The 2026 Schoolboy Rugby Season is only three months old and has had more “surprises” than normally expected in a season. What is even more surprising is that only three teams are still in the race to be crowned as the best 1stXV in the country.
To keep up with this article, it is vital to take into account that who you play is more important than beating a team with 80 points. What is even more important at this stage is that you beat teams that are rated lower than you.
Taking into account the above, there are still several teams that can play “kingmaker” the rest of the season.
The two favourites at the beginning of the 2026 season, Paul Roos and Paarl Gimnasium, are topping the log with 100,962 and 100,526, respectively. Paul Roos still has Paarl Gim and Grey College that could determine their final position, while Paarl Gim have Paul Roos, Paarl Boishaai and Oakdale that could be potentially detrimental to Gim’s chances.
Taking their opponents into account and the matches they still have to earn points from, Paarl Gim should be the favourites; however, one loss in any of their five matches will hand the title to Paul Roos on a plate.
Placed third is Garsfontein (99,144), and with only their match against Monnas that can earn them any points. If Garsfontein goes unbeaten in their final six matches, which include a possible semi-final and final in the NoorVaal Cup competition. Beating Monnas on the 6th of June and in the final will earn Monnas two ranking points, which will take them to 101 ranking points; however, playing EG Jansen will cost them 1 ranking point for playing a team ranked less than 20 ranking points below themselves.
In order for Garsfontein to claim the big prize, they must hope that both Paarl Gim and Paul Roos lose at least one game each.
With Affies and Stellenberg already playing their “top” opponents, they will be onlookers with little to no influence on the top 10 for the rest of the season; however, Grey College, Paarl Boishaai, Oakdale and Monnas could not only decide the final Top 5 of 2026, but could also decide who will be crowned as the best 1stXV of 2026.
Ruggas.co.za Top 10 as on 24 May 2026 (Click here)
1 Paul Roos (100,962)
2 Paarl Gim (100,526)
3 Garsfontein (99,144)
4 Affies (98,877)
5 Stellenberg (97,896)
6 Paarl Boishaai (97,354)
7 Grey College (96,594)
8 Monnas (96,315)
9 Oakdale (94,844)
10 Waterkloof (93,093)