Test match season 2026 gets underway

Test match season 2026 gets underway on 14 March 2026 with two huge games involving Powerhouse 5 schools Paarl Gim and Grey College against two of the 2026 seasons expected high flyers Stellenberg and Oakdale respectively.

Oakdale vs Grey College

Grey is the benchmark of South African schoolboy rugby. Since the Covid era they have lost only six matches, the best record in the country. That said, Oakdale’s post-Covid results against Grey have been nothing short of excellent.

The Bulle have yet to register a win, but they have drawn one match and their average losing margin across the other three games is just under 12 points. Two of those encounters were in Bloemfontein, where getting a result against Grey is notoriously difficult and getting whipped happens often.

This could well be Oakdale’s last opportunity for some time to secure a positive result against Grey. Even though they boast an outstanding side this season, they will still head into this home fixture as underdogs.

The Oakdale tight five are potent. This includes the giant 2.04m Diaan Augustyn, who weighs about 120kg. The J-Bus, Jacobus de Villiers, is the captain and star player. Grey will want to use their mobility to overcome the home team’s imposing pack. They have their own bulky player in the form of No 8 Niel du Randt, who tips the scales at 104kg. In midfield, strong centre O’Ryan Kleyn is expected to be a handful. Grey’s finisher at fullback Lamla Mgedezi has not played a match this season and his availability for this one is unclear.

Stellenberg vs Paarl Gimnasium

The March fixture between Stellenberg and Paarl Gimnasium has become a school rugby classic. In both 2022 and 2023, Stellenberg pushed Paarl Gim close, and with what many are calling a “dream team”, the Jade Brigade will back themselves to repeat those heroics in 2026.

Yet this is no ordinary Paarl Gim side. Nine experienced returnees — including the 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 12 and 15 — give the visitors what one of their supporters described as a “beautiful spine.” In a system that usually backs its Grade 12s, this depth and experience suggest Gim have assembled a particularly special group. Stellenberg’s two stars need no introduction – Juvan Burden (5) and Ethan van Biljon (10). They will be hoping for big shifts from tighthead Janu van Deventer and youngster Rocco Buchanan.

The Jades’ rugby facility may face a stern test due to the size of the expected crowd, in fact this match is so big they could have easily sold out at R100 per ticket. The Western Province Premier League, arguably the toughest schoolboy rugby local league in the world alongside Auckland’s A1 league, kicks off in style with this blockbuster clash. Expect intensity, skill, and another tight contest between two of the province’s premier sides.

TEAMS