The race for top spot in the latest SA Schools First XV rankings is intensifying, with the leading contenders now separated by the finest of margins.
Hoërskool Stellenberg continue to set the pace in the latest SA schools First XV rankings. However, the chasing pack of traditional SA school rugby powerhouses is closing in rapidly, with several sides now within touching distance of the summit.
Paarl Gimnasium sit just fractions of a point off the lead, while Paul Roos Gymnasium remain firmly in contention, just over a point adrift. Meanwhile, there have been notable shifts throughout the top 20.
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PAARL GIM AND PAUL ROOS CLOSING IN ON THE SA SCHOOLS LEADERS
Paarl Gimnasium are now just 0.151 points behind log leaders Stellenberg. The surprise package of the SA schools rugby season lead the standings with 21.740 points.
Meanwhile, Paarl Gim occupy second place on 21.589.
Paul Roos Gymnasium are close behind in third position with 20.078 points, keeping the pressure firmly on the top two.
Significantly, both Paarl Gim and Paul Roos have played one match fewer than Stellenberg. Meaning, this gives them a valuable opportunity to overtake the current leaders should they secure victory in their respective ‘games in hand’ (It is worth noting, however, that these rankings are unofficial and not based on a single league structure).
GREY COLLEGE AND AFFIES ON THE RISE
Elsewhere, Grey College have reclaimed fourth place after leapfrogging Hoërskool Garsfontein, who drop to fifth and also continue to hold their own against traditional SA schools powerhouses.
Thereafter, Affies have also made upward progress, climbing from seventh to sixth position.
Paarl Boys’ High School (seventh), Hilton College (eighth), Maritzburg College (ninth) and Hoërskool Oakdale (10th) complete the top 10. As a result, Northwood School have dropped out of the top 10, with Maritzburg College moving into the elite bracket.
MORE MOVEMENT AMONGST THE TOP 20
Northwood slip from 10th to 11th, while Hoërskool Monument fall one place to 12th.
In one of the more notable changes, Jeppe High School for Boys have dropped out of the top 20, with Graeme College moving into 19th position.
The remainder of the top 20 includes Outeniqua High School, Rondebosch Boys’ High School, Michaelhouse, Westville Boys’ High School, Durban High School, Kearsney College and Hoërskool Waterkloof.
Kearsney College, in particular, have impressed. They have played just seven matches – two to three fewer than most of their rival. However, they still maintain strong position within the top 20.
SA SCHOOLS RUGBY FIRST XV RANKINGS – TOP 20
| 1 | STELLENBERG | 10 | 21.740 |
| 2 | PAARL GIM | 9 | 21.589 |
| 3 | PAUL ROOS GYM | 9 | 20.078 |
| 4 | GREY COLLEGE | 11 | 19.600 |
| 5 | GARSFONTEIN | 10 | 18.950 |
| 6 | AFFIES | 11 | 18.827 |
| 7 | PAARL BOYS HIGH | 8 | 18.550 |
| 8 | HILTON COLLEGE | 8 | 17.975 |
| 9 | MARITZBURG COLLEGE | 9 | 17.500 |
| 10 | OAKDALE | 9 | 17.456 |
| 11 | NORTHWOOD | 8 | 17.400 |
| 12 | MONUMENT | 10 | 17.320 |
| 13 | OUTENIQUA | 9 | 17.278 |
| 14 | RONDEBOSCH | 8 | 16.925 |
| 15 | MICHAELHOUSE | 9 | 16.511 |
| 16 | WESTVILLE | 10 | 16.480 |
| 17 | DHS | 10 | 16.280 |
| 18 | KEARSNEY COLLEGE | 7 | 15.686 |
| 19 | GRAEME COLLEGE | 10 | 15.470 |
| 20 | WATERKLOOF | 12 | 15.283 |
