In a brilliant season, KwaZulu-Natal have six schools in the top 25 on the Ruggas.co.za 1stXV Rankings on 31 May 2026.
Maritzburg College leads the charge on 10th, with DHS at 12, Northwood at 13, Hilton at 15, Michaelhouse at 17, Westville at 20 and Kearsney at 25.
Despite Northwood being higher ranked than Hilton, a win for Northwood will be seen as a surprise. Hilton lost their first match of the season against Maritzburg College a week ago. Northwood lost 5 matches of the 12 they played; however, Northwood’s losses to Boishaai (18-21), Garsfontein (28-31) and Maritzburg College (24-27) were extremely close. My money is on Northwood as their opponents include some of the best schools in the country, while Hilton’s last few matches did not prepare them for the tougher fixtures later in the season.
Maritzburg College must be the favourites against Kearsney as Kearsney will be desperate to stop their two-match losing streak. Maritzburg College's win against Hilton should give them more than enough confidence to continue their winning streak against fellow KZN schools.
Westville, who was an early season favourite, have only won 7 of their 14 matches played; however, they should be the favourites against Michaelhouse, or should they?
KwaZulu-Natal fixtures for the weekend ending 07 June 2026.
Hilton vs Northwood
Kearsney vs Maritzburg College
Westville vs Michaelhouse