The early fights about who is the best 1stXV in South Africa on social media following the matches at the Noord/Suid and Easter Weekend festivals were not only funny but also extremely heated and the Ruggas.co.za 1stXV rankings were praised as well as criticized, depending on the school that is supported by the rugby fundi.
Admittingly the argument that the number one team is from the Western Cape does carry a lot of weight and personally, I would narrow it down to the Paarl.
With Grey College not playing this weekend Paarl Gim will play Boland Landbou and a win for Paarl Gim will earn them the number one 1stXV in South Africa.
Paarl Gim is the pundits' pick as the best 1stXV in South Africa with a brilliant pack of forwards that provide brilliant attacking ball to their backline. They are still unbeaten after beating Stellenberg, Monnas and Pretoria Boys High. Their best performance was their win over Monnas, however, just to be a "party-pooper" it must be mentioned that Monnas did lose to Westville at the Kearsney Festival. Boland Landbou had a great start to the season beating Milnerton, Outeniqua and Maritzburg College and then lost to Hilton College which is not having the greatest start to 2024. Boland Landbou finished their St John's Festival beating a hapless Hans Moore.
Therefore, both Paarl Gim and Boland Landbou had a week to recover and both teams must be excited for what the 2024 season may deliver. Boland Landbou last beat Paarl Gim in 2017 and personally, although I do believe it will not be a walkover, Paarl Gim will be crowned as the best 1stXV in South Africa until..........................
The second big match on Saturday is when Paarl Boishaai and Oakdale clash in the Paarl. None of the schools can claim the top spot on the Ruggas.co.za 1stXV rankings, however, the winner will make a big change towards that much sought-after "title". Boishaai has already beaten Durbanville, Jeppe, Garsfontein, KES and Boishaai, however, what must be discerning for their upcoming opponents is that Paarl Boishaai is improving game by game and are slowly convincing even their harshest critics that they may just end the season on number 1. Oakdale is also unbeaten in 2024 following wins over Ligbron, Rondebosch, Garsfontein and Helpmekaar.
Oakdale is a settled team and extremely clinical in their approach to dismantling their opponents. I do believe that they could upset several "top" schools in 2024. What also counts in their favour on Saturday is the week of rest they had while Boishaai played two matches at the KES Easter Rugby Festival.
If Boishaai want to beat Oakdale they will have to overpower Oakdale's big pack of forwards and outstep an extremely well-organised and fearless defence. Can Boishaai do it? Definitely yes, however ...........
The final match of interest must be the Charlie Hofmeyer clash who have already stormed up the Ruggas 1stXV rankings with their four-match unbeaten streak, however, Strand who is ranked five positions higher than the Charlies is also on the charge up the rankings. People claiming that "lesser" schools can not deliver the quality and excitement of matches played by the "top" rugby schools must maybe make the trip to Strand High School and return to the Paarl and Stellenbosch as converted souls. This should be a humdinger with brilliant exciting running rugby by two well-coached teams.
Western and Southern Cape Fixtures for the week ending 07 April 2024.
Brackenfell vs Bellville
Hugenote vs Drostdy HTS
Paarl Boishaai vs Oakdale
Paarl Gim vs Boland Landbou
Parel Vallei vs DF Malan
Rondebosch vs Milnerton
Stellenberg vs SACS
Strand vs Charlie Hofmeyer
Swartland vs Worcester Gim
Wynberg vs Durbanville
