The Ruggas.co.za 1stXV rankings have been on everybody's lips, and if you support a school in the Paarl, it was also the reason for a condition known as "gietergat", as the supporters do believe they are the best in everything in South Africa.
I could spend the next 5000 words explaining the rankings, however, I will make it simple. If Paul Roos beats Paarl Gim by fifteen or more points, they will regain the place at the top, and if Paarl Gim beats Paul Roos by just one point, they will claim the number one spot they lost to Paul Roos in 2024.
Unfortunately for Paarl Boishaai beat Grey College, they will remain a three, and Grey College will remain at three or drop to fourth.
With some "nasty" weather predicted for the Western Cape, a win for Paul Roos by fifteen or more points will be a bit of wishful thinking.
Paarl Gim is unbeaten in 2025, however, they failed to beat Rondebosch and Affies, while Paul Roos lost to Affies (18-20) at Wildeklawer.
Both sides are brimming with talent and coached by rugby royalty in South Africa, and only the village idiot will attempt to predict the outcome. So let me try.
Paul Roos has shown against Noordheuwel and Garsfontein that they know how to win a game; however, against Affies, they did lose after being in control for most of the first half. The constant pressure of Affies on the defence and their hard running at the defence proved recently to be the downfall of the other title contenders. Paarl Gim is not Affies and will bring different challenges to the match. Maybe the same challenges that Noordheuwel and Garsfontein brought, which Paul Roos absorbed and won.
Paarl Gim had the more famous wins. They beat KES 102-00, Monnas 66-16, and Grey College 43-31; however, the only time they were tested in the wet, they drew against Affies in wet conditions, and it is going to be wet, very wet.
Who is the favourite? I am an idiot, but hopefully not the village idiot?
A few kilometres to the north, Paarl Boishaai will host the vulnerable Grey College to build their challenge on the number 1 spot.
To call Grey College "vulnerable" is not often heard, however, this is not the best Grey College 1stXV in the past few years. Many supporters judge Grey College's chances tomorrow on the quality of the players who will represent Grey. However, if you want to beat Grey, you must be twenty points or more better than Grey College, as they do not know how to lose.
Boishaai, on the other hand, has a powerful pack combined with a brilliant backline. Sean Erasmus has surprised many with their "new" game plan, which is extremely difficult to predict. And that may well see them ending 2025 as the best 1stXV in South Africa.
Add to that the expected wet conditions, and the scoreline will be small, and that may result in a "surprise" win for Grey College.