Regional schools preview 2026: Central and KZN

PREVIEW: Grey College will have a point to prove against the other national heavyweights this season, while Durban High School and Westville will scrap for the KwaZulu-Natal crown.

Rugby365 is running a series of regional previews, focusing on the leading First XVs and big matches in the Western Cape, Noordvaal, Central, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

As far as big festivals in the Central and KwaZulu-Natal regions are concerned, Kearsney will host their Easter Festival between 2 and 4 April. Touring teams such as the Catholic University School (Dublin, Ireland), Verona Rugby Club (Italy) and Peterhouse (Zimbabwe) should test some of the local sides.

From 24 to 27 April, South Africa’s leading schools will head to Diamantveld in Kimberley for the annual Wildeklawer Sports Tournament.

CENTRE OF ATTENTION

It’s been a few seasons since Grey College were the No.1 team in the country, and it remains to be seen if they will overcome the likes of Paarl Boys, Paarl Gym and Paul Roos in 2026.

Any other side would kill for Grey’s record, but have failed to meet their own high standards in recent years.

They won 14 of their 16 matches in 2025, but may will remember the losses more than the victories.

Grey went down 31-43 to Gimmies in Bloem – their first home loss in eight years – and lost 10-25 to Boishaai in Paarl.

The Free State rugby season kicks off on February 28, and Grey will aim to hit the ground running in their first fixture against Trio at the President Steyn Sports Day.

They should be too strong for Welkom Gym on March 7, but the fixture should prepare them for a physical battle with Oakdale in Riversdale on March 14.

Jannie Geldenhuys’ side should take some momentum into the North-South tournament, where they will face Helpmekaar and Stellenberg.

They will want to give a good account of themselves against Nudgee, a touring Australian side, at the St Johns Easter festival.

Ultimately, Grey will be judged by how they fare against the other top dogs in 2026.

The second phase of their schedule is especially challenging, as they will face Gimmies away (April 18), Boishaai at home (May 9), Affies away (May 16) and Paul Roos away (August 15).

Grey may focus on those four matches in an attempt to regain the unofficial No.1 ranking.

At the same time, they should be mindful of other tricky matches that could impact on their overall record. They won’t have forgotten their loss to Jeppe at the 2024 North-South tournament.

In 2026, the clash against Oakdale looms as a potential banana peel, and Grey will have to be careful in terms of how they manage their resources across matches against Noordheuwel and Jeppe, given they will be staged over three days at the Wilderklawer Tournament.

While not in the same league, Diamantveld will be aiming for another strong showing after winning 16 of their 20 matches in 2025.

That run that included 50-point performances against Framesby and Welkom Gym, as well as a 38-31 win over Maritzburg College.

Diamantveld should continue to dominate the local battles in 2026, but will expect more return in interprovincial clashes against Monument (March 7), Waterkloof (March 27), Jeppe (March 30), Queens College (April 24) and Stellenberg (April 27).

KZN BATTLE

The KwaZulu-Natal teams are not quite in the same bracket as Affies, the Cape Winelands trio and Grey College.

That said, the likes of DHS and Westville have progressed a great deal over the past two years.

Westville finished the 2025 season with 13 consecutive wins, and even managed to beat DHS 33-28 in a game that doubled as a regional final.

While Westville earned the right to the KZN title in 2025, DHS had a tougher schedule – and there’s something to be said for the fact that they still managed to win 15 of their 17 matches.

That list of wins included interprovincial successes against Selborne, Rustenburg, Monument, Jeppe and KES, while their only other loss came against Gimmies at the Wilderklawer Tournament (20-47).

DHS face a similar schedule this season, and will be determined to make a statement when they meet Gimmies for a rematch at the same tournament on May 9.

The battle between DHS against Westville in Durban on May 30 will be one to watch, as will the two local derbies between DHS and Northwood (April 18 and August 1).

Hilton were among the strongest teams in KZN last season, and managed to beat Michaelhouse in both of the big Midlands derbies.

Hilton could make a statement this year, if they pick up some big wins outside of the province – and may be targeting the visit to Bishops on April 25.

The KZN season opener between Westville and Hilton on March 14 may set the tone for both teams.

Westville will want to build on their excellent 2025 campaign and gather some momentum before travelling to the Wilderklawer Tournament for the first time – where they will battle Oakdale and Waterkloof.

Maritzburg College lost to DHS, Northwood, Westville last year, but managed to beat Michaelhouse, Hilton and Glenwood.

College may be hard-pressed to improve on their local record this season, given that they will face Westville (March 21) and Northwood (May 16) away, and DHS on neutral soil at the Sharks Rugby Day (May 9).