(Photo Credit: Paul Parsons/Speedshots.co.za)
A brilliant weekend of schoolboy rugby with St John's draw against KES showcasing why schoolboy rugby is preferred by many over professional rugby, passion and commitment. Then some "shocks" and mostly results that were expected. Brilliant weekend.
New Zealand:
5 of the top 7 competition well on their way with Wellington's qualifications done and dusted.
Auckland Premier 1A - Only three unbeaten teams left with Auckland Grammar 19-15 win against King's College one of the highlights in New Zealand. St Kentigerns again showed brilliant form when they hosted Dilworth and won 64-5. St Peter's College struggled to overcome Aorere College (17-11) and showed some glimpses of their team of 2018. This must be one of the most brutal competitions in New Zealand with four teams ranked in the Top 5.
Crusaders - Only two unbeaten teams left with Christ's College's massive win against Mid Canterbury (69-3) and St Andrew's win against Waimea Combined (58-3) a clear warning to other schools in this competition. Somewhat surprising was the massive loss that Christchurch suffered against St Thomas (12-40) with these two schools currently 3rd and 4th in this competition.
Central North Islands - St Peter's Cambridge, St Paul's and Feilding High were the top schools in 2018 all had some good wins in the first round.
North Harbour 1A - Westlake BHS the only unbeaten team after 3 rounds with a massive win against Massey High School (67-5)
Otago - Otago BHS, Kings High and new entrant Southland BHS all scoring massive wins this weekend.
South Africa:
With the number 1 and number 2 spot in the ruggas.co.za rankings seemingly decided as Grey College coasted to an easy win against Affies and Paarl Gim showed to all who doubted them that they are a definite number two after their win against Paul Roos at the Markotter.
Central Region - Yes and Affies travelled to Bloemfontein and were sent home with only winning 9 from 27 games played with 1 draw. Affies 1stXvV were simply not good enough and lost 28-50 in a game where Grey College won in the first half already. Diamantveld continued their good form beating Voortrekker Bethlehem 53-36 while Noord Kaap's famous beating of Helpmekaar is long gone and they lost, again, this time Duineveld was too good and won 33-26.
Eastern Cape - Grey High was first out of the blocks beating Graeme College 73-12 on Friday followed by St Andrew's maybe needing to rethink their matches against Cambridge with their 1stXV winning 93-00. Hudson Park "surprised" beating Queen's College 29-20.
KwaZulu Natal - Glenwood is back it seems as the scored a proper win against Kearsney (52-15) with Hilton beating a very confident Westville (25-22) while Northwood won 20-13 against Michaelhouse confirming their rating as the number three in KwaZulu Natal.
NoordVaal - The biggest upset must be the draw between St John's and KES with KES ranked at #10 before this game. Jeppe and St Stithians scored a massive 103 points in only 70 minutes in a win for Jeppe with 54-49, not good, not good at all. Pretoria Boys High "struggle" may not be over yet but they are on their way back after a brilliant win against St Alban's (43-3).
VirSeker Cup: Waterkloof's honeymoon is over after their win against Monnas and none of the guts and glory was visible in their loss against Menlopark (21-55) at home. Monnas had to work very hard in the second half but managed to win with 32-29 while Helpmekaar showed a lot of grit in beating EG Jansen 48-37. Transvalia's nightmare is continuing with Middelburg HTS sending them back home after a 55-21 hiding.
VirSeker Plate: Nelspruit showing some good form against Marais Viljoen (33-28) with Eldoraigne's win of 36-12 against Zwartkop "expected", however, Kempton Park's win of 50-31 against Ben Vorster has made everybody else take notice.
Vir Seker Shield: Middelburg great form is continuing beating Oos Moot 46-32 in an "exciting" match. Two of the four games in this competition ended up with a draw with Centurion 38-38 Hugenote (Springs) and Heidelberg Volkies 25-25 Florida the "guilty parties". Lichtenburg won 48-26 against Jeaugland.
Western Cape - Paarl Gim cost a lot of people money as they convincingly dismissed Paul Roos challenge (42-15) while Rondebosch showed why are they ranked #7 as the won against SACS (27-08). Outeniqua and Oakdale were in a fierce battle with Outeniqua limping off the field as winners with 23-17. Parel Vallei still struggling to adapt to the challenges in their first year in the Premier B division and lost 3-19 against Strand. Wynberg and Bishops in a 100 pointer with Wynberg the fittest to win with 60-40, while Brackenfell beating Milnerton 22-19 and slowly regaining form in 2019.
A lot of rugby leaving supporters exhausted but still craving for more.