Schools power rankings: Jon Cardinelli's mid-year report

OPINION: Paarl Gymnasium finished the first part of the season at the top of the national rankings, while Garsfontein, Hilton and Graeme enjoyed regional success.

The first part of the South African schools season officially concluded this past weekend.

Most of the learners will enjoy a break over the next few weeks, before the action resumes in the third term.

Meanwhile, the leading players will feature at the U18 Craven Week at Grey High School in Gqeberha between July 6 and 11. At this point, it’s worth reflecting on where the respective teams stand.

Ranking the First XV teams is a complex and largely subjective task, for various reasons.

Nevertheless, I’ve compiled the following ‘power rankings’ list – taking overall records as well as marquee results into account.

As things stand, Gimmies sit at the top of the rankings, closely followed by Stellenberg, Paul Roos and Garsfontein.

Stellenberg have been the big success story in 2026, claiming wins against traditional powerhouses like Gimmies, Paul Roos and Grey College, and another leading school in Oakdale.

The Jade Brigade has won 14 matches this season, with their two losses coming against Garsfontein and Paarl Boys.

With that overall record in mind, many will ask why Divan Batt’s side aren’t rated as highly as Gimmies. It’s worth remembering that they won the head-to-head clash 20-19 back in March.

And yet, it’s hard to deny that Gimmies have taken their game to another level since that early-season defeat.

While their 13-1 record serves as a statement, the quality of their performances and the magnitude of their victories have been impossible to ignore.

Pieter Rossouw’s charges have won the marquee games against other traditional powerhouses – namely Paul Roos, Affies, Grey College and Oakdale – by 15 points or more.

The Gimmies attack has scored 40 or more points in 11 out of 14 fixtures, while their defence is yet to concede more than 24 in a match. While Paul Roos have lost to Gimmies and Stellenberg, they boast a 12 from 14 record.

Garsfontein have won 11 from 13 to date, and count Stellenberg, Affies, Boishaai and Oakdale among their most notable victims.

After thrashing Monument 61-32 in Krugersdorp, Garsies are well placed to push for a fourth- consecutive Noordvaal Cup title.

Chasing Pack

Affies have recorded heavy losses to Gimmies and Paul Roos. They will lament the defeat to local rivals Garsfontein as well as the shock loss against Michaelhouse.

That said, there have been reasons for the Wit Bulle to celebrate, following a long-awaited win at Grey College and a victory against Boishaai, who were the leading team in the country last year.

It’s not often that Grey College records two or three losses in a season. The class of 2026, however, has lost four in the space of four months, and have plummeted down the rankings as a result.

Like Grey, Boishaai find themselves outside the top five, following a disappointing start to the season that included four losses as well as a draw with Oakdale.

Monument’s record includes a 10-game winning streak and memorable victories against Durban High School and Westlake from New Zealand.

Oakdale had a year to remember in 2025 but have struggled to maintain that effort in 2026. Their overall record of five wins and five losses tell a story – and the draw with Boishaai is their only positive result against the so-called top dogs.

Outeniqua have impressed in recent months and are worthy of a place in the top 10. While they are yet to upset one of the top dogs, they were competitive in the losses to Boishaai and Oakdale – losing by four and six points respectively.

Overall, the Kwaggas have won seven, drawn one, and lost two – with KES, Boland Landbou, Maritzburg College and Framesby among their victims.

Regional leaders

Hilton’s terrific season ended on a losing note this past weekend, when they went down 16-20 at Michaelhouse.

It was a significant result for Michaelhouse, who levelled the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands series, and claimed their first derby win at Michaelhouse since 2015.

Nevertheless, Hilton can hold their heads high, having won 12 of their 14 matches.

DHS and Westville – who topped the regional standings in 2024 and 2025, respectively – haven’t been as consistent in recent months, while Maritzburg College and Northwood have also blown hot and cold.

In the Eastern Cape, Graeme College have picked up from where they left off in 2025 – and their current run includes 12 wins, one draw and one loss.

After a lean period, Dale College bounced back to win 13 from 16 in 2026.

The leading teams from the Winelands continue to dominate rugby in the Western Cape, and it may be some time yet before a side from Cape Town’s southern suburbs challenge the status quo.

Wynberg have won all three southern-suburbs derbies to date and may go on to complete the grand slam in the second part of the season.

That said, Wynberg have failed to impress in other matches, and suffered a 14-35 loss to Drostdy in March.

Bubbling under

Drostdy have beaten Wynberg, EG Jansen and Selborne – and were competitive in their 7-24 loss to Paul Roos at the start of the season.

Parel Vallei have racked up 10 wins in 11 matches – and may lament their missed opportunities in the big game against SACS, which they lost 7-19.

That said, they made a statement when they beat Hudson Park and Framesby at the Grey High Festival in April.

Diamantveld beat Monument at the beginning of the season, but have failed to kick on in subsequent months, as their eight-from-13-win record confirms.

Jim Fouche have emerged as one of the central region’s most consistent teams, winning 11 of their 14 matches – and beating Diamantveld 23-22 this past May.

Up north, Zwartkop have won 15 and lost two.

The Centurion-based team may be encouraged by their competitive performances at the Kearsney Festival this past April, even though they lost 14-31 to DHS and 19-22 to the hosts.