Date confirmed for biggest ever SA schoolboy rugby First XV clash
The Cape rugby powerhouses have enjoyed stellar seasons to date and it's nearly impossible to separate them in terms of No 1 and 2 in the land.
However, all will be decided – barring a draw – on Saturday, 2 August.
Paarl Gimnasium will host the fixture giving them – on paper at least – an advantage.
It promises to be the biggest schoolboy match in living memory – if not ever.
Any attempt at ranking South Africa's First XV rugby schools is guaranteed to upset as many readers as it will please.
The simple fact of the matter is that there is NO possible way of accurately determining a definitive list.
Many lists are to be found floating around the internet – none of which are in fact 'official'.
While it's true that thanks to an increase in the number of schoolboy rugby festivals around the country more schools are playing schools they previously wouldn't have faced, no school plays every other school both home and away during the season.
Hence, every list should be taken with a pinch of salt and is subjective at best.
Having said that, with the second term now finished and with provinces preparing for the upcoming U18 Craven Week, here is the unofficial 'official' First XV Top 20 rankings list.
NOTE: This year's U18 Craven Week will take place from 7 to 12 July at Middelburg Hoërskool in Mpumalanga. Ranking School Province 1 Paarl Gimnasium * Western Cape 2 Paarl Boys' High * Western Cape 3 Grey College Free State 4 Affies Gauteng 5 Paul Roos Western Cape 6 Oakdale Western Cape 7 Garsfontein Gauteng 8 Westville KwaZulu-Natal 9 DHS KwaZulu-Natal 10 Wynberg Western Cape 11 Rondebosch Western Cape 12 Helpmekaar Gauteng 13 Northwood KwaZulu-Natal 14 Noordheuwel Gauteng 15 Outeniqua Western Cape 16 Hilton College KwaZulu-Natal 17 Grey High School Eastern Cape 18 Jeppe Gauteng 19 Stellenberg Western Cape 20 KES Gauteng
*It's a pointless exercise debating whether Paarl Gimnasium should be No 1 or whether in fact Paarl Boys' High boast a stronger case for top spot.
Both sides have had stellar first-halves to the season, they haven't played the same opponents, and, most crucial of all, they haven't faced one another.
Yet.
And that's official …
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
30 minutes ago
- The South African
How to watch Paarl Gimnasium vs Paarl Boys' High
The two standout rugby schools in South Africa in 2025 - Paarl Gimnasium and Paarl Boys' High - will clash on Saturday. Image: Premier Interschools Home » How to watch Paarl Gimnasium vs Paarl Boys' High The two standout rugby schools in South Africa in 2025 - Paarl Gimnasium and Paarl Boys' High - will clash on Saturday. Image: Premier Interschools The Springboks won't be in action for another couple of weeks, but if anyone needs any reminding of how much talent and passion run through all levels of the game, they would do well to observe how Paarl will become the centre of attention for the iconic Paarl Gimnasium vs Paarl Boys' High schoolboy derby on Saturday. This remains a major attraction on the rugby calendar every year, and kick off has been confirmed for 16:00. For those who can't be there in person, the match will be screened live on SuperSport channel 216. This year's match will be played in front of a packed stadium, with about 20,000 fans expected, and Paarl Gimnasium director of rugby Pieter Rossouw has likened preparations for Saturday's interschools clash against Paarl Boys' to that of a World Cup. 'For many of the boys, this is the biggest game of their rugby career. It's something they've been dreaming about for a long time,' Rossouw said at a pre-match press conference. 'I think you can compare it to the journey of a World Cup tournament, where guys prepare for four years to play in that final. Similarly, boys come into school in Grade 8 and dream of playing for the 1st XV in that particular [interschools] game.' Meanwhile, Paarl Boys' coach Sean Erasmus believes Saturday's showdown will shine a light on the incredible pool of talent at schoolboy level. 'Among the 30 boys who will play, I believe there could very well be three or four future Springboks,' he said. Erasmus added that Boishaai had learned from last year's disappointing 30-8 defeat to Gimmies. 'We conceded 30 points in the interschools last year and afterwards we talked to each other about how it was an important lesson and what we could take from it. 'It's nice to see how the boys who are now in matric have grown as people.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
12 hours ago
- IOL News
After last season's MTN8 final heartbreak, Stellenbosch set out with hope against AmaZulu
Steve Barker After a heart-wrenching near miss in last season's MTN8 final, Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker will hope his team will go one better this time. Photo: BackpagePix Stellenbosch FC came painfully close to claiming their maiden MTN8 title last season, only to fall 3-1 to Orlando Pirates in what many deemed a controversial final. With the score level at 1-1, the turning point arrived with a late free-kick that Pirates executed from a disputed position, a decision that went unchallenged due to the absence of VAR. Stellenbosch have finished as quarterfinalists, semifinalists, and runners-up in the last three competitions, and now stand poised to take the next step towards championship glory. On Sunday, Stellenbosch take on AmaZulu in an MTN8 quarter-final (starting 15h00). Both teams, having experienced heartache in previous seasons, are desperate to secure their first title in this competition, making for an exciting matchup between two hungry squads. Coach Steve Barker's Stellenbosch squad faces a challenging rebuild this season after losing key players in the transfer window. The departure of captain and left-back Fawaaz Basadien to Mamelodi Sundowns will be particularly keenly felt, as his creative influence was pivotal. Midfielder Sihle Nduli's move to the Pirates adds to Barker's rebuilding woes as he navigates a new chapter for the club. AmaZulu also enters this quarter-final with a palpable craving for success, making their longing for an MTN8 title even more surprising. Historically, AmaZulu has never managed to lift this trophy despite being a mainstay in South African football. Their near miss in 2022, when they lost 1-0 to Pirates, echoes the disappointment of previous finals, including their 1976 setback against Kaizer Chiefs. With only one knockout trophy, now the Carling Knockout secured back in 1992, other honours have eluded this storied club. Barker urged his side to go all the way this time around. 'Last season we got to the final and unfortunately we didn't go all the way and win it,' Barker said. 'We have a big desire to go one step closer, but we have to get past a difficult opponent. Everybody's ambition is to win the MTN8. 'Preparation has gone well, we worked hard during pre-season and I look forward to the game.' AmaZulu coach Arthur Zwane, the Kaizer Chiefs legend, believes that Stellenbosch will present a unique list of challenges. 'Difficult one, Stellenbosch are not an easy team to play against. We are playing in Cape Town. They know the conditions where they are based,' Zwane said. 'So, for us, it will be the case of adapting there and dealing with everything that comes our way. Mentally and physically, the guys are ready, and they know the importance of us going into the next round.' Stellenbosch are likely to adopt an aggressive playing style that puts them on the front foot, with Ashley Cupido leading the charge. His dynamic attacking skills have made waves during the team's pre-season preparations. The versatile forward will be a critical asset as Stellenbosch gears up to showcase their prowess on the pitch. AmaZulu will be keen to thwart Cupido's ambitions with their captain, Riaan Hanamub, spearheading its tightly-knit defence. A player with extensive experience, Hanamub will have the task of not only commanding his backline but also keeping Cupido at bay. The challenge posed by Stellenbosch will require Hanamub's know-how, as he prepares to lead his team against what is expected to be a formidable attacking onslaught.
The South African
14 hours ago
- The South African
South African flag raised TWICE at World Aquatics Championships
The South African flag was raised twice more at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore on Friday as Pieter Coetzé claimed silver in the 200m backstroke and Kaylene Corbett a bronze in the 200m breaststroke. After his victory in the 100m backstroke on Tuesday, Coetzé lined up among the favourites, having qualified fastest for the final of the 200m event with a new African record in the semi-finals. The Pretoria swimmer went out hard in the final, turning first at both the 50m and 100m marks under world record pace, but was hunted down in the second half of the race by Olympic champion Hubert Kόs. While Coetzé closed in on the Hungarian in the final metres of the race, he just couldn't out-touch him, finishing second in 1:53.36 seconds, just 0.17 of a second off the gold. That took almost a second off the African record he set in the semi-finals and is the seventh fastest time in history. Both Kόs and Coetzé's times beat Kόs's gold medal-winning time from last year's Olympic Games in Paris. 'Coming into this, I didn't really expect to go that fast. This has exceeded all my expectations and it's just a big honour to be in a race like that,' said an elated Coetzé afterwards. 'I kind of expected to be out very fast. I could feel that I was moving at a high pace, and I knew that I would feel it in the end, and I did. 'But it's a big PB for me so I'm super-happy with the time.' Just one race later, Corbett dived in for the final of the 200m breaststroke. The 26-year-old reached the first turn in fifth place and steadily worked her way up to fourth by the second and third. A final push saw her surging into medal contention, claiming a joint bronze medal with Russian Alina Zmushka in a time of 2:23.52. Olympic champion Kate Douglass of the USA took the gold in a championship record time of 2:18.50, the second fastest time in history, with world record-holder Evgeniia Chikunova second in 2:19.96. 'It's been a really hectic year, and it just feels like it really came together when it should, so I'm just really, really stoked about it. I'm very, very happy,' said an emotional Corbett after claiming her first world championship medal. 'I just think that I gave everything I had, and I'm just really proud of myself with that performance.' The Pretoria swimmer has reached all her previous major finals alongside South Africa's four-time Olympic medallist and former world-record holder Tatjana Smith and added: 'Even though the world record-holder was there [tonight], even though the Olympic champion was there, I've been fortunate enough to swim next to Tatjana, so I know that those titles don't always mean everything all the time. 'I've been fortunate enough to swim under pressure next to her my whole career basically so it's really special to be able to win this medal. I just wish she was on the podium with me.' Kaylene Corbett wins a share of the bronze medal. Image: Wade Brennan Meanwhile, Erin Gallagher added more joy for the South Africans, finishing second in her 50m butterfly semi-final to book a spot in Saturday's final. The 26-year-old powered to a time of 23.39 seconds, bettering her own national record and finishing just one hundredth of a second off Egyptian Farida Osman's continental mark. That sees Gallagher through to the final as the third fastest qualifier. 'I'm so happy with that swim. I honestly think I owe it to Pieter and Kaylene, my team-mates, for winning medals tonight,' said Gallagher afterwards. 'I was in the call-room screaming, and they just got me excited for my race and I thought I can't drop the ball – my team-mates have done so incredibly well, I need to get into that final tonight and I think that spurred me on in the race.' Earlier in the day, Catherine van Rensburg finished 25th overall in the 800m freestyle in a time of 8 minutes 50.60 seconds. It'll be a busy day for the South African team in Singapore on Saturday with Coetzé returning to the pool for the 50m backstroke and Corbett for the 50m breaststroke, while Caitlin de Lange will be taking on the 50m freestyle. The mixed 4x100m freestyle relay team will also be in action before Gallagher's 50m butterfly final in the evening session. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
