Schools Rankings - July 27
OPINION: As the 2025 schoolboy rugby season nears its climax, this past weekend delivered another thrilling round of matches across South Africa.
In George, the clash between Stellenberg and Outeniqua lived up to the hype. It was a tightly contested battle that could have gone either way.
However, Stellenberg may feel hard done by, as the game was stopped due to an injury with no additional time added. Stellies were deep in the red zone and pushing hard for a possible match-winning score. In the end, Outeniqua emerged victorious with a 14-8 win.
Meanwhile, the two Paarl powerhouses continued their dominance. Both Paarl Gimnasium and Paarl Boishaai secured convincing wins over Wynberg and SACS, respectively, reinforcing their positions as the undisputed number one and two-ranked teams in the country.
All eyes now turn to what is shaping up to be the most anticipated schoolboy rugby match in South African history – the iconic Paarl derby between the “Galpille” and the “Bloedworse”, taking place next Saturday, 2 August.
This massive encounter will not only be a battle for local bragging rights but also for the top spot in the national – and possibly global – schoolboy rugby rankings.
The derby is expected to attract a record-breaking crowd of between 28,000 and 35,000 spectators. Alumni from around the world are flying in for what promises to be an unforgettable day. The fact that both top teams hail from the same town adds even more weight to the occasion.
North of the Vaal River, Affies claimed a solid 45-28 victory over Maritzburg College, while Garsfontein made a statement with a commanding 68-17 win over the Wit Bulle, cementing their place in the top 7.
In Johannesburg, DHS proved their top-10 credentials with an impressive 24-10 away win against a strong Jeppe outfit.
This weekend was yet another shining example of the strength and depth of South African schoolboy rugby.
The future of SA rugby is in good hands, thanks to what is arguably the best schoolboy rugby development system in the world.
With such immense talent on display, no player must slip through the cracks – whether through missed contracts or overlooked bursary opportunities.
Every effort must be made to support and nurture these young stars.
Our next set of rankings will be released on Sunday, August 3.
As the legendary Oom Zanberg Jansen always said, “Nag, ou grote!”
Main photo credit: Hoërskool Outeniqua
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