In a season in which Bishops got off to a flying start and 125-year-old Rondebosch got to celebrate in style via wins history book worthy wins over Paarl Boys’ High and Paul Roos, it was Wynberg who produced the local derby surprises as they completed a grand-slam first round in the Southern Suburbs and therefore remain on course for the Triple-Crown. Wynberg achieved this feat by beating their two top SS4 rivals for 2022 away from home.
Along with SACS, during the last three weeks of the schoolboy rugby season in the Cape, the four big Cape Town schools take on each other in what still looks like an open race to claim top honours.
@OUD ANKER: I think he is still in shock and/or hungover from their win against Bishops…. ;)
@BoschBoy: By the way where is your SACS buddy?? Is he still licking his battle scars, since I see SACS sucked again…but to be fair, they did put up a good fight against Wynberg.
@OUD ANKER: Thank you! I was expecting a bit more from Bishops if I’m honest, but Bosch played really well and was quite comfortable in the end.
It caps off a really good season for us, probably the best one we’ve had since 1997. A Triple Crown, wins against 3/4 Winelands schools, and a derby double over Bishops.
Some really close competition from Wynberg this season too, who had a very strong year, but on the balance of our other results, Bosch probably just edge it in the end.
@BoschBoy: Congrats on the Bosch win against Bishops. I actually expected a much tighter game, but well done on an excellent season….!
@OUD ANKER: Agreed, let’s do it! Unfortunately for him, yes (I kid of course) ;)
@BoschBoy: Let’s take @SACSBEATBISHOPS out then! I assume he is an old SACS?
@OUD ANKER: Agreed. End of the day, its the results that matter.
FYI everyone: SACSBEATBISHOPS is a friend of mine and likes to “troll” me wherever I go (social media, everywhere, you name it). He’s a good guy. But yes, feel free to troll him back when you can! ;)
@Gold: and @Boschboy, fair comments. It is indeed very close and will the best Southern Suburb school be settled this weekend. Two comments from my side. 1. As you noticed from my comments towards @Sacsbeatbishops, I don’t agree with blaming refs or luck in a result (although I also do it sometimes, no holier than though) 2. I must disagree with you guys with regards the comments re. the boys missing from Berg because of SA Schools,nobody will in 5 or 10 years care who was ill, who pulled a hamstring, who played for SA Schools, on the day it is the best of Berg against Bosch etc etc and are there no comments on a rugby score board, but I must compliment you guys on your objective posts.
@Gold: Very fair comment. I think holistically and the season on the whole, Bosch have been the better team and edge Berg there (to beat 3/4 Winelands schools is quite a feat – I’m not sure when an SS school has actually done that in recent memory).
From a purely SS perspective, it’s close and virtually a tie (of course things could change next week if a surprise happens in the derbies!). Berg beat Bosch at home, and Bosch beat Berg in the return (and fair point about Berg missing two of their star players)…but yes, if this was an official log standing championship, then Berg edge it. That said though, there really isn’t much to separate these two teams.
Be interesting to see what happens on the weekend. Really hoping Bosch can get the job done against Bishops and walk away with the third term Triple Crown
@OUD ANKER: There is no doubt Bosch have had better results against the winelands opposition. However, looking at a purely southern Suburbs battle, it’s hard to look past Wynberg. In this game, which Bosch stole at the death (fair play), Wynberg were missing their two best players on SA schools duty which would have made a difference. Also, looking at the home and away fixtures Berg edge Bosch 34-32 if you combine the scores from the two games. So it’s close, but I think Berg by a nose.
It does all come down to this weekend, as if either SACS or Bishops spring a surprise it will settle things. It would be nice to have the table updated.
From my quick calcs, the current standings are as follows:
Berg: 23
Bosch: 20
Bishops: 12
SACS: 5
@SACS BEAT BISHOPS: Unfair comments about Bosch being lucky etc etc. Being from up North and having no affiliation to any of the Southern Suburb schools I call it as I see it and this year (in my opinion) Bosch is the best Southern Suburb 1st team rugby school. Maybe next year it is SACS and then the same principal will apply in my “well done” comments, so be fair and give the credit to Bosch.
@SACS BEAT BISHOPS: Of course, great win mate! ;)
@BoschBoy: You said something nice about SACS!
@BoschBoy: Reckon Bosch are super lucky half the time and the ref is paid off the other half!
@OUD ANKER: Absolutely.
@BoschBoy: and @Vleis, always interesting to discuss the ifs and buts, however at the end of the day there are no comments columns on a rugby score board, therefore well done to Bosch on the win.
@Vleis: Yeah fair comment, I think Berg played really well. Their backs, especially the back three, were really dangerous. A lot of their mistakes were a mix due to some poor handling and Bosch defence.
But yes, they’ll look back at this match as a missed opportunity where they probably should’ve won.
@BoschBoy: I watched the 1st team game and thought that Wynberg were the better team on the day, but blew quite a few gilt-edged chances – sometimes due to poor handling or wrong options, but other times due to Bosch’s never-say-die scrambling defence. So, as you say, big credit must go to Bosch for their commitment and tenacity.
@Kantman: Thanks for the congrats! It was a really gripping and close encounter – A dangerous Berg attack vs a resolute Bosch defence at the end of the day. It really could’ve gone either way, but of course great character from Bosch to take it at the death there. A really special team this year I must say. In terms of the ‘title’, it’s down to next week really. Let’s see what happens
On your comment about SACS v Bishops, yes very fair point it is indeed impressive! Especially for SACS, who haven’t had a great year this year, to go to Piley Rees and get wins not only in the First XV game but the rest of the age groups is indeed quite a feat. Just a note on that: Bosch won all the age groups at Bishops last term but yes you’re right, for SACS it is a bit against expectations.
I saw enough in the SACS/Bosch game last week, where Bosch had to really toil to get the win in the end, to see them potentially causing an upset on the Piley, and indeed they did! It makes next week’s encounters (Bosch v Bishops and SACS v Berg) really interesting! Can’t wait
SACS clean sweep Bishops at age group A-teams and not a single comment from the Southern Suburb guys? When last did that happen, at Bishops, and very much against expectations?
@BoschBoy: Congratulations, looks like wins in all age groups from what I saw. Not sure if the title is settled yet?
@BoschBoy: Thanks.
@Rainier: Oh fully agreed! Some games are better than others but yeah, the general quality isn’t fantastic. But still, it’s one of those ‘better than nothing’, right? As someone who lives abroad and can’t go to the games physically (which I used to do very regularly and really miss), I’ll literally take any means to be able to watch a game.
@BoschBoy: Yip, but the quality sucks compared to the Youtube channel. I suppose it is better than nothing. Looking forward to young Mr Amos’s progress next year.
@OUD ANKER: Hoping you’re right!
@Rainier: I checked, looks like it’ll be on the SuperSportSchools App/website. Do you have that? Highly suggest you download if not, it’s quite impressive how many games and schools they actually stream!
@Vleis: I think it’ll be a really good watch! So the game is taking place at Bosch.
@Kantman: Fully agreed – I’d love to see Bosch or the other SS teams go up against some of the teams up North, it’s not often (aside from an Easter festival or something) we get to see how we stack up. It’s a pity
I’ll pop down to watch the Wynberg v Bosch game this weekend. It’ll be my first SBR game in CT, so hopefully it’s a cracker! Am I correct that it will take place at Wynberg?
@BoschBoy: Is the match being streamed somewhere?
@BoschBoy: I am still sticking my head out for a Bosch win and to take the Southern Suburb “title”.
@Kantman: I cannot agree with you more!
@BoschBoy: I will not be there to watch live, but will watch later on stream. All the best to both teams! Like mentioned in another post by @oud anker, I would love to see some Southern Suburb teams at Noord-Suid, even if you rotate every year. It somehow doesn’t feel right to see only the KZN teams as South when you guys are playing great rugby. The North also needs to play against Southern Suburb teams to experience the difference in style you bring.
@Kantman: On the back of their dismantling of Bishops, Bosch will have to play very well to win on Saturday. We’re more than capable of doing it, but Berg will be well up for it. Makes for a cracking game which could, you so rightly said, be the decider for the SS crown.
@Toffee: I didn’t catch the whole game but saw the last 20mins and some of the highlights. It was a seriously impressive display from Wynberg over the weekend! Bishops, although they have slipped recently, are no pushovers – to put them away by over 40 points takes some serious doing.
Bosch struggled against a resilient SACS team on the weekend, didn’t quite ‘click’ for us. I think on the basis of the last weekend’s results, Berg will go in as faves for the big one on Saturday (albeit marginally). Bosch will have to play very well to win, although it’s a pity you guys lost your captain for the rest of the season. What is your take for the big game on Sat?
@Kantman: I agree with you, pity not at least one of the Southern Suburb teams i.e. Rondebosch, Wynberg, Bishops are at the 2023 North/South tournament. They would certainly have added value.
After the weekend games, this season looks like Wynberg’s to lose. And deservedly so. Playing Rondebosch this weekend at home in what could very well be the decider. All round good year for the Southern Suburbs, with Rondebosch also playing well against Wineland schools. Bishops started well but then fizzled out.
Had the pleasure of watching the under 14a/16a and 19a play against Bishops. Each of those sides won comfortably against Bishops. 42-0, 54-15 and 44-12. The first team win was comprehensive. One has to admire the coaching at Wynberg. The teams all have the ability to play it tight or open up the game. The intelligent option taking from these young players was fantastic. The defense is also very good, low hard tackling and fast line speed. It can be high risk but even if the first tackler does not make a clean tackle he slows down the attacker. In the first team game the Bishops players were guilty of trying to tackle the Wynberg big ball carriers too high and they got over the advantage line with ease.
Sherwood was great for Bishops and stood head and shoulders above the rest of his team mates. Unfortunately he and the Wynberg captain Porthen played their last games for their schools and head off to play for SA under 18. Massive loss for both schools.
@Toffee: Indeed it is. I think there is very little to choose between Bosch, Berg and Bishops this year, overall – bounce of the ball, etc., any of those could win on the day. Sherwood is a big loss for Bishops, I agree. My heart says Bosch should take the “title” but my head says it’s gonna be awfully close!
Gonna be a very interesting few weeks ahead/ Particularly looking forward to the clash next week between Berg and Bosch, could be an absolute cracker.
Interesting few weeks ahead and one would think on form and ability Bosch should get the title but a lot of the derbies, particularly the Bosch/Bishops derby can go either way. Sherwood will be playing in the under 18 tournament which takes place during the week-ends of 20 and 27th, which is a big loss for Bishops. Wynberg will miss their captain as well.
Rain and strong winds predicted for this Saturday when Wynberg/Bishops meet.
I, however still predict Bosch to take the 2022 “title” for the best Southern Suburbs team.