| School Rugby fixtures & results – week ending 14 March 2026 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue.10Mar | BUL | Waterkloof | 40-09 | HTS Middelburg | PUM | NWU Skolesportreeks |
| Tue.10Mar | VAL | Transvalia | 27-26 | Oos-Moot | BUL | NWU Skolesportreeks |
| Tue.10Mar | VAL | EG Jansen | 24-20 | Kempton Park | VAL | NWU Skolesportreeks |
| Wed.11Mar | BUL | Eldoraigne | 06-55 | Menlopark | BUL | NWU Skolesportreeks |
| Thu.12Mar | LIO | St Benedict’s | 03-38 | Wynberg 2nd XV | WP | Wynberg Festival |
| Fri.13Mar | WP | Paul Roos | 24-07 | Drostdy | BOL | |
| Fri.13Mar | WP | Milnerton | 17-26 | SACS | WP | |
| Sat.14Mar | WP | Boland Landbou | 13-24 | Durbanville | WP | Oesfees |
| Sat.14Mar | WP | Bishops | 31-26 | Worcester Gim | BOL | Wynberg Festival |
| Sat.14Mar | WP | Wynberg | 24-03 | Strand | WP | Wynberg Festival |
| Sat.14Mar | LIO | St Benedict’s | 19-12 | Melkbosstrand | WP | Wynberg Festival |
| Sat.14Mar | WP | Stellenberg | 20-19 | Paarl Gim | WP | |
| Sat.14Mar | SWD | Oakdale | 07-38 | Grey College | FS | |
| Sat.14Mar | SWD | Outeniqua | 45-00 | Nico Malan | EP | |
| Sat.14Mar | WP | Strand | 24-31 | Bishops | WP | |
| Sat.14Mar | BOL | Swartland | 22-17 | Bellville | WP | |
| Sat.14Mar | BOL | Hermanus | 17-34 | Parel Vallei | WP | |
| Sat.14Mar | BOL | Hugenote | 44-24 | Punt | SWD | |
| Sat.14Mar | WP | Fish Hoek | 07-19 | DF Akademie | WP | |
| Sat.14Mar | KZN | Maritzburg Coll | 19-31 | Helpmekaar | LIO | |
| Sat.14Mar | KZN | Durban HS | 26-20 | Michaelhouse | KZN | |
| Sat.14Mar | KZN | Hilton | 39-35 | Westville | KZN | |
| Sat.14Mar | KZN | Northwood | 40-07 | Glenwood | KZN | |
| Sat.14Mar | KZN | St Charles | 19-60 | Kearsney | KZN | |
| Sat.14Mar | BOR | Dale | 15-03 | Hudson Park | BOR | Border School Day |
| Sat.14Mar | BOR | Selborne | 19-19 | Stirling | BOR | Border School Day |
| Sat.14Mar | BOR | Queen’s | 41-15 | Cambridge | BOR | Border School Day |
| Sat.14Mar | BOR | Port Rex | 10-05 | Ooskus Gim | BOR | Border School Day |
| Sat.14Mar | EP | Daniel Pienaar | 22-48 | Graeme | EP | |
| Sat.14Mar | EP | Graaff-Reinet VS | 32-19 | Muir | EP | |
| Sat.14Mar | EP | Marlow | 52-19 | Duineveld | GRQ | |
| Sat.14Mar | EP | Framesby | 24-17 | St Andrew’s | EP | |
| Sat.14Mar | EP | Otto du Plessis | 05-31 | Brandwag (EP) | EP | |
| Sat.14Mar | EP | Victoria Park | 00-55 | Kingswood | EP | |
| Sat.14Mar | GRF | Goudveld | 10-35 | Jim Fouche | FS | Wesgrow SSR |
| Sat.14Mar | GRF | Trio | 41-40 | Diamantveld | GRQ | Wesgrow SSR |
| Sat.14Mar | FS | Fichardtpark | 31-21 | Beth. Voortrekker | GRF | Wesgrow SSR |
| Sat.14Mar | GRF | Witteberg | 05-35 | Sentraal | FS | Wesgrow SSR |
| Sat.14Mar | FS | Landboudal | 28-17 | Kalahari (Kuruman) | GRQ | |
| Sat.14Mar | VAL | Hugenote (Springs) | 12-19 | Die Anker | VAL | NWU Prestige |
| Sat.14Mar | LEO | Wagpos | 10-43 | Zwartkop | BUL | NWU Prestige |
| Sat.14Mar | VAL | Heidelberg VS | 36-14 | Bergsig Ac | LEO | NWU Prestige |
| Sat.14Mar | VAL | Jeugland | 00-38 | Montana | BUL | NWU Prestige |
| Sat.14Mar | LEO | Potch Volkskool | 19-43 | Klerksdorp | LEO | NWU Prestige |
| Sat.14Mar | LEO | Wesvalia | 15-00 | Lichtenburg | LEO | NWU Prestige |
| Sat.14Mar | PUM | HTS Middelburg | 35-22 | Piet Retief | PUM | NWU Skolesportreeks |
| Sat.14Mar | BUL | Menlopark | 40-07 | Ben Vorster | LIM | NWU Skolesportreeks |
| Sat.14Mar | PUM | Middelburg | 21-17 | Transvalia | VAL | NWU Skolesportreeks |
| Sat.14Mar | PUM | Nelspruit | 20-16 | EG Jansen | VAL | NWU Skolesportreeks |
| Sat.14Mar | BUL | Waterkloof | 20-34 | Affies | BUL | |
| Sat.14Mar | BUL | Garsfontein | 26-29 | Jeppe | LIO | |
| Sat.14Mar | LIO | Monument | 87-22 | Welkom Gim | GRF | |
| Sat.14Mar | VAL | Kempton Park | 59-10 | Secunda | PUM | |
| Sat.14Mar | LIO | Noordheuwel | 34-24 | Rustenburg | LEO | |
| Sat.14Mar | LIO | St David’s | 12-20 | St Stithians | LIO | |
| Sat.14Mar | BUL | St Alban’s | 14-20 | St John’s | LIO | |
| Sat.14Mar | LIO | Parktown | 37-06 | Trinityhouse | LIO | |
@Kaya 85 (Comment #60)
No idea pal. I see they’ve wracked up 2 big wins already. Worcester and Nico Malan? It’s a tough 2nd fixture for KES. You would have to say Outeniqua go in as favourites, much like Rondebosch were at the KES Easter festival last year. We all know how that ended.
@brentsw3 (Comment #55)
Sounds like there’s the making of a good Reds team… Outeniqua look very impressive to date. Will your lads have had enough game time with just the St John’s opener?
@brentsw3 (Comment #50)
Lol…I’ve heard that same line from a few Reds friends.
Well done Durbies. Big win on the plaas!
Selborne and Stirling playing to a draw..Selborne not looking like anything will prosper this year however Stirling do have some big boys in that team…good result for Stirling…Selborne play Framesby at the GC festival…pressure is on early in the season
@brentsw3 (Comment #55)
I stand under correction, it’s Konke Ntsepe at prop, not Nonke and he didn’t play Grant Khomo. Neither did Mphande Mbatha (8). Naledi Phiri did, 4 lock…
Another player of interest is Sochi Ogidi, GR11, prop/loose forward. Quicker than most back line players…
@Roger (Comment #22)
The gift a highly attritional 2025 season gives 2026 is a clutch of players that earned caps. Should stand them in good stead. Dylan Budler, Siya Nkomo at prop, Josh Wilkinson and Luyanda on the wings, Taig David at 9, Sam Smith at 12, Barnard and Vruegdenburg at lock plus a smattering of loose forwards, all capped in 2025 and likely to feature heavily in 2026.
There also a number of really talented GR11s pushing for higher honours. Pierre Crofton at 9, Russel Mgiba at 11, ASA Mgwatyu at centre or fullback (this kids a weapon), Mphande Mbatha at 8, Diederick Kleyn at 7, Andries van Der Merwe at hooker. Nonke at prop. All represented at Grant Khomo last year and all more than capable of pushing for that much revered red jersey.
Talking of athletes the KES U19 4x100m relay team recently ran a 40.70s, not sure how many of the 4 sprinters, if any, play rugby too but hopefully all of them. Actually I know at least 1 of them is a hockey player. There’s also an U14 that ran a 10.9, hopefully he plays too…
@wanza_15 (Comment #24)
@Roger (Comment #22)
How’ve you been bud? Hope to find you well.
Gratz on yesterday’s results.
Jeppe is doing a lot of things right, their rugby program working hard to emulate the hockey, which has been a dominant force in Gauteng and national Hockey for longer than I care to remember.
11th April is less than a month away until the 1st leg of the local derby. Can’t wait. I feel you’ve got most of your bases covered, A sides, 2nds and 1sts. I reserve judgement until we see what KES do in their seasons opening fixture against St John’s, Saturday 21st…
Really tough game for St Andrews, Framesby were very physical. really unfortunate for St Andrews with 2 bad injuries in the first half, number 11 was knocked out cold and then the number 12 suffered a serious leg break.
@4×4 (Comment #48)
Agree 100%. Recently Affies hasn’t had an over dominate backline but this backline looks bad. Yes, it is the first game of the year but it doesn’t look promising. I think if Kloof actually played with their backline and didn’t kick every ball away it could’ve been a different game
Parktown beating Trinityhouse, one of the results not many will pay attention to. It was the reunion weekend and was great to see all the Old Boys out in full force. Obviously against weak opposition it is difficult to gauge the strength of a team but I was very impressed by the 1st XV. Lots of talent and looks like the coaches have been focusing on the basics, which is what wins matches. Excited for the rest of the season! Also, well done to Jeppe. Fantastic work being done by everyone involved at the school
@Roger (Comment #22)
Back pal! I think 2026 will be a season for self reflection, one where we temper expectations, sit back, relax and enjoy this tremendous gift that is schoolboy rugby.
What I will say, everything about Jeppe worries me in 2026…
@4×4 (Comment #48)
100%. Jou comment spot on!
@Mate (Comment #40)
After today Affies need to look at their backline if they want to be competative this year, I was not convinced today
Selborne limp to a 19-19 draw with Stirling. Looked like they only started training yesterday.
@Meesh N (Comment #44)
Yet PBHS beat Affies in 2019 during this “bad” period….
@Mate (Comment #40)
I’m not so sure about Affies at 2. Affies probably has their “worst” team (on paper) in the so-called 5 year cycle. Personally I will put Affies at 5 and even at 6. The top 5 are very difficult to call this early in the season but I would go, Gim, Grey, Boois, PRG
@Vleis (Comment #29)
I’m glad somebody has mentioned it, as great a leader & man (from personal experience) as Mr Reeler was, he was a staunch believer in holistic culture which more often than not meant no particular sphere of life got any direct look at. Our “soutie sports” continued doing well at the time purely due to the intake of boys that came in but rugby took a massive knock & was often seen as more of an afterthought by him & other leading members of staff at the time. Emphasising giving our all, camaraderie & an overall means of occasion rather than an emphasis on us doing well, though not entirely wrong, it inevitably was the cause for the downward spiral. I vividly remember our old boys fuming over this at the time. Credit should go to Mr Chris Oldnall for the work he’s done in this regard & more since becoming Director of Sports.
@Tang @Vleis I was u14A in 2016 & had to spend many Saturdays running up & down with water bottles & giving pats on the backs of my matrics, many of whom I’m now mates with. The two games they won that year, the first being a 6-3 win over Westville on a wet, muddy Saturday (the game went through a 30+ minute lightning delay & the Boys High faithful insisted we wait & play, you can only imagine why lol) & the 2nd being a close win against St Stithians on an extremely warm day in the last game of the 2nd term, both came on Brooks.
A very tough year to say the least!
@wanza_15 (Comment #9)
Yikes…Jeppe winning two of the games v Affies, Paarl BH and Grey would be something … even one of those would be something special. Btw Diamantveld look powerful this year too.
@Tang (Comment #11)
I think you’re right. Some “surprises” coming up in ’26.
Rest of Top 10
Garsies
Oakdale
Outeniqua
Jeppe
Helpmekaar
My early prediction for Top 5 this year
1). Boishaai
2). Affies
3). Grey
4). Paarl Gim
5). Paarl Roos
Let’s see how close I’d be by middle August
@PietPompies (Comment #35)
The Garsies full back tomorrow has the potential to become a game changer. He is big, strong and fast with a very good rugby brain.
@Vleis (Comment #29)
Your second observation is also spot on. If you rank PBHS teams in terms of win %, the period between 2015 and 2024 was exceptionally poor. Two factors hit PBHS simultaneously. One was the head change and the second was the unwillingness to accept how professional school boy rugby was becoming. Appointing a Director of Rugby in those years was fruitless. The Director had no power to create structures and recruit players as many other schools were doing.
@Vleis (Comment #29)
You are 100% correct. PBHS won two games in 2016. They beat Saint Stithians and Westville. The Westville fixture is one of the most memorable school boy rugby fixtures I have ever watched. PBHS won 6-3 in a wet, interrupted game. PBHS played with pure passion to secure the win.
My biggest concern for Garsies this early in the season is how the off the field changes will affect performance on the field. Dupie, Bantjes and Retief moving on has taken a big bite out of the leadership team. And we’ve seen how a professional rugby team like the Bulls have struggled to adapt to leadership changes. Hopefully the boys are just there to play ruggas, because they certainly have quality players. Only time will tell!
@wanza_15 (Comment #14)
Jeppe by 11? Confident call!! Especially without seeing the opposition team. Guess there is nothing wrong with confidence in your team. But I’ve seen the Garsies team – Jeppe must be a very good team!
@wanza_15 (Comment #33)
Yes, that 2012 side had Jenkins (one cap Bok), Nonkontwane (Cheetahs), Erasmus (French pro league) and I think that Kumbirai (Stormers) was in gr11. Those four players weighed between 102 and 130kg, so were big buggers! St Alban’s often had quite a few talented players but never seemed to put it together consistently as a team – probably due to lack of depth, but possibly also as the Gauteng “Saint” schools don’t take rugby as seriously as KES, Jeppe, etc.
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My son went on to Varsity Cup and then a bit of pro rugby, but recently quit due to concussions, injuries, etc.
@Vleis (Comment #32)
Interesting.
Yes that 2012 story is part of the syllabus at Jeppe. Eeeeeeeverybody spoke about it, as I arrived in 2013 as a grade 8
I’m aware we lost to St Albans in 2012 too. Though I didn’t know it was a solid St Albans outfit as you describe! What came of your son?
@wanza_15 (Comment #31)
To put it in perspective, my son’s second ever (proper) rugby match in his life was against KES u14A in 2012. His team (St Alban’s) lost narrowly, so being new to high school rugby, I had high hopes that St Alban’s 1st team would also give KES a good run for their money later in the day – esp. as three or four St Alban’s players became pro rugby players thereafter (incl. a future Bok), but they got hammered by 60 to 10!
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A few months later, St Alban’s 1st team beat Jeppe…so when Jeppe played KES thereafter, I expected a HUGE hiding for Jeppe…but there are no remarks columns in the record books!
@Vleis (Comment #28)
100%. I heard Marx speak about it as a guest in the build up to the 2018 game I think it was. Basically saying it was a tough ask for them given the circumstances. They had come from SA Schools or Lions (trials?) it must have been, hosted in Kempton Park at the Barnard Stadium (still functional, hosts some Currie Cup Premier Division games). The last thing they wanted to hear is they now need to find it somewhere in themselves to pull KES out of a hole against what must be a Jeppe that is possessed by something.
@Roger (Comment #26)
August 8th 2015, my goodness Roger you have reminded me of day I needed no reminiding of, that Reds team of Marussi, Mkhize, Django Monokali, and that diminutive little centre that year that had a blinder of a game, caused perhaps one of the worst days of my life😭 You couldn’t convince me at the time that anything could get worse. There is a video my mom still has to date of me “throwing my toys out the pram” let’s put it, when I got home that day.
The school newspaper that was run by the Pen & Page club that came out every Monday afternoon touted it “Horror in Houghton”. It was really the end of the world. Our 2015 team were good (not great) but ABSOLUTELY expected to beat KES that year.
We were missing Dayimani and Simelane to SA Schools, and then Greene was injured, but really there was concern whatsoever, no sombre or negative feelings, the result was never in doubt according to us. I would say that it was this day I had my christening to what KES is and can do to you if you write them off. I guess the events of 2012 balances out what happened in 2015, KES probably don’t lose if Marx and the boys started and were 100% invested in beating Jeppe. Similarly, Dayimani and crew probably don’t lose in 2015 if they were present and invested.
@Tang (Comment #23)
In the 2016 season, PBHS won 2 out of 16, so 12.5%, but I get your point.
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I hate to cast aspersions**, but PBHS’s downward spiral coincided with their headmaster at the time and Bishops’ current downward spiral coincides with the same chap as their headmaster. One must never confuse correlation with causation, but the stats are pretty stark…and the buck must always stop at the top!
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** especially as I’m told that he is a good chap
@Roger (Comment #26)
Both of those games have an asterisk* next to the result, in my mind anyway, although the record books don’t lie.
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* In 2012, KES were missing a bunch of their best players (including Marx, Smith, Brink, etc) as they’d been on provincial duty. Some joined the game after half time, but it was too late.
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* In 2015, Jeppe were missing a bunch of their best players (including Simelane, Green, Dayimani, etc) as they’d been on provincial duty.
@Grizzly (Comment #13)
14 van die Bere in saterdag se 23 tal het verlede jaar al vir die Eerstes gespeel. Gaan lekker wees.
@wanza_15 (Comment #24)
absolutely correct – the 2012 team were also expected to be generational with all those players back from a very successful 2011 season (lost only one game) including Malcolm Marx and they got turned over by Jeppe on your home patch – I think it was the first time any of those players had lost to a Jeppe team in their schools careers. Was it 2015 where Jeppe had an exceptional team (including Dayimani and Simelane) and lost 24-0 to a very average KES team at KES?
@theblackandwhite (Comment #21)
I noticed we dropped the one game vs Pretoria as well, I can’t give you a reason – I really dont know why. I don’t think it’s anything deep though.. We are going to be at their 125 fest after all, and they seem to have lined our games vs Michealhouse and then Colleg up before they play the main game on both days, which is a nice gesture I think.
@Roger (Comment #22)
You’re spot on. I believe something similar for you in 2011 and then 2012.
Look, a huge part of this is my bias towards Jeppe🤣 I want every reason to believe we will be indestructible and unfortunately for me, I probably will eat humble pie.
Brent does tend to know, hopefully he shows himself soon
@Meesh N (Comment #20)
If you look at the worst performing Boys High Teams by year, five of the top 10 worst are from 2014 to 2024. 2016 had a win% of 7.1% winning one of 14 games. 2024, 2014, 2015 and 2018 had win percentages ranging between 25% and 33.3%. In that same time period the historical win rate against Jeppe dropped from 59% to 10%! It’s a clear illustration of how slowly Boys High responded to the change in rugby philosophy from traditional rivals.
Where’s Brent or KesOldBoy? For us old boys far away, can you fella’s give us an overview of the 2026 Red’s team and prospects? I’ve seen the fixture list on Facebook but precious little else – except for the fact that the Headmaster will be winging it to Aus this year for a few Old Boy functions and some fund raising!! I see the Jeppe crowd are in full cry already, but I caution you fellas, KES were expected to have a generational team in 2024 – they were phenomenal throughout the age groups, were a young team in 2023, played really well and had so many players back, including Moyo and Mnebelele – and dare I say – underachieved – the weight of expectation heh!
@wanza_15 (Comment #14)
I think that Garsfontein fixture is very important for us, in that other than Affies, Garsfontein are the only consistent top 10 school that will give us a full fixture. It not only allows the 1st XV to see where they are, but also allows the junior age groups to experience what it is like to play top 10 schools. As for it being the first game of the season, I don’t think that it is Jeppe choosing for it to be the first game – if I had to hazard a guess I suspect that for Garsies it probably started as a decent pre-season game, they were probably surprised at how competitive the 1st XV is then decided to give us an annual fixture. Either way, just like with Affies I don’t think that we have ever beaten Garsies. This year may our best chance, but a lot of things will have to go right for us.
The Jeppe fixture list is a juicy one, it is very ambitious – and I agree with some of the guys on here, I think that a 50% win rate will be a good return this year. We do have a lot of last years Grade 11 boys back this year, but it feels that every school this year has a lot of kids returning. It feels that this years matric group could be a very strong group across the board.
I am a bit disappointed that we have dropped the return fixture with Boys High, have you got any inside information on that Wanza? Those junior teams at Boys High were very strong last year, I suspect they could become the team to beat again in the Noordvaal English Schools circuit very soon and so its weird that we have now replaced that fixture with St Davids (no disrespect to St Davids obviously).
@Tang (Comment #11)
Tang to be fair 2016 wasn’t a straightforward selection either, literally our worst side ever. lovely blokes though!
@Vleis (Comment #18)
No clue. Djou will know but won’t discuss on this platform. Surely there’s more to it than just moved for better opportunity. Otherwise we would have heard from Dup himself stating why he left.
@Grizzly (Comment #17)
I’m still scratching my head re why Duppie left? Do you have any clues as to why that happened?
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An even bigger headscratcher is the departure of Dale Jackson to St John’s.
@wanza_15 (Comment #14)😂Yes I hear you. It started off more as a practice match for both teams. Now developed into a full proper match day. Playing field is level for both teams ito early days. I don’t have any info regarding Garsfontein strength this season. It will be interesting to see where they stand with all that’s happened end of last year. The biggest one ofcourse the departure of Duppie. I know they had a few good gr11 players last season.If they still there and playing on Saturday I don’t know.Seeing the strength of Jeppe you predicting we’ll have a better understanding afther the match for both teams.
@Tang (Comment #15)
All good. Hope PBHS have a great season. Things moving north over there so I’ll be watching.
@Grizzly (Comment #12)
@Grizzly, my apologies. No disrespect intended. 100% agree with you – don’t under estimate Garsies. I was simply pointing out that Jeppe have two very intense blocks in during the season. I should have pointed out they start with a fierce challenge on Saturday in Pretoria.
@Grizzly (Comment #13)
I can smell your sarcasm lol!
Look, I really really really really hate the positioning of this game on the calendar from a Jeppe perspective, and I think these things (when you play certain games) matter more than we speak about. I can’t understand the thinking apart from the fact that they feel like it has no bearing on the rest of the season; which is a flawed perspective – it absolutely does! And I don’t want to entertain anything else. That said, I am led to believe they know exactly what they are doing, so I will fall on my sword. I trust that front row, we will need them to stand up physically, they were all there last year, got marauded to death by Garsfontein on nearly every scrum, they know exactly what is coming. Lots of water has passed under the bridge for them since that opener last year, they are not babies, they must answer the call! Jeppe by 11!
@wanza_15 (Comment #10)
Like Tang no mention of your coming game against Garsfontein. If you lining up HJS, Affies and Grey I would recon Garsfontein is in for a big hiding this Saturday. If ever there was a dream team this must be it. 9 CW players! Hope the Bere keep the score respectable this weekend. You have me very nervous so early in the season.
@Tang (Comment #8)
No mention of Garsfontein who’s currently ranked 7.
@wanza_15 (Comment #9)
@Wanza It’s too hard to make a proper prediction about Boys High in 2026. Some very solid starters returning and some excellent u16’s coming trough. Having said that, I think a 50% plus season for PBHS would be a good achievement. I heard they played a trial match against Hans Moore on Saturday and I think they play another trial/ warm up fixture against Northcliff this weekend. PBHS should have a solid front row, two good sized locks and mobile, competitive back three. Amongst the backs, the 9/10 combination is returning and should be vastly better this year. The back three will be good – hoping for a big step up from the 15. In terms of the transfer from Stellenberg, his parents moved to Pretoria. I think he is a flyhalf but is still u16. I think it’s the first time since 2012, 2013 that selections for the Candies are not straight forward. If the returning players step up and the u16’s coming through are competitive, this Candies team could surprise a few top teams.
@Vleis (Comment #7)
50% would be a huge disappointment, it suggests we aren’t winning any of those “big” games. Our fixture list was almost identical last year and they achieved a 52% win ratio. With the amount of stayers, they must must must improve!
@Tang (Comment #6)
Tang, long time no see!
To be very honest with you, since I started following all this stuff in 2012, I can’t remember a Jeppe side having this many provincial prospects for the coming year maybe since the Class of 2018 led by the late great Muzi Manyike. If I think of our strong years, in 2018 we had 10 across CW and AW, in 2016 we had 6, and this was too the figure give or take for 2023 and 2024. This year, assuming the Craven Week boys stay Craven Week boys, and the Academy Week boys do nothing special and just stay Academy Week boys (though some should graduate in to the CW side), and the Welpies boys at least graduate in to the Academy Week side, we have 9 boys representing Lions at U18 level, this is also making a bold assumption that none of the U16s coming in make any of the teams. So, again, on paper, this team should be one of the all timers. The thing I’d say they have over the 2018 class in my opinion is that unlike 2017 (that also featured a lot of the 2018 guys), which perhaps was our worst year results-wise ever and a “losing”, “void of confidence” 1st XV, 2025 was a pretty solid year that this 2026 bunch all played a HUGE part in; narrowly losing to Affies, doubling KES, and a solid Boys High, and just a lot of experience under the belt against several top 12-ish schools.
Given how the game ended last year, and the fact that we are still in search of our first win against them at 1st XV level, the guys surely must have their sights set on the Affies fixture, Jeppe need to beat Affies. If this bunch can do that, it’d be special. Paarl Boys at Noord Suid would be a big win too if they can pull it off, and then of course Grey at Wildeklawer. If they can negotiate a win in Kimberley against a support-backed Grey, goodness that’d really throw a spanner in the works.. We must not negate the derby however, never never never! Before they do anything they must make sure they have KES in check, I would love to see us put them to them to the sword, a baptism of fire, akin to what they did to us in 2009 when we were really down though I don’t think Jeppe-KES will see a score like that again, at least for the forseeable future.
Double KES again, and then win 2 of Boishaai/Affies/Grey, oh, my heart will pump rainbows.
I’ve said a lot, would love to hear how the preparations are at Boys High as well, that Queenton Mncube has a SA shout this year I’ve read. I also read somewhere that there was a rugby related transfer from Stellenberg to PBHS, a scrumhalf I believe? 125 festivities seem to be going well, I will be at the 125 fest, I can’t wait. I know we can’t cry over spilt milk but booooy if this 125 could have been next year, or 2027 from a Boys High perspective.
Jeppe’s schedule now looks far more aggressive than it was pre-2014.
They are clearly positioning themselves among the national elite fixture lists (Affies, Paarl Boys, Grey College, Boland Landbou, Maritzburg College).
They have two very tough blocks. The first block between 27 March and 27 April is brutal: Paarl Boys High, Diamantveld, Maritzburg College, Michaelhouse, KES, Westville, Boland Landbou and Grey College. The second block between 9 May and 1 August is easier but still tough: Affies, Monument, Northwood, St Johns, PBHS, DHS, KES. I agree if Jeppe have a 50% + season, they will be doing exceptionally well.
@Tang (Comment #6)
@wanza_15 (Comment #2)
I’ve just looked at Jeppe’s schedule for this season and it looks extremely tough. It sounds like Jeppe has a strong team (on paper so far) but I reckon that a 50% win percentage would be an excellent achievement given that more than half of their fixtures are against teams hoping to be in the Top10 this year.
PBHS
Wishing Jeppe all the best for the season ahead. It will be interesting to see how the team develops and performs across the big fixtures this year.
Out of curiosity, what would you consider a successful season for Jeppe this year? Is it about win percentage, beating particular rivals, a top-10 national ranking, or simply seeing the team grow and play good rugby? And realistically, where do you think this year’s side sits compared to some of the stronger Jeppe teams of the past decade?
Always good to hear the expectations from someone close to the school.
Good luck to the boys for the season ahead.
@Palma (Comment #4)
Thanks Parma
Border schools fixtures for the big 3:
Selborne vs Stirling
Queens vs Port Rex
Dale vs Hudson
@wanza_15 (Comment #2)
Always nice to see a good Jeppe side, will keep an eye on them. If I remember correctly, GF will also have a number of returning u17s from last year. So looking forward to what should be a great 1st game for both camps. All the best..
Interesting match ups in KZN nice and early, an early indication maybe of who’ll set the pace?
Tough trip to Pretoria for us, last year we lost our star prop in this fixture back home at Jeppe. For me, a game that asks this much physically shouldn’t happen this early. On paper however, our 1st XV and that front row should really be up for it and we should be PRETTY good this year; 4 x u17 Welpies, 3 x u17 AW and the 2 x u17 CW players all return this year as matrics – I have really high hopes (and expectations) for them particularly when I look at the Lions landscape in 2026.
A sneaky good game not listed here is Paul Roos against Drostdy on Friday. Drostdy pushed Oakdale hard over the weekend (going down 5-0 in a 40min game), so they have a decent team this year. Plus they’ve had the benefit of a competitive runout which PRG hasn’t had.