Here are the updated Top 20 First XV SA schools rankings after the latest round of action.
The South African schools rugby season is entering its decisive phase, with the latest First XV rankings offering a clearer picture of the country’s leading sides.
Paarl Gimnasium remain the benchmark.
However, significant movement behind them has reshaped the Top 20 order.
SA SCHOOLS FIRST XV RUGBY RANKINGS: TOP 20
| Rank | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | PAARL GIMNASIUM | 21.685 |
| 2 | STELLENBERG | 20.638 |
| 3 | PAUL ROOS GYMNASIUM | 20.123 |
| 4 | GARSFONTEIN | 19.438 |
| 5 | GREY COLLEGE | 19.350 |
| 6 | PAARL BOYS’ HIGH | 19.225 |
| 7 | AFFIES | 18.992 |
| 8 | HILTON COLLEGE | 17.600 |
| 9 | MONUMENT | 17.550 |
| 10 | MARITZBURG COLLEGE | 17.525 |
| 11 | NORTHWOOD | 17.264 |
| 12 | WESTVILLE | 17.094 |
| 13 | OAKDALE | 17.036 |
| 14 | RONDEBOSCH | 16.975 |
| 15 | DHS | 16.958 |
| 16 | OUTENIQUA | 16.809 |
| 17 | MICHAELHOUSE | 16.425 |
| 18 | WATERKLOOF | 16.008 |
| 19 | GREY HIGH SCHOOL | 15.300 |
| 20 | GRAEME COLLEGE | 15.146 |
STELLENBERG CLOSE ON THE SUMMIT
Paarl Gimnasium continue to lead the SA schools rankings with 21.685 points.
They firmly established their lead at the top after a convincing 68-22 victory over Paul Roos in a top of the table clash last Saturday This also sent Paul Roos down to third position.
However, the biggest development at the top comes from Stellenberg.
The Cape side has climbed into second place on 20.638 points following their 59-5 victory over Bishops en route to leapfrogging Paul Roos.
The margin between second and third is now just over half a point, setting up an intriguing battle in the weeks ahead.
As mentioned, Paul Roos slipped to third despite remaining firmly in contention among the country’s elite teams.
Garsfontein have moved into fourth place after destroying Monument 62-31. The Pretoria school edged ahead of Grey College, who dropped to fifth.
Paarl Boys’ High remained sixth and strengthened the Boland region’s grip on the upper reaches of the rankings.
They Wetsern-Cape based giants beat Boland Landbou 49-21.
Meanwhile, Affies hold seventh position and remain within touching distance of the top six.
Hilton College have climbed three places to eighth after another productive week following their 43-31 victory over Northwood in another high-scoring encounter.
Monument slipped one position to ninth after their loss against Garsfontein, while Maritzburg College round out the top 10 after they defeated Kearsney 24-22 in a tightly contested derby.
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PLENTY OF MOVEMENT IN THE TOP 20
Northwood have dropped outside of the top 10, slipping two places from ninth to 11th.
Westville’s rise continues. The Durban school moved up three places to 12th and now sit ahead of Oakdale who fell to 13th, while Rondebosch climbed one place to 14th.
DHS remain 15th while Outeniqua retain 16th position and remain firmly inside the top 20.
Michaelhouse slipped to 17th, but continue to feature among the country’s leading schools.
Waterkloof are unchanged in 18th.
Meanwhile, Grey High School moved up one place to 19th, pushing Graeme College down to 20th.
Ultimately, Paarl Gimnasium continue to lead the way – in fine fashion – with Stellenberg and Garsfontein continuing to be the surprise, feel good sides this season.
WHICH SA RUGBY FIRST XV DO YOU THINK IS THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY AT THE MOMENT AND HOW IS YOUR SCHOOL DOING?
Let us know in the comments section below …
