Schools Rankings – May 10

OPINION: Schoolboy rugby has always held a special place in South African sport, but over the past four years, it has evolved into a powerful brand unlike anything else when it comes to attracting sponsorship and commercial interest.

King Price has recognised this opportunity and has maximised its impact as title sponsor of many of the country’s biggest schoolboy derbies.

Credit must go to their marketing team for understanding the value and passion that schoolboy rugby brings to communities across the nation.

While every school sport deserves recognition, the reality remains that schools which do not prioritise rugby may find it increasingly difficult to attract aspiring Grade eight learners eager to be part of a strong sporting culture. School governing bodies should take note.

On Saturday, the town of Middelburg came to a standstill as more than 11,000 spectators turned out for the 91st derby between two of Mpumalanga’s rugby giants.

Their first encounter dates back to 1935, when Hoërskool Middelburg claimed victory in the inaugural fixture.

Over the decades, the rivalry has remained fiercely contested. HTS Middelburg dominated much of the 1990s and early 2000s, but Hoërskool Middelburg has since fought its way back, restoring this derby to one of the province’s premier rugby spectacles.

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Saturday was no different. It was a magnificent occasion—an event that stood proudly alongside the great inter-school clashes such as Paarl Gymnasium v Paarl Boys’ High.

The rugby itself was played at a high standard. Although both teams initially struggled to establish rhythm, the match eventually opened up, producing moments of genuine quality.

Middelburg’s dominance was built on a formidable tighthead scrum, which laid the foundation for much of their success.

The strong wind made fluent backline play difficult, but Middelburg’s back three looked threatening whenever they touched the ball.

In the end, the Rooi Bulle fought bravely, but ill-discipline proved costly. The Green Machine were deserved winners, controlling approximately 60 percent of possession and territory and outscoring HTS by three tries to one.

One thing is certain: every town and every province should have a derby capable of bringing an entire community together, painting streets and stadiums in the colours of school pride.

Few events unite communities like schoolboy rugby. Every school should experience the privilege of being part of such a tradition.

In Bloemfontein, the highly anticipated King Price Derby between Grey College and Paarl Boys’ High also lived up to expectations.

Grey claimed sweet revenge with a commanding 31–21 victory on a wet and muddy surface—conditions many thought would favour the boys from Paarl.

Grey College appears to be back at its formidable best, winning all of the A-team fixtures convincingly.

North of the Vaal, in the Virsekerbeker, Menlopark caused an upset by edging out Helpmekaar 38–31.

Meanwhile, the Wit Bulle reasserted themselves as the kings of Krugersdorp, securing an impressive 41–15 victory over Noordheuwel.

There is not much movement in this week’s rankings, but we warmly welcome Hoërskool Kempton Park into the honourable mentions. Their recent performances have certainly caught our attention, and if the Kempies continue this impressive run, a place in the top 30 may soon follow.

As always, these rankings remain, by nature, an informed opinion—what many would call a “thumb suck”—but they are grounded in careful analysis, taking into account strength of opposition, consistency, and head-to-head results.

At the summit of the rankings, the “Jade Brigade” from the Northern Suburbs continue to justify their number one status after a hard-fought 15–13 victory at Die Plaas against Oakdale.

Rumour has it that it takes a very special side to leave Die Plaas victorious.

As always, we welcome debate and discussion, so feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.

Best of luck for the week ahead—stay fit, recover well, and we look forward to another thrilling round of schoolboy rugby.

As the late Oom Zanberg Jansen so famously said:

“Nag, ou Grote.”

— In memory of Oom Paul Dobson —

Picture credit: Stellenberg