The WP Schools rugby Day is hosted today (17/03) at Paul Roos’ Markotter Stadium, with many supporters claiming that it has lost its sparkle since moving from Newlands and only serves as final trial matches before the start of the NoordVaal at Affies in Pretoria.
Admittedly, taking the results of the past weekend into account, most of the games’ results are not up for discussion.
However, it will be interesting to see how Boland Landbou will respond after their 24-13 loss to Durbanville. The unbeaten Bishops will fancy their chances, especially taking into account that the matches are shortened to two halves of twenty minutes.
Stellenberg should cruise to an easy win, or maybe a bit closer if they decide to rest the sore bodies following their 20-19 win against Paarl Gim on Saturday.
Paarl Gim and Paul Roos will use the opportunity to rest players and try a few combinations; however, Wynberg will ask some good questions from Paul Roos.
Paarl Boishaai and Rondebosch will be facing each other, with both in their first outing of the year. A lot is expected from Paarl Boishaai in 2026, and it is expected that they will come out firing.
Fixtures 17 March 2026
Scotsville vs Bellville HTS
Stellenberg vs Bellville
Boland Landbou vs Bishops
Milnerton vs Durbanville
Paarl Gim vs SACS
Rondebosch vs Paarl Boishaai
Paul Roos vs Wynberg
On Saturday, there are two big clashes scheduled, when Boishaai host Outeniqua and Paul Roos hosts Affies.
Despite the doomsday pundits' predictions that Paarl Gim could lose to Durbanville, following Durbanville’s win over Boland Landbou. That is not going to happen, as Durbanville does not have the players that Stellenberg does. Stellenberg should also cruise to a win over Worcester Gim, while Oakdale will be out to get their season back on track against Upington, following their 07-38 against Grey College in Riversdal.
Paarl Boishaai will host an Outeniqua, which is in a devastating form this season, despite the majority of their squad being U17 boys. Of Paarl Boishaai, we know little to nothing, but Sean Erasmus will be prepared for Outeniqua, and we expect them to be in the race for the top 1stXV at the end of the season.
The second big match of the weekend is when Paul Roos hosts Affies on Saturday. Paul Roos and Grey College must be the best 1stXV’s in South Africa at this moment. They play a fast game on defence and attack, making little mistakes, which piles on the pressure on the opponents, who will eventually crack. Affies, on the other hand, have a very young team that showed glimpses against Waterkloof that will make them a top 5 team at the end of the year. Both teams play a fifteen-man game; however, Paul Roos’ speed at the back will be the difference. It should be a close game untill early in the second half, unfortunately and then ..........
Fixtures 21 March 2026
Bellville vs Hopefield
Brackenfell vs SACS
DF Akademie vs Charlie Hofmeyr
Durbanville vs Paarl Gim
Oakdale vs Upington
Paarl Boishaai vs Outeniqua
Paul Roos vs Affies
Stellenberg vs Worcester Gim