| School Rugby fixtures & results – week ending 21 March 2026 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue.17Mar | WP | Scottsville | <05>-<35> | HTS Bellville | WP | WP Schools Day |
| Tue.17Mar | WP | Stellenberg | <40>-<00> | Bellville | WP | WP Schools Day |
| Tue.17Mar | WP | Boland Landbou | <20>-<25> | Bishops | WP | WP Schools Day |
| Tue.17Mar | WP | Milnerton | <05>-<30> | Durbanville | WP | WP Schools Day |
| Tue.17Mar | WP | Paarl Gim | <30>-<05> | SACS | WP | WP Schools Day |
| Tue.17Mar | WP | Rondebosch | <05>-<20> | Paarl BH | WP | WP Schools Day |
| Tue.17Mar | WP | Paul Roos | <15>-<05> | Wynberg | WP | WP Schools Day |
| Wed.18Mar | WP | Hottentots Holland | 41-19 | Somerset College | WP | Strand Night Series |
| Wed.18Mar | WP | Parel Vallei | 19-07 | Swartland | BOL | Strand Night Series |
| Wed.18Mar | WP | Strand | 39-17 | Bredasdorp | BOL | Strand Night Series |
| Fri.20Mar | EP | Mzanzi Ac | 22-05 | PJ Olivier | EP | Graeme Rugby Festival |
| Fri.20Mar | EP | Woodridge | 15-14 | Mary Waters | EP | Graeme Rugby Festival |
| Fri.20Mar | BOR | Port Rex | 11-39 | Union | EP | Graeme Rugby Festival |
| Fri.20Mar | BOR | Dale | 27-24 | Brandwag (EP) | EP | Graeme Rugby Festival |
| Fri.20Mar | EP | Grey HS | 33-12 | Hudson Park | BOR | Graeme Rugby Festival |
| Fri.20Mar | BOR | Queen’s | 19-24 | Nico Malan | EP | Graeme Rugby Festival |
| Fri.20Mar | LIO | St Benedict’s | 06-13 | Parktown | LIO | |
| WESTERN CAPE | ||||||
| Sat.21Mar | WP | Paul Roos | 45-28 | Affies | BUL | |
| Sat.21Mar | WP | Stellenberg | 78-00 | Worcester Gim | BOL | |
| Sat.21Mar | WP | Paarl BH | 26-22 | Outeniqua | SWD | |
| Sat.21Mar | WP | Brackenfell | 12-41 | SACS | WP | |
| Sat.21Mar | WP | Durbanville | 12-45 | Paarl Gim | WP | |
| Sat.21Mar | WP | DF Akademie | 05-42 | Charlie Hofmeyr | BOL | |
| Sat.21Mar | WP | Wynberg | 14-35 | Drostdy | BOL | |
| Sat.21Mar | SWD | Oakdale | 50-00 | Upington | GRQ | |
| KWAZULU-NATAL | ||||||
| Sat.21Mar | KZN | x-x | KZN | Flu | ||
| Sat.21Mar | KZN | Kearsney | 18-10 | Glenwood | KZN | |
| Sat.21Mar | KZN | Westville | 26-10 | Maritzburg Coll | KZN | |
| Sat.21Mar | KZN | Michaelhouse | 28-14 | Northwood | KZN | |
| Sat.21Mar | KZN | Clifton | 07-43 | St Charles | KZN | |
| EASTERN CAPE | ||||||
| Sat.21Mar | EP | Port Alfred | 17-12 | Ndzondelelo | EP | Graeme Rugby Festival |
| Sat.21Mar | EP | Otto du Plessis | 19-26 | Muir | EP | Graeme Rugby Festival |
| Sat.21Mar | EP | Daniel Pienaar | 24-24 | Stirling | BOR | Graeme Rugby Festival |
| Sat.21Mar | EP | Kingswood | 78-00 | Cambridge | BOR | Graeme Rugby Festival |
| Sat.21Mar | BOR | Selborne | 15-24 | Framesby | EP | Graeme Rugby Festival |
| Sat.21Mar | EP | St Andrew’s | 17-22 | Pearson | EP | Graeme Rugby Festival |
| Sat.21Mar | EP | Graeme | 42-28 | Marlow | EP | Graeme Rugby Festival |
| FREE STATE – GRIQUAS | ||||||
| Sat.21Mar | GRF | Beth. Voortrekker | 20-59 | Diamantveld | GRQ | Wesgrow SSR |
| Sat.21Mar | FS | Fichardtpark | 22-19 | Trio | GRF | Wesgrow SSR |
| Sat.21Mar | FS | Jim Fouche | 24-19 | Witteberg | GRF | Wesgrow SSR |
| Sat.21Mar | FS | Grey College | 31-15 | Monument | LIO | |
| Sat.21Mar | GRF | Welkom Gim | 29-10 | Potch Gim | LEO | |
| NOORDVAAL | ||||||
| Sat.21Mar | VAL | Die Anker | 00-52 | Zwartkop | BUL | NWU Prestige |
| Sat.21Mar | VAL | Hugenote (Springs) | 16-14 | Wagpos | LEO | NWU Prestige |
| Sat.21Mar | BUL | Montana | 22-19 | Heidelberg VS | VAL | NWU Prestige |
| Sat.21Mar | LEO | Bergsig Ac | vs | Jeugland | VAL | NWU Prestige |
| Sat.21Mar | LEO | Klerksdorp | 12-22 | Pietersburg | LIM | NWU Prestige |
| Sat.21Mar | LIO | Marais Viljoen | 09-36 | Wesvalia | LEO | NWU Prestige |
| Sat.21Mar | PUM | Piet Retief | 14-90 | Waterkloof | BUL | NWU Skolesportreeks |
| Sat.21Mar | LIM | Ben Vorster | 47-22 | Eldoraigne | BUL | NWU Skolesportreeks |
| Sat.21Mar | BUL | Oos-Moot | 21-20 | Middelburg | PUM | NWU Skolesportreeks |
| Sat.21Mar | VAL | Kempton Park | 15-25 | Nelspruit | PUM | NWU Skolesportreeks |
| Sat.21Mar | LIO | Noordheuwel | 03-41 | Garsfontein | BUL | |
| Sat.21Mar | LIO | Jeppe | 62-14 | St David’s | LIO | |
| Sat.21Mar | LIO | KES | 36-12 | St John’s | LIO | |
| Sat.21Mar | LIO | St Stithians | 24-31 | Pretoria BH | BUL | |
| Sat.21Mar | BUL | St Alban’s | 20-55 | Menlopark | BUL | |
@Hustle 1 (Comment #53)
Cranbrook School, Australia, I believe.
Queen’s are consistently one of the most popular sides at the KES festival. Typically, they are accompanied by a vocal contingent of alumni, which significantly enhances the event’s atmosphere. Their rugby style bears a strong resemblance to that of the host team, characterized by expansive running rugby. Their backline rarely underperforms or disappoints, and their forwards exhibit a formidable vigor and enthusiasm that makes them exceptionally challenging to defeat and is often admired by other premier rugby schools.
Historically, some of the most memorable matches at the festival have been contested between Queen’s and KES, and I anticipate this year’s fixture will maintain that tradition. Who will ever forget the 37-36 RED victory in 2022? Or Queens 21-19 victory in 2023 at the Grey Festival?
@Kaya 85 (Comment #48)
Seems I might have been wrong on Sunday morning the “Sandton Weaklings” were alot more competitive in the u14 and u15 age groups and even nearly won the u15b game …. also from what I heard not soo many injuries in these games and no niggle at all …. regarding comment number 51 I am pretty certain you disappeared after the century at NoordSuid but I will take credit for it too…. I do love Paarl GIM they will forever be responsible for one of the best SBR games I have ever seen …. the ruthlessness to go for the century and score 3 tries in 2 minutes ….. I would also hide for year 🙈🙈🙈🙈
THIS AND THAT
All I tried to say is keep the game about the game ….I saw way too many unnecessary injuries on Saturday. The type that give the game we all love a bad name. Often coming from a defender being too aggreesive on their tackles and inevitably hurting themselve. I love a clean hard hit as any other rugby fan does. Dirty cheap shots and off the ball niggle no longer have a place in our game. Play the game in a healthly competitive spirit to the best of your ability there is no need for that other stuff 😜
RESPECT FOR ALL
Well said! @Ringo’s rude comments are what drove me away from this site last year. Rugby is about respect and yes, even weaker schools and teams are to respected. Without them there is no game. There are very few schools in the top tier and certainly none in Johannesburg. We should all appreciate how lucky we are to be able to have local derbies that mean something. St John’s didn’t push KES close in too many games yesterday and yet there was a full house and a wonderful atmosphere. How sad it would be if we stopped playing our closest neighbour. St. David’s are making a big effort to improve their rugby. This should be applauded- not belittled. It would be so healthy for Lions rugby if we could get some of our schools to be more competitive. Saints, St John’s, St. David’s and even Parktown should be encouraged as much as possible. If we could all have competitive fixtures against these schools, then we wouldn’t need to travel to Natal at great expense for the sake of competition. I also think it’s healthy for Johannesburg boys to get to know one another and sport is the best catalyst for this.
@Kaya 85 (Comment #48)
You are 100% correct ….. just too many off ball incidents yesterday for my liking. Inevitably our friends tried to hurt our kids and ended up hurting themselves hence my “Sandton weaklings” sentiment. Tell my son this all the time never start a fight but if someone punches you… you are allowed to defend yourself. If you are learning and building make the game about the game do not start fights you cannot win it just spoils the whole thing. Do not get me wrong I absolutely understand slowing down the tempo of a rampant team when they are running over you. My frenemies from Houghton last year took 100 from GIM they took it with a lot it with alot heart none of the extended strecthing or even off the ball niggle. They never spoilt a good game😜😬🫶
Lyk my die Donkies het n goeie span vanjaar.
@Ringo (Comment #47)
It’s part of the beauty of sport. You can be brought low after flying high. Take it one game at a time, and none of this Sandton weaklings talk. That school is building surely, steadily…as old Jaco Peyper said ‘Remember the values’.
Jeppe has had a very-long standing ‘underdog strength & fighting spirit’ embedded in its ethos passed down through the generations. The flip side, i.e. when they face an underdog as in St David’s this week, sometimes results in what you saw in that first half, or worse, Monument’s result last year. Every battle is a new opportunity, and you have to lay the proper foundations every time again from scratch.
@wanza_15 (Comment #46)
In all honesty we need to establish a more ruthless mean streak ….too often we play down to the level of the weaker opposition we face
…… in total today Inanda Polo club scored only 3 tries and 2 converted penalty goal kicks in 20 games of rugby… I am still miffed at that as against these Sandton weaklings that was too many points allowed today
@Ringo (Comment #44)
I agree with you 100% Ringo.
1st XV were not good today overall, and particularly in the 1st half.
If there’s 1 thing I have learnt about the big schools, one of which we meet at Noord Suid, they will absolutely blow you away, and have the game all but done in the opening 10 minutes if you let them. We need to start better..
Overall it absolutely has to improve, otherwise we will be the story of Noord Suid for the wrong reason.
I trust they will though. Noor Suid is here in the North this year I guess slightly, slightly plays in our favour?
THEY ALL FLEW ???????!!!! My goodness 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭🤯🤯🤯🤯
@wanza_15 (Comment #42)
This one buddy is beyond us mate Klub600 and the Affies parents flew 31 rugby teams and 17 hockey teams to the Western Cape the only buses were to and from the Airport…..on the Jeppe performance today though no offence intended to our weakest opponent of this season but in all honestly we played down to their level today….. if we play like this against Boys High at NoordSuid next week we are joining the Paarl 100s club like our friends from Houghton …. although the kids tried to entertain that first half leaves too much to desire 🙆🏾♂️🙆🏾♂️🙆🏾♂️🙆🏾♂️🙆🏾♂️
@wanza_15 (Comment #42)
No buses – all of the teams flew down!
Would love to know, when did Affies leave Pretoria, how long they traveled for, and where/how they got hosted, wouldnt the space in the Paul Roos boarding houses?
I know there was hockey on Friday so did the hockey busses leave first?
This must have been a nightmare logistically
@JongMatie (Comment #40)
As ons speel soos vandag en 15man bly, dan ja. As ons speel soos die vorige Dinsdag en Vrydag aande, dan kan dit nog n interessante seisoen wees
Maroon Machine!!
Ek kan nie sien dat iemand hierdie goed afgerigte span kan en gaan klop nie.
Die telling vlei Affies.
62-14 win, poor first half, emphatic in the second.
I have nothing to judge the performance against as Garsfontein last weekend obviously wasn’t televised but at halftime there we were 19-10 down so maybe the first half performance in that game was poor too. Hopefully it is as obvious as this to the coaches as well and we can fix that. Those first 15 minutes.
I am VERY impressed by our lock, Blake Esbend, he’s my man of the match, he is terrifying, a man amongst boys. I really am going to find out where he was last year – it must have been a long term injury.
Letsie our captain at inside centre also makes me sleep well at night. Such a selfless player, makes all the right decisions.
There are six players from that team from last year if I am not mistaken. However as a St John’s Old Boy I honestly believe we need to start giving rugby bursaries. We still play PBHS,Jeppe and KES every year and SJC rugby festival usually has a tough game such as Bishops this year and Hilton last year. I hope that Dale Jackson recognises that us as old boys want to see a successful rugby program. SJC has amazing academics and culturals and is decent at summer sports, but we have been lacking in rugby.
@wanza_15 (Comment #33)
Parktown 13 – 6 St Benedict’s
A tougher game than I anticipated. But a win is a win. Will build character and help going into the rest of the season. Think Jeppe should win big tomorrow. Will be interesting to see how KES go against their neighbours down the road.
@wynr (Comment #32)
Huh?
Drostdy visit Wynberg on Saturday. Should be competitive.
@wynr (Comment #32)
Thanx, I have just joined this morning. Easy setup and navigation.
@Kaya 85 (Comment #31)
Interested to see who will win the Bennies-Parktown game given the preparation Bennies had at the Wynberg fest. Parktown will bring the energy definitely and are buoyed too I hear. I think Parktown edge them
Saints with a game under their wing at home to Boys High may also be interesting. I think I’ll go with Pretoria still though, by 12.
I don’t know how many survivors St Johns have from their 2025 team, but if its a handy number, they could hang around in the KES game, particularly given how close they came last year. Will also be keeping a close eye on that result, interested to see how it all works out.. At Home I have KES by 15 in this one. I don’t see them winning this game by 30 points as you do Kaya.
Jeppe by a lot. I was at 65 but it could be anything really, especially if the boys have the license to be free and play “their way”. I suspect the coaches may want to work on/see very specific things in-game in preparation for Noord-Suid and emphasize the precision of things, which will bring the score down.
Grey-Monnas in Bloemfontein, eish. I am clutching at straws trying to find a way for Monument. They’ll lose by 25 best case scenario.
The big one, I think Affies will rise to the occasion despite what many felt was a shaky display v Waterfloof. Rise to the occasion doesn’t necessarily mean conquer it, Paul Roos by 8.
@Kaya 85 (Comment #31)
Kaya; why not download Wynr the new Mobile App for Interschools Rugby. Fixtures, Results, Stats, Rankings, Submit Scores, Bulk Fuxture Result Submits… and then the very cool super bru predictor, community predictions, leaderboards…. Download from iOS or Play Stores. Free, no adverts, POPIA compliant. 👊🏻💥👍🏻
Kaya’s Joburg/Pta predictions:
St Benedict’s 25 – 25 Parktown
Marais Viljoen 20 – 27 Wesvalia
Kempton Park 16 – 23 Nelspruit
Noordheuwel 30 – 34 Garsfontein
Jeppe 60 – 3 St David’s
KES 41 – 10 St John’s
St Stithians 15 – 42 Pretoria Boys
St Alban’s 11 – 51 Menlopark
Paul Roos 22 – 21 Affies
St Benedict’s v Parktown to be played Friday evening under lights.
@agter_die_pale_pa (Comment #5)
Grey at home will be a stretch to far for Monnas and could easily turn into a massacre like the Selborne game a few seasons ago. PRG, if everyone is available, will be a safe bet at home. Noordheuwel / Garsfontein to be a good indication of where the bere find themselves after the early season “banana skin”.
@Roger (Comment #27)
Brad Soekoe! Him and some of his team mates, Mark Batchelor for one, wanted to beat me and Alan Norval up at a cricket match we were scoring, KES v Sandringham, 1987… thankfully he’s chilled since then…
@brentsw3 (Comment #26)
Thanks Brent, I just hope they have a relatively injury free season – last year was terribly unlucky injury wise.
I played rugby with Dan Soekoe’s dad back in the day – he was a tough, mobile prop forward – not sure where the flyhalf genes came from !!
@Roger (Comment #25)
1. Siya Nkomo GR12 – capped in 2025, Grant Khomo Welpies 2024
2. Andries vd Merwe GR 11 – Grant Khomo 2025/ Luca Catling GR 12 Grant Khomo Welpies 2024
3. Dylan Budler GR 12 – capped in 2025/ Konke Ntsepe GR 11
4. Adrian Barnard GR 12 – capped in 2025/ Naledi Phiri GR 11, Grant Khomo 2024
5. Ash Vreugenburg GR 12 – capped in 2025
6. Sibusiso Hessou GR 12 – Grant Khomo Welpies 2024/ Josh Eykelhoff GR 12 – capped in 2025
7. Diederick Kleyn GR 11 – Grant Khomo 2025
8. Sochi Ogidi GR 11/ Josh Snyman GR 12 – capped 2025
9. Taig David GR 12 – capped in 2025/ Pierre Crofton GR 11 – Grant Khomo 2025
10. Daniel Soekoe GR 12 – capped in 2025,
11. Josh Wilkinson GR 12 – capped in 2025, Grant Khomo 2024
12. Sam Smith GR 12 – capped in 2025, Lions U18 Academy 2025, Grant Khomo Welpies 2024
13. Asa Mgwatyu GR 11 – Grant Khomo 2025
14. Russel Mgiba GR 11 – Grant Khomo 2025/ Olerato Kgwebana GR 12 – Grant Khomo Welpies 2024
15. Luyanda Mbadamana GR 12 – capped 2025, Grant Khomo 2024
I expect either Sam Smith or Daniel Soekoe to captain the side…
I suspect there a good 5 or 6 players I haven’t considered and/or have missed.
I also couldn’t verify but I have a sneaking suspicion Daniel Soekoe, Josh Wilkinson, Siya Nkomo and Ash Vreugdenburg represented Lions U17s in 2025
@brentsw3 (Comment #23)
Thanks Brent – would be super helpful if you named your starting line-up here and where the boys were / which team played last year (academy week, craven week, grant Khomo etc) – if you have the time or inclination
@KES Oldboy (Comment #20)
I do know that Saints decided to put Jeppe, KES and Boys High on a rotation stating the sizeable scores had no educational value to the boys.
Whilst this started in 2022 I think that Jeppe replaced that game with Monument and KES replaced them with Noordheuwel and in both cases those look to have become annual fixtures now. I am not sure about KES but I think Saints no longer have a hockey fixture with Jeppe unless they meet in a festival.
I have been told by both one of the old boys at Jeppe as well as a mate of mine that was a KES old boy that both schools were a bit confused that Saints would not accept playing rugby and possibly face a big loss, but were happy to hand out big scores in water polo.
I was led to believe that both schools told Saints it is an “all or nothing” fixture going forward, so I am not sure if that anything to do with the lack of cricket fixture with KES.
I am sure the schools will play at 1st team level in various festivals but it will be sad if there is any truth to those rumours.
@Roger (Comment #22)
The REDS prospects in 2026?
Too early to say, new coaches in Jubz and Mash, new S&C coach, need to see the team sheet, although I have a good idea of what the starting XV may look like.
Plenty potential and talent Roger.
16A 2024/5 were good sides. 2024 ranked 10th, 2025 ranked 32nd. They were better than that IMHO, ran the Top 5 ranked Paarl Gim close in an early season fixture. They also were strongly represented at the 2025 Grant Khomo week with 6 players selected. Bear in mind, Mash coached these U16 sides. He knows the players well and while his temperament and sometimes unorthodox approach might be questionable, the results speak for themselves.
If Jubz can pick his best XV for most of the season, their prospects are decent.
Regarding Outeniqua, yes, Noord Suid is often too much too soon. Paarl Gim in 2025, Grey Bloem in 2024, Quteniqua in 2026, those are tough 2nd fixture of the season assignments.
Outeniqua put 100 past Worcester Gim and 45 past Nico Malan. Bishops beat Worcester Gim by a score so yes, every indication is Quteniqua are potentially a Top 10 side in 2026…
@KES Oldboy (Comment #20)
Heh KesOldBoy – good to see you again and thanks for your insights. Now can you tell us what to expect from the Reds in 2026? – Brent was a little vague! I’ve seen a few clips of Outeniqua from last weekend and they look as though they have a strong team – I hope KES aren’t caught cold again. Only St Johns before Outeniqua at the Noord Suid festival? Shew – big step up!
I’ve also just seen the fixtures for Saturday on FB. Good to see St Johns putting out 15 teams with 6 open teams – well played! I also see the KES 2nd team are playing Northcliff High 1sts and seem to remember KES lost this fixture last year – hopefully they don’t underestimate Northcliff again!
@Vleis (Comment #9)
I believe that St David’s were missing 3 key players vs Saints who were away playing provincial polo. I heard it included both the captain and vice-captain. They would definitely have made a difference. But yes, St David’s are in for a tough day at Jeppe.
@Roger (Comment #18)
Definitely nothing at play between Saints & KES. They play each other in all other sports but weirdly there wasn’t a cricket fixture either this season but I think that was just due to availability. But as the 2 leading cricket schools in Gauteng this should not happen. Ironically 3 of the 4 Jonny Waite finals then featured KES vs Saints. I just think that Saints were always going to have a weak team in 2022 and the 2 year Covid break didn’t help their cause. They got hammered on the day and their junior teams took some big scores so I can understand them wanting to take a break from the rugby fixture vs KES. But I do believe it’s time that they step up again and play all 3 of KES, PBHS and Jeppe. Just like St John’s do.
@Roger (Comment #18)
KES Oldboy confirms that Saints pulled out of the fixture, as they’re rebuilding. They only play one of Jeppe/PBHS per season. This year and last it was PBHS. Maybe next year they’ll be ready.
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So, I don’t think that they’ve played both Jeppe and PBHS in the same year, other than a few years ago, when they combined with Bennies to share a fixture against Jeppe.
@meesh and @vleis – thanks for your insights. As far as I understand, Boys High have never been a regular fixture for Saints whereas KES and Saints have/had a long standing fixture only for Saints to summarily pull out in 2022. Must have been more at play than just taking a hammering and too few teams – and suddenly they start an annual fixture against Boys High and still play an annual fixture against Jeppe – weird!
Just poking fun. There won’t (really) be any blood lol
I think it is a great opportunity for St David’s. Free hit, nothing to lose really, hope they give a good account of themselves. As for resting players as you suggest Vleis, good luck telling the guys that after the dog fight and pain they had to endure to beat Garsfontein away, they won’t be rewarded with the official home opener against opposition they get to strut their stuff against, yikes I know I’d be mad. Perhaps they don’t play the full 70, but I think a full strength team must line up for the opener in front of the school on Saturday.
Monument will lose by at least 30 against Grey. Wouldn’t be surprised if 50 plus. Not at all because of better player quality than Monument, but because Grey in my opinion is far better prepared and coached at this stage of the season. Watching their respective first few games clearly proves the reason for my opinion. Anyway enjoy the ruggas!
@Meesh N (Comment #14)
The St Alban’s boys (of a decade ago) most looked forward to their games against KES, Jeppe and Boys High…to measure themselves against tier 1 oppo…but Boys High was the biggest, being the only two monastic Soutie schools in P-town. In his five years, they had some ding-dong battles with PBHS – I think that the cricket was 3 to 2 to PBHS (Donovan Ferreira’s year), with the rugby 3 to 2 to StA. They disliked the Boys High guys at the time, but are all mates now.
@Roger (Comment #12)
That’s a pretty confusing reason to hault the fixture on their end because other than the 2025 first side score the rest of the teams were handed massive scores from the rest of the school. They conceded an average of 67 points between the 2nds, 16, 15 & 14A sides, an average also made flattering by the 16As only managing to put up 43 points. Some big scores among the B-D team games too (who were likely playing a team or two up to create a strength on strength scenario), a positive though is that SAINTS brought up 16 teams on the day.
My point is what you get from KES, Boys High & Jeppe is pretty much the same as far as fixtures, strength & programs are concerned & maybe they feel playing all 3 in the same season would not be beneficial to their program as yet. When KES was on their fixture list in 2022 we weren’t, we had to opt for an experiment vs St Davids which didn’t go too great with us putting up an 80-0 scoreline against the first team (from an extremely average & grade 11 ridden 2022 Candies side) & out they went, in came SAINTS who then suffered a similar fate in 2023 & 2024.
@Roger (Comment #12)
Originally, I thought that it was because Saints produce too few teams and are too weak now for a more ambitious KES. However, I seem to remember KES Oldboy stating that the decision was take by Saints. I think that KES OldBoy (or Brent) is best placed to answer your question.
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The bottom line is that the fixture lists of KES and Jeppe are a lot tougher these days as, inter alia, they don’t play all the “Saint” schools any more.
@Kaya 85 (Comment #10) good to hear re: St Davids, Gauteng needs a strong Saints contingent! What I find interesting is that St Stithians is still not back on the KES fixture list but I see they are playing Boys High. I wonder when/if they will make an appearance again after playing every year from 1970-2022 and beating KES regularly in the early 2000’s. I was told they got tired of taking big scores and were battling to put out more than 12 teams – have things changed? Perhaps Vleis can enlighten me?
@wanza_15 (Comment #8)
You might be right. But regular exposure to top teams, well you might help build another Jeppe (North)
@Vleis (Comment #9)
St David’s have been steadily working, building, improving their rugby program… structures, participation, coaching, rugby culture …In truth, they are not ready for Jeppe but this is a statement from them that their aim is to be competitive on that level. A school that fields 20 rugby teams consistently is by definition then a rugby school. Let’s see if they can hold their chins up after Saturday, but hopefully they learn fast and Joburg can have another quality rugby pathway.
@wanza_15 (Comment #8)
Given that St David’s lost at home to Saints, their prospects at Jeppe look very bleak indeed. If I was Jeppe, I’d rest anyone with any niggles (however slight) as this result is a foregone conclusion. On the plus side, St David’s appear able to put out about 20 teams now, so most Jeppe teams will get a game. This is excellent progress and I commend them for that – hopefully, this increased volume of teams and a growing boarding culture will deliver stronger results in a few years. Of course, a few scholarships per annum would help too!
Are St David’s sure?
Bloodshed is on the agenda if they are.
@agter_die_pale_pa (Comment #5)
very untested hjs team no real stars- they will do well to finish in top 6 imo- but who knows
@agter_die_pale_pa (Comment #4)
It sounds like great progress is being made at Menlo.
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I think that Menlo will be too strong for a derby (esp. now that St Alban’s no longer play KES or Jeppe to toughen them up), but I hope that I’m wrong. St Alban’s are now back up to 13 teams, which is a positive sign.
Very keen to see Boishaai’s 23. GCB/Monnas very important for Monnas I feel. Durbanville will have their hopes up after seeing the blueprint from their jaded friends. DHS/Hilton will be well-watched, but the obvious game is PRG at home to Affies. 31 teams… well done to all involved!
@Vleis (Comment #3)
Should be interesting to see how the 2 school match up, given Menlo’s rebuilding post covid. A Derby between them makes sense, as they are probably closest to each other geographically? Would also be good for St Albans’ program in the long run, which should benefit the Bulls as well.
See that Menlo has 18 teams this year, so it seems as if the new HM and DoR are slowly turning things around. All the teams maybe not in the running to be Noordvaal champs, but I suppose depth was always the first hurdle in turning a program around. And with coaches like Rugbyman joining ranks, building on their coaching pedigree as well.
@agter_die_pale_pa (Comment #2)
Please tell RugbyMan to be gentle on the Souties!
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St Alban’s used to have a Classic Clash with Menlo, but it was stopped in about 2014 as Menlo were simply too strong. The 1st team games were OK, but that was the era when Menlo had extremely strong junior teams (often ranked in the top 5 of the country) so St Alban’s took a few snotklaps…which I witnessed.
St Albans is playing Menlopark on Saturday
(Saturday 21st) Noordheuwel vs Garsfontein