With all the schoolboy festivals now over, players up and down the country can now get stuck into their traditonal derby days, their bread and butter.
The attendances at the Easter festivals and especially Wildeklawer last weekend, demonstrate both the passion people have for schoolboy rugby, as well as the incredible product that the boys have been producing in 2022.
This weekend sees the big Joburg clash between KES and Jeppe.
In the Western Cape, the Premier Interschools clash on Supersport between Paarl Gym and Paul Roos is bound to be a humdinger. In the southern suburbs, the oldest SA schoolboy clash will take place with Table Mountain as the backdrop as SACS take on the much vaunted Bishops side.
Moving to the Eastern Cape, Selborne host Grey College, who will be smarting after their narrow defeat to Paarl Gym at Wildeklawer under the lights on Monday evening. Selborne won both their games at their 150 Jubilee but this will be the acid test. There is also a Makhanda derby between St. Andrew’s and Graeme.
After Craven Week trials this week, the schoolboys in Natal will be looking forward to returning to run out for their schools. The battle between DHS and Hilton is the highlight, with the winner likely being the strongest side in Natal this year. Michaelhouse host Kearsney in an independent schools clash in the Midlands.
Western Cape
Rondebosch v Stellenberg
An intriguing, if under the radar fixture, takes place at Rondebosch on Saturday. Rondebosch would have been flying after beating Paarl Boys’ High and then following that up with a 40 point drubbing of St Andrew’s College at Selborne’s 150 Jubilee. They were brought down to earth by Grey on Monday though and will be looking to get back on track. As always, Gareth Blackmore will be key for ‘Bosch.
Stellenberg were impressive at Wildeklawer, beating Noord-Kaap and Menlo Park comfortably. The Jade Brigade should not be underestimated and will provide a stern test of Rondebosch’s credentials back on the Cape circuit.
Winner: Rondebosch
Paarl Gym v Paul Roos
Paarl Gym recovered from their shock defeat to Affies by hammering Helpmekaar and then beating Grey College at Wildeklawer,in what will rank as a schoolboy classic for years to come. They are so well drilled and have power, pace and skill across the park. They rarely lose to Paul Roos and with home advantage they will back themselves to continue their fine recent form.
Paul Roos have suffered a few defeats already, but did make an unbelievable comeback against the exceptional Bishops side just a couple weekes ago. Jurenzo Julius in the centre is an absolute tank and his battle with Losper will be box office. Paul Roos’s pack will have to domiante if they have any chance, but this seems unlikely.
Supersport Rugby @ 13:55
Winner: Paarl Gym
SACS v Bishops
SACS have really struggled this season, but did win last time out against Dale at Selborne’s 150. They have home advantage in the first of their annual clashes with Bishops, the oldest schoolboy rugby fixture in SA. They will have to play to their maximum potential and beyond that to be in with a chance.
The big news for Bishops is that talisman Bruce Sherwood is out for a few weeks. Interestingly, his place at 12 is taken by tearaway left wing Rupert Holmes. I think this is an inspired choice. Holmes will get plenty of good ball, he is electric and his defence is never found wanting. Sherwood will always be a miss, but Holmes could be a revelation. This could be a long day for SACS.
Winner: Bishops
Eastern Cape
Selborne College v Grey College
Selborne have had an inconsistent season thus far, but have won 3 on the trot. Facing Grey College is always daunting, but especially so after a very rare defeat for the Bloemfontein school. Tiaan Jacobs has received rave reviews, and his physicality will be crucial to keep Grey Bloem at bay in EL.
Grey College are stumbling by their standards, having won 1, drawn 1 and lost 1 of their last 3 games. This game against Selborne is followed by Paarl Boys and Affies, two MASSIVE games. Still, they should have too much up front for Selborne and then their backs will determine the margin.
Winner: Grey College
St Andrew’s College v Graeme College
St Andrews have won 5 and lost 5 this season, a poor return for the Makhanda side. They won all 3 at Saints and then lost both games at Selborne’s 150, summing up their inconsistent season. This will be an intriguing fixture as they have already lost to Kingswood in 2022 and losing to both of their Makhanda rivals in the same season is almost unheard of.
Graeme have been somewhat of a surprise package this season. All their defeats have been within 7 points and with a bit of luck they could be one of the country’s top performing schools. They will certainly be confident of beating a below par College side, even if it is being played on Lower Field.
Winner: St Andrew’s
Grey High School v Wynberg
Unbelievably, Grey managed to beat the much fancied Rondebosch on Monday at Selborne’s 150. That is surely the blueprint for the rest of the season. Keep the error base low, kick to the corners and get the unstoppable maul going. They also scored a few enterprising tries, it just seldom seems to come off. This game has proved difficult for Grey in the past, and is an important one as they build up next weekend’s Reunion clash against Queen’s.
Wynberg have a big and abrasive pack as usual and will come to PE with confidence, even if they have had a bizarrely easy set of fixtures to date. This is the start of a tough run of games when they return to the Cape and this may be their last reasonable opportunity for a victory in the next month.
Winner: Grey
Kwazulu-Natal
Michaelhouse v Kearsney College
Michaelhouse will be disappointed that they didn’t come closer to sworn enemies Hilton last weekend, especially with the carrot of upsetting their 150 celebrations. Be that as it may, this House side is very well drilled and plays a great brand of rugby. They have a big pack and an exciting backline and will be looking to put on a show for their home crowd this weekend.
Kearsney are another side who have had an inconsistent season thus far, winning 6 and losing 6. They did beat a strong DHS at the start of the season though and may believe that they can get the job done.
Winner: Michaelhouse
DHS v Hilton College
This could prove to be the clash between the two best sides in Natal this season, and a number of Craven Week players should come from these two sides.
DHS followed up their hiding of Maritzburg College with two tough fixtures at Wildeklawer. They beat Menlo Park but lost to Oakdale, who don’t forget drew to Grey College the week before. DHS play a forward orientated game and their flyhalf marshals them around the field. On the wings and at fullback they have searing pace and are dangerous from broken play.
Hilton have been very impressive this season, with 5 massive wins, scoring tries for fun. Their only defeat in a short season so far has been a narrow one against Paarl Boys high in the mudbath at St John’s over Easter. They dealt well with the pressure of the home Hilton/Michaelhouse fixture last weekend and will be confident of getting the better of the Horseflies in Durban, continuing their march to be unofficial Natal kings for 2022.
Winner: Hilton
Westville v Glenwood
Normally this fixture would not arouse too much interest but the recent transfer of Zuki Tom from Grey to Glenwood has turned some heads and leant more creedence to the view that poaching at school level is a scourge that must be stamped out.
I understand that Siya Kolisi wants to mentor a boy from his alma mater but there have to be better ways than this. What does Tom know or care about Glenwood?
Glenwood suffered two heavy defeats at Wildeklawer, albeit agaisnt powerhouses Paul Roos and Affies. Westville will be no pushovers, if their results so far are taken into account.
Anyway, it should be a good game, as Westville and Glenwood seem evenly matched this season and the game is being played at Westville.
Winner: Glenwood
Gauteng
Jeppe v KES
The biggest fixture in Joburg’s school calendar takes place this Saturday at Jeppe.
KES have been good this season, their only defeat coming against Grey in PE, in a game they should have won. This game is followed next weekend by the acid test against Affies and the men in red will be looking for a morale boosting win over their old foes.
Jeppe have had an up and down season, beating the strong Rondebosch at the Grey festival, but also being heavily beaten by Monnas and being shut out against Westville. They returned to winning ways against Pretoria Boys’ High alst weekend and will need their strong pack to set the platform.
Winner: KES
Keep up the good work Jannie Brookes!!! I enjoy your insight and clear passion for school boy rugby. You’re doing a great job at covering what has to be the highest standard of school boy rugby out of any rugby playing nation. Continue to let your incredible ability shine through in your work.
See you in the quad next Thursday for a few Fanta browns.