As has been flagged by the SuperSport Schools channels, and last week’s unveiling of the Kolisi Field at Grey High, we are well into Reunion season now, even if there are a few less blockbusters this weekend. That is offset by some massive clashes around the country!
This season is producing drama and quality the likes of which are not comparable anywhere in the world. The crowds at the games are evidence of this, and proof that the tribalism and passion for schoolboy rugby is undiminished, despite COVID’s best efforts!
In the Western Cape, Bishops welcome traditional southern suburbs foes Wynberg. The sides go into the game off the back of two varying results last weekend and it should be a cracker, with Wynberg coming to the boil. In a Boland clash, Paarl Gym host Boland Landbou. The Premier Interschools match on SuperSport this week is the big Winelands Clash between Paul Roos and Paarl Boys’ High on Markotter. This will also be my new #clashoftheweek, with an alternative match report to follow on Tuesday.
Moving to the Eastern Cape, in a real grudge match, Dale are at home to Selborne, with the Dale side going in as surely the most unfavoured home side at the CB Jennings graveyard in years. In Gqeberha, Grey High will come up against the surprise package of the Eastern Cape sides this year, Graeme College, in what should be a physical game. Framesby travel to Cradock to play Marlow to round up the major fixtures in the province.
It is half term for the private schools in KZN so there are limited fixtures in the province this weekend. The Sharks Craven Week was announced this week, with a fairly even split across six schools. It will be interesting to see what combinations they go with.
Finally, Gauteng sees arguably the biggest fixture of the weekend when Affies and Grey College come face-to-face in Pretoria. This game will draw a capacity crowd – luckily the Bulls are playing in Wales on Friday night in the URC. In the battle of the top English schools in Pretoria, Boys’ High play host to St Alban’s College, having put up a spirited display against the powerful Hilton side last week. In the Battle of Houghton, KES make the short trip to St John’s to wrap up this weekend’s fixtures.
Paarl Gym v Boland Landbou
Paarl Gym have had a strange season. Strongly fancied before a ball was kicked, they have beaten Grey College and hammered the strong Rondebosch side in Cape Town last week. However, they have suffered two ‘surprise’ defeats against Affies and Paul Roos, albeit both those sides are powerful this year too.
They have undoubted quality and should be too strong at home this weekend for Boland Landbou.
Boland Landbou are coming off a hiding away to Wynberg last time out, in a match that reminds one of basketball more than rugby, losing 40 – 61. This is a plucky side, as shown in the mud against the massive Affies pack over Easter and will be keen to show some fight against their more fancied neighbours.
Winner: Paarl Gym
Bishops v Wynberg
In a traditional southern suburbs fixture, Bishops welcome Wynberg to the Piley Rees on Saturday, having surprisibly struggled last weekend against Strand, only winning 10 – 7 at home, the wet conditions would have no doubt contributed to this. This Bishops side is so impressive but another damp day may level the playing field against a big Wynberg pack.
Wynberg are coming into the game on the back of impressive consecutive wins over Grey High and Boland Landbou. They have a strong set of forwards and are perhaps coming into form at the right time, with 3 very tough fixtures in a row. This should be a tight game, but Bishops will have enough in the end.
Winner: Bishops
Paul Roos v Paarl Boys’ High
In the Battle of the Winelands, Paul Roos will look to do the double over the Paarl schools when they face Boishaai at the Markotter in the Premier Interschools clash this week.
Paul Roos started the season slowly but have since played some excellent rugby and been involved in two of the games of the season agaisnt Bishops and Paarl Gym. Home ground advantage normally counts for a lot in these games and an expectant and large crowd should be on hand to see another classic.
Paarl Boys’ High will be frustrated at their second half performance last week against Grey College. They led at half time, but a series of errors, and Grey College taking their chances, meant they were left to rue what could have been. Their goalkicker will need to improve this week, as will their pack, who were decimated at scrum time in Bloemfontein.
I can’t wait for this game and this is my #clashoftheweek and the alternative match report will follow next week.
Winner: Paul Roos
Dale College v Selborne College
Dale’s tragedies and struggles this season have been well-documented and they come into their home match against bitter Border rivals Selborne low on confidence. The CB Jennings will always be a tough place to go, especially for a Selbornian, but this could be a long day for the Dalians, despite a morale-boosting hammering of Cambridge last weekend.
Selborne started the season inauspiciously by their standards but should fancy themselves to go on a long unbeaten run in the Border now, until the final game of the season against Grey High, the annual Eastern Cape decider. Mark Andrews said his best rugby memory was giving Dale 40, this Selborne side could well surpass that mark.
Winner: Selborne
Marlow v Framesby
The Wolramme are hosting Framesby this weekend in Cradock, having had a mixed set of results this season. They are disadvantaged in terms of numbers against Framesby but will always be a tough nut to crack in the Karoo.
Framesby on the other hand have been impressive this season, helped by a good forward pack and a menace at the breakdown. Their rugby is limited, but effective. They had a good win away to Kingswood last weekend and are on the road again, but will be confident of leaving with with a win on Saturday afternoon, in their penultimate fixture of the term.
Winner: Framesby
Grey High School v Graeme College
Grey were impressive last weekend in their win over Queen’s, dominating throughout and never having their lead under threat, with Queen’s scoring right at the death to make the scoreline a bit more respectable. There would have been massive pressure with the opening of the Kolisi Field prior to kickoff, but the men in azure rose to the challenge. They will need to do so again this weekend against the formidable Graeme pack.
Graeme have pulled off some shock results this year, including a draw against Selborne and beating St Andrew’s on Lower for the first time in over 20 years. Their success is built on a huge pack and they will be looking to claim another famous scalp away from home this weekend. They haven’t beaten Grey in many a year and a win here would be a sensation.
Winner: Grey
Affies v Grey College
What a humdinger there is in prospect in Pretoria on Saturday when Grey College make the trip to Affies. Traditionally these two schools are a barometer for any opposition and this year is no different. There will be a huge crowd of around 15 000 to see this battle and it should be a helluva game. Both sides have only lost once this season and the winner here could go on to be No. 1 in the country for 2022.
Affies have a superb team this year, with a dominant pack as per usual. The battle up front will have all former front rowers salivating and I can’t wait to see the first scrum. Affies were run close last week by KES, but are on a good run and home ground advantage may just be the telling factor.
Grey College were woeful in the first half last week against Boishaai, but turned the game on its head in the second half. With scrumhalf Caleb Abrahams dictating play and their No. 8 JJ Theron impressive with Lukas Meyer off injured, they dominated Boishaai. Grey College’s centres are abrasive and this will be another key battle.
Winner: Affies
St John’s College v KES
In the Battle of Houghton, near neighbours St John’s and KES clash at St John’s on Saturday.
St John’s lost 6 in a row earlier in the season, including all 3 at their own Easter Festival! They won’t be looking forward to their next two either, with KES and Michaelhouse next up. Their defence around the fringes is solid but may get exposed out wide against a dangerous KES backline.
KES on the other hand have had an excellent season, only losing to Grey High and Affies, both in games they perhaps could have won. They might be feeling a few knocks from last week’s battle against the Wit Bulle but will surely be relishing the chance to give their closest neighbours a real hiding on their own field.
Winner: KES
Pretoria Boys’ High v St Alban’s College
In a match between the two most prominent English schools in Pretoria, St Alban’s make the short trip to Boys’ High to continue their rivalry. Boith sides have had seasons to forget and this game should mean a lot to both sides, to salvage some local bragging rights at least.
Boys’ High put up a determined effort against the much stronger Hilton last week and will be looking to build on that performance. Losing to St Alban’s in years gone by would have been unthinkable but Boys’ High should be wary of the determined pack St Alban’s will bring.
St Alban’s have also had a tough season and will be keen to end a run of 4 consecutive defeats. A win over their Pretoria rivals could yet make up for this season’s disappointments. I will watch this result with interest, in a match that may be low on quality, but high in needle.
Winner: Boys’ High
