Schools preview: Paarl derby, Noordvaal Cup play-offs loom large
SPOTLIGHT: Rugby365 looks ahead to the biggest clashes of the second phase of the South African schools season.
SA Rugby’s Youth Weeks programme has officially concluded, and the players will turn their attention to the latter stages of the schools season.
Rugby365 looks at some of the biggest schools clashes scheduled for the next six weeks.
WESTERN CAPE
The Paarl derby at Faure Street Stadium on 2 August may double as a national final – as Paarl Gym and Paarl Boys are currently the leading teams in the country.
Gimmies are unbeaten after 14 matches, while Boishaai have won 14 out of 15.
The school schedule will resume in earnest next week, with Gimmies hosting Wynberg, and Boishaai playing SACS in Paarl.
Both fixtures should serve as preparation for the all-important derby seven days later. The last time these teams met in 2024, Gimmies won 30-8.
South Western Districts pushed Western Province close in the unofficial final of the U18 Craven Week, thanks to a large contingent of Oakdale players.
With the Craven Week done and dusted, Oakdale will set their sights on the big clash against Paul Roos on 2 August.
The fact that this game will be staged in Riversdale should count in their favour, as Oakdale are unbeaten ‘on the farm’ in 2025.
Paul Roos will have their work cut out for them at the back-end of the season. After travelling to Oakdale, they will head to Bloemfontein to tackle Grey College on 16 August.
Meanwhile, the four-way southern suburbs battle will come to a head in the coming weeks.
Wynberg won their first round fixtures against Bishops, Rondebosch and SACS, and may go on to maintain this perfect record in the second round.
The match against Rondebosch on 23 August (at Wynberg) could determine whether they complete a “double sweep” or not.
NOORDVAAL AND CENTRAL
Grey College lost to both Paarl heavyweights earlier this season, and should be desperate to prove a point when hosting Paul Roos.
The upcoming fixtures against Sedbergh from England and Grey High should provide them with an opportunity to build some momentum.
Affies will aim to finish their season on a high when they play Maritzburg College, Waterkloof and Pretoria Boys in the coming weeks.
Garsfontein currently lead the Noordvaal Cup log, and are well placed to push for a third-consecutive title.
That said, Waterkloof topped the log at this stage last year, only to be beaten by Garsies in the decider.
A strong Helpmekaar side may push the title favourites close at the back-end of the 2025 tournament.
The Noordvaal Cup final is scheduled for 30 August.
EASTERN CAPE AND KZN
Queen’s College have won 12 of their last 15 games, and have four fixtures remaining against Selborne, Graeme, Cambridge and Dale.
The latter derby will be staged at Queen’s on 23 August, and should be a special occasion.
In terms of the battle for Eastern Cape supremacy, the clash between Queen’s and Graeme in Makhanda on 9 August will be more significant, as Graeme have been one of the most consistent teams in the region.
Westville finished their season with a 13 from 13 record and the unofficial KwaZulu-Natal title this past June.
Other teams from the region will continue to feature in local derbies and inter-provincial clashes staged in the coming weeks.
DHS will travel to Jeppe on 26 July, while Northwood will host Glenwood.
DHS, who were the leading team in KZN last year, will be looking to finish their 2025 campaign on a successful note, when they face Northwood and KES in subsequent weeks.
