Schools Top 20 - April 15
Nervously, four men sat down, after the gathering of lots of information to draw up the first Top 20 of 2014, the 16th year that we have done this.
We have no formula for doing it except the careful comparisons by four good men. It also happens that none of the schools of their origin feature in the Top 20. They are good men and honest.
Down below we have put the last Top 20 of 2013, which gives an idea of how the old order has changed.
That is an important facet of schooling – they are always in a state of flux, however traditional they may be.
It also means that the Top 20 will keep on changing till the last one in September.
And there will always be disagreement.
Change will start this coming weekend with the big Easter Festivals and is inevitable when schools, like Affies, play more matches.
Obviously, whatever system you use, no foolproof Top 20 is possible, not when people do not play the same opponents.
For that reason people should not get too worked up about this but should admire those who achieved much, for all of those on the Top 20 have top rugby teams.
Anyway, here goes.
1. Grey College of Bloemfontein
2. Garsfontein
3. Grey High of Port Elizabeth
4. Dr EG Jansen
5. Selborne College
6. Menlopark
7. Glenwood
8. Paarl Gim
9. Wynberg
10. Waterkloof
11. Tygerberg
12. Oakdale
13. HTS Middelburg
14. Paarl Boys' High
15. Monument
16. Dale
17. Nelspruit
18. Outeniqua
19. Kearsney
20. Louis Botha
At the moment there is pressure on these from Diamantveld, Jim Fouché, Maritzburg College, Sentraal of Bloemfontein and Transvalia.
Compare that with last year's final Top 20.
Top 20 – September 3, 2013
1. Paarl Gim
2. Outeniqua
3. Affies
4. Grey College of Bloemfontein
5. Dr EG Jansen
6. Paarl Boys' High
7. Nelspruit
8. Garsfontein
9. Waterkloof
10. Oakdale
11. Grey High of Port Elizabeth
12. HTS Middelburg
13. Monument
14. Kempton Park
15. Noord-Kaap
16. Queen's
17. Westville
18. St Andrew's College of Grahamstown
19. Marlow
20. Wynberg
