In a thrilling display of schoolboy rugby, Grey College narrowly defeated Paarl Boys’ 31-21 in Bloemfontein, showcasing resilience against a spirited comeback. Other schools across the nation also saw intense action, with victories that could shake up the rankings.
The match at Grey College began with Preston Bennett, the towering lock, crashing over from a lineout maul to draw first blood. Paarl Boys’ answered with ferocity as their No 8, Chris Nel, plowed through for a try. Grey’s center Eddie Mabena managed to slice through the defense to score, followed by a dazzling run from flyhalf Christoffel Crous, giving Grey a comfortable 19-7 lead at halftime. The second half saw Grey’s flanker Xander de Beer add to the tally with a maul-powered try. However, Paarl Boys’ were not done yet, with Nel securing his second try and flank Luhan Hattingh narrowing the gap to just three points. In the dying moments, De Beer sealed the deal for Grey with his second try of the match, ending the game at 31-21.
"Our boys showed great character today, sticking to our game plan and executing when it counted,"
noted Grey College’s coach post-match, reflecting on the nerve-wracking final minutes.Elsewhere, Stellenberg edged Oakdale Landbou 15-13 in a gritty battle dominated by forwards. The pivotal moment came when Ethan van Biljon, Stellenberg’s flyhalf, landed a crucial penalty kick that decided the game. Meanwhile, in the Western Cape, the rugby fields were ablaze with action as Rondebosch narrowly defeated SACS 19-17, and Wynberg handed Bishops a 38-20 defeat. The high-scoring trend continued with Paul Roos demolishing Durbanville 64-19, and Paarl Gim dismantling Boland Landbou 64-15.
In KwaZulu-Natal, the clashes were just as intense. Kearsney barely outlasted Michaelhouse 32-31, while Hilton showcased their dominance with a 42-7 thrashing of Glenwood. The Eastern Cape saw Graeme College put up an astonishing 90 points against Cambridge, winning 90-21, and St Andrew’s securing a hard-fought 35-27 victory over Marlow.
Affies stole the spotlight in Gauteng with an overwhelming 78-10 victory over Jeppe, demonstrating a potent mix of strategy and skill that left their opponents reeling.
The weekend results from various regions not only demonstrated the high calibre of school rugby but also set the stage for an exciting season ahead, filled with promising young talents eager to make their mark.