Bishops will host Paul Roos today in a match which should answer many questions to the schoolboy rugby fraternity. Bishops are currently ranked fourth while Paul Roos is ranked seventh on the ruggas.co.za rankings.
Bishops are currently unbeaten after seven matches, however, it must be said only their win against St Andrew's College (42-05) was convincing and against a top rugby school. Wins against Duineveld (45-05), Drostdy HTS (27-19), Outeniqua (31-20), Grey High (31-20), Maritzburg College (31-10) and Parktown (26-10) make for impressive reading, what it also shows is their "willingness" to allow their "stronger" opponents to score a lot of points.
Paul Roos' season dit not start well with losses against Affies (18-24) and Helpmekaar (23-30) at the Noord/Suid Rugby Festival. This was followed by a convincing win in Qherberha against Hrey High School (30-14). It was at the St John's festival where Paaul Roos started some brilliant form in extremely wet conditions. Wins against Welkom Gim (50-06) and Nelspruit (40-03) gained them a lot of new supporters, just loving the pace at which they played rugby in like said previously extremely wet conditions.
Who will win it? At the beginning of the season, Bishop was said to be a contender for the number one 1stXV spot in Western Province and even in South Africa. They did not disappoint during the first month or two of the 2022 schoolboy rugby season and did what was asked of them beating everybody that dare to challenge them. A big pack of forwards supplies a brilliant backline with more than enough quality attacking ball.
Paul Roos on the other hand was said to only challenge for the crown in 2024 and their start certainly supported that statement. However, they have been growing in leaps and bounds, and if I may, are now contenders that must be taken seriously by the top dogs. The speed and precision with which they played is growing by leap and bounds as they are adding their returning injured players to their team.
Bishops must still be the favourites, but only just. However, I would not be surprised if Paul Roos add another scalp to their 2022 season.