have a bearing on where the respective teams finish in the national rankings.

Continues below…

Rugby365 looks ahead to some of the big match-ups scheduled for Saturday.

BISHOPS V RONDEBOSCH

Bishops have had a tough run over the past few seasons and will go into the next clash against their arch-rivals as underdogs.

The southern suburbs powerhouse is in the process of rebuilding its rugby structures, and there have been moments across the 2026 season where they have shown progress.

Bishops won their first five games of the campaign, and at that stage, they appeared to be on the right track.

Since then, they have lost seven out of eight matches – a run that includes defeats to other Cape Town southern suburbs rivals such as SACS and Wynberg.

More recently, they were thrashed 3-68 by Paul Roos and 5-59 by Stellenberg.

Perhaps they will turn things around this Saturday, when they return to the Piley Rees after four consecutive games on the road.

Then again, considering Rondebosch”s recent results, perhaps not.

Bosch have been among the country’s top 20 teams in recent seasons, but have struggled to break through to the elite tier.

Consistency has been a problem.

Bosch have won eight and lost five this season. They’ve gone down to top teams in Paarl Boys, Paul Roos and Stellenberg – and have also succumbed to Wynberg and Boland Landbou.

More recently, they thrashed Durbanville 55-19 and hammered Milnerton 63-7.

They should beat Bishops this weekend – and it’s worth noting that they won both legs of the Bish-Bosch series last season.

That said, the final clash of the 2025 campaign was particularly close, with Bosch eventually winning 28-22.

When Bishops reflect on that 2025 result, they may feel that they have a chance this Saturday.

MARITZBURG COLLEGE V MICHAELHOUSE

Maritzburg College are on something of a roll, having won their last five matches.

All five wins have come against KZN opposition.

Overall, they’ve won nine of their 13 games in 2026 and have lost just one match to a regional opponent – going down 10-26 to Westville in March.

All that said, Michaelhouse may feel that they have a chance this week, given that some of the regional battles involving College have been particularly close.

College edged Durban High 18-17, Northwood 27-24, Hilton 14-9 and Kearsney 24-22.

Will the next scoreline be as close?

Michaelhouse made a series of statements at the beginning of the season when they beat Northwood, Affies and Jeppe.

The 29-27 victory against Affies was particularly significant and showcased the power of the House forwards against a more-fancied Wit Bulle pack.

House have lost momentum in subsequent months, dropping games to Grey High, Hilton and Kearsney.

Last week, they were thrashed 19-52 at Westville.

With only two matches remaining in their season, they will be desperate to bounce back.

Following the clash with College, they will tackle Hilton in the next leg of the big Midlands series.

Hilton edged the first encounter 23-21, but the second fixture will be staged at Michaelhouse.

OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH

Waterkloof will have the chance to move up the Noordvaal Cup ladder when they host Noordheuwel this weekend.

Klofies are currently third in the standings with 16 points, but have played one game fewer than second-placed Monument (21).

Noordheuwel (15) are fourth, while Garsfontein (29) are at the top of the table.

Hudson Park will look to build on their recent win against Dale when they host Stirling this Saturday.

Selborne have gathered momentum in recent weeks – claiming three consecutive wins – and will fancy their chances against Cambridge.

Paarl Gim should extend their own winning streak – currently 13 games – when they travel to Drostdy.

That said, the Donkies have had a terrific year and have already beaten the likes of Wynberg, EG Jansen and Selborne.

While Bishops host Rondebosch, Wynberg will tackle SACS in the other big Cape Town southern suburbs derby on Saturday.

Stellenberg face a tricky trip to Boland Landbou, but should bolster their outstanding 13 from 15 win-record.

SELECTED FIXTURES JUNE 13

NOORDVAAL

Waterkloof v Noordheuwel
Pretoria Boys v St Albans
St Davids v St Johns
Helpmekaar v Middelburg

EASTERN CAPE

Cambridge v Selborne
Stirling v Hudson Park
St Andrews v Kingswood

KWAZULU-NATAL

Hilton v Kearsney
Maritzburg College v Michaelhouse

WESTERN CAPE

Boland Landbou v Stellenberg
Wynberg v SACS
Bishops v Rondebosch
Drostdy v Paarl Gim

Image credit: Maritzburg College