To increase the intensity of fights on Saturday at the braai we decided to abuse statistics to answer often-asked questions regarding the Ruggas.co.za 1stXV rankings. Who are the performing schools and who are falling behind?
The Ruggas.co.za 1stXV rankings and the other rankings are often criticised for not reflecting the "true" performances of the teams as we compare the positions of the teams on the rankings. However, the difference in the ranking points at the beginning of the year and today gives a more credible interpretation of a team's performance in 2023.
The Ruggas.co.za rankings are based on the World Rugby Rankings and who you play is sometimes more important than a win. Therefore our rankings must be seen as a reflection of your school's performance for the whole year and more important their performance in relation to 2022.
The Top 200 gets more difficult to get results from the schools and therefore some schools suddenly start sending their results if they have a "good" year and then they disappear when the season is not that "good"
However, as mentioned in the opening paragraph, take all rankings as an opening argument to start a fight on Saturday evening. The most important of schoolboy rugby is just that, schoolboys having fun.
Top 20
Top Movers
1) Waterkloof +3,694
2) Michaelhouse +3,205
3) Garsfontein +3,095
4) Boland Landbou +2,623
5) Maritzburg College +2,478
Top Shakers
1) Rondebosch -5,574
2) Monnas -4,250
3) Oakdale -3,731
4) Paarl Boishaai -3,419
5) Affies -2,608
Top 50 (Excluding top 20)
Movers
1) Heidelberg Volkies +6,148
2) Welkom Gim +5,967
3) Durbanville +5,449
4) Eldoraigne +5,418
5) Transvalia +3,822
Shakers
1) Framesby -10,264
2) Selborne College -6,130
3) Glenwood -4,812
4) Drostdy HTS -4,358
5) Menlopark -3,591
Top 100 (Excluding Top 100)
Movers
1) Fichardt Park +7,979
2) Landboudal +6,690
3) Strand +3,180
4) Worcester Gim + 3,063
5) Jeugland +2,948
Shakers
1) Nelspruit -10,798
2) Middelburg HTS -7,834
3) Klerksdorp -7,771
4) Brandwag Uitenhage -7,728
5) Montana Bulls -6,603
Top 200 (Excluding Top 100)
Movers
Graaff Reinet Volkies +16,211
Curro Nelspruit +8,946
Hentie Cilliers +8,075
Hans Moore +7,718
Bredasdorp + 6,669
Shakers
1) Florida -9,701
2) Sentraal -9,195
3) Tygerberg -7,911
4) Despatch -7,727
5) Frikke Meyer -7,386