Amazing as it may sound the 2023 Schoolboy rugby season is in its 9th week of action with several schools' ego bruised and with some underdogs with their tails in the air.
Ruggas.co.za 1stXV Rankings as at 16 April 2023
Grey College is the undisputed number 1 1stXV in the country, unbeaten after 7 matches despite being made to work hard for their wins over Outeniqua and Maritzburg College. Every match Grey College play is always named the fight for number 1, however Grey College already opened a 4 points lead at the top of the rankings they will need to lose 2 matches before being pushed from the top spot. Can anybody beat Grey College, yes but not likely at all.
At number 2 Paarl Gim's only loss was against Grey College with their second big test that will be against Affies this weekend, however this match will be for Paarl Gim to lose and not Affies to win. However, I must admit that Gim looked extremely vulnerable at this stage but .......................
At 3 Garsfontein has not completely ran on all 8 cylinders in their opening matches this season. They eaither had a good first half or had to fight back in the second half. They are still unbeaten in 2023 and their big test will be at Wildeklawer when they will face Grey College and Outeniqua. A suicide mission if you ask me, however, if they can fir on all cylinders for 70 minutes Wildeklawer could be their best weekend ever.
Paarl Boishaai is currently ranked 4th, primarily because of their surprising loss against Oakdale a week age and could have easily been second if, however, if does not count and several questions are being asked by the Boishaai Old Boys. I still believe that Paarl Boishaai will be in the hunting pack looking to topple Grey College.
At 5 Paul Roos is a bit of a surprise, however they only lost was against Monnas and these youngster might still be the big surprise of 2023. They showed against Grey High that they do have the gameplan and talent to be a top 5 school, however, I expect them to end the season at 8 or 9.
Affies oh Affies. Unfortunately for their supporters, myself included, this could becom a long season for them. The world has seen their shortcomings and expect every time will face in 2023 to take advantage thereof. Six, definately not where they will end in 2023, expect 10-15 if we are honest with each other.
Outeniqua at 7 is a farce and if Ruggas.co.za did a thumbsuch rankings they would definately be in the top 3. Wildeklawer could see them storm into the top 5 or hover at 6-8 for the rest of the season.
At 8 Boland Landbou is good value for money and expect them to be a contender for a top 5 spot in 2023.
Hilton at 9, mmmm I was not that impressed with them and the loss gainst Jeppe showed exactly why.
Monnas at 10 is a major surprise. My preseason redictions was a top 5 position with ease. The losses against Welkom Gim and Jeppe did not do their rankings any favours and it will take a brilliant season to ragain a top 5 position. Can they do it? I think they can.
Other schools that had a good pre-season is (positions gained in brackets) Waterkloof (+15), Pretoria Boys High (+10), Durbanville (+17), Welkom Gim (+13), Secunda (+13), Eldoraigne (+33), Dale College (+13), Pearson (+17) and Heildeberg Volkies (+31).