In a weekend with not many surprises but great action one has to sit back and be grateful to be part of schoolboy rugby. Grey College, Paul Roos and Paarl Gymnasium have confirmed their status as the top three in South Africa while St Kentigerns are showing the form of a team that could end as the number 1 in New Zealand.
South Africa
Central - With the king visiting the Eastern Cape Welkom Gim stole the limelight when they scored a massive win against Voortrekker Bethlehem (93-20) with Goudveld returning to winning ways against Kroonstad AHS (53-10). Hentie Cilliers' horrible season continued with their third loss from four games against Witteberg (17-52).
Eastern Cape - Brandwag continued their great season with a very close win against Marlow (18-17) while Dale spoiled Queen's College's ReUnion festivities with a win against Queen's College (32-6). Daniël Pienaar's season is going from bad to worse after a massive loss against Framesby (14-64).
Grey High gave Paul Roos the scare of their life and although the lost the game (18-24) they did show the belly of the monster to anyone who cared to watch. Nico Malan was down 5-24 at halftime and managed to claw their way back to win 36-29 against Langenhoven Gym in an exciting second half.
Selborne College also lost 8-17 against the mighty Grey College but again showed to anybody interested that Grey College can be beaten. St Andrew's kept their hope alive to end the season unbeaten when they left the Kingswood festival unbeaten after beating Kearsney (22-7) and Hilton (43-27)
KwaZulu Natal - DHS's season is really going down the drain with Northwood beating them (19-34). DHS only won one game from five and it is only going to get worse at Kearsney. Glenwood lost their first game this season against Monnas (11-48) while Pionier was crowned champions after their convincing win against Leeuwenhof (41-12) in the NWU-Pukke 16 final. Westville hosted Jeppe and send the Johannesburg boys back home with a lot to think about. Westville winning 27-17.
Noordvaal - Ben Vorster threatened to cause the biggest upset of the season but Menlopark who hard to work hard for their win, declined them the victory (30-44). Garsfontein turned on the afterburners with 15 minutes to go blowing Waterkloof off the field in the process (52-16) while Middelburg HTS had to work hard to beat Nelspruit (32-30) at home.
A new champion in NWU Prestige Series will be crowned after Middelburg beat Lichtenburg (40-34) to qualify for the semis against Noordheuwel with Wesvalia and Jeugland to play in the other semifinal. Hans Moore was crowned the NWU Sport Series champions after a good win against Florida (19-14)
KES once again won 58-26 against Parktown Boys High readying themselves for Dale and Westville at the KES festival this coming weekend. Pretoria Boys High again showed signs of a recovery on the way after hosting Maritzburg College and only lost 15-20 against a team that also just lost against Glenwood a week ago.
Western Cape - Bishops had an easy enough win against Bellville (48-20) while Rondebosch won their first game against a "Top 4" since 2011 when they send Boland Landbou back home with a loss (26-36). Oakdale was too strong for Durbanville (28-14) while Stellenberg claimed yet another Premier "A" scalp when the beat Wynberg 07-06.
And then Paarl Gym team destroying Affies in the second half. The half time score was 21-19 but then Paarl Gim outplayed Affies in the second half keeping the boys from Pretoria to score one single point to win 46-19.
New Zealand
Most of the schools still preparing for the official season and still making some changes to get to their best combinations on the field. St Kentigerns had a good win (22-12) against Hastings BHS while Napier won (24-22) against Westlake in their first game after touring South Africa. King's College also showing some good form after beating Otago BHS 34-25.