The Return of the @rugby365 schools rankings

BREAKING NEWS: We’re back! After six years away from the scene, we’ve taken up the challenge once again to compile the official Top 30 Schoolboy 1st XV Rankings – and what a ride it’s been!

The Top 20 teams were fairly easy to call, but once you get to teams ranked 20-40, things get wildly competitive. Some teams outside our Top 30 have even knocked off sides in the 20-30 bracket!

We’ve taken everything into account – team strength, head-to-head clashes, home-ground advantage, and much more – to bring you the most accurate list possible.

Right now, the top five teams are simply operating on another level. They can put 30-40 points past teams ranked 15-30 without breaking too much of a sweat!

Paarl Gimnasium laid down a serious marker, showing why they’re the undisputed No.1 with a dominant win over Grey College in Bloemfontein. Affies are also right up there, pulling off a massive draw against Gim and racking up strong wins over Noordheuwel and Garsfontein.

Meanwhile, Oakdale is back with a bang after a great victory, while Rondebosch, who started the season flying, are struggling to hold it together. Don’t sleep on the maroon machine from Paul Roos either – after a steady early season with a lot of injuries, they’re back in form and eyeing that No.1 spot hard.

Up north, Menlopark showed their muscle with a good win over Helpmekaar, and the Rhinos from Nelspruit are roaring back into contention after beating Welkom Gim, Maritzburg College, and Waterkloof.

Down in KZN, DHS proved once again they’re the kings of the coast with a thrilling win over Northwood.

Get ready – it’s going to be an epic few weeks of schoolboy rugby!

Our next ranking update drops on May 11.