Updated SA Schools First XV rugby rankings: Top 20
· The South African
SA schools First XV action returned this past weekend, with several results leading to noteworthy changes in the latest Top 20 rankings.
While the top three remain unchanged, there has been significant movement elsewhere in the standings, both inside the top 10 as well as the the rest of the top 20 following another thrilling round of schoolboy rugby.
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Disclaimer: Note these are not official rankings and are based on the SA School Sports rankings website based on games played this season.
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PAARL GIM CONTINUE TO LEAD THE WAY
Paarl Gimnasium tightened their grip on top spot in the SA Schools First XV rankings after increasing their rating to 21.764 points following a convincing 52-24 victory over Rondebosch.
The Western Cape powerhouse remains the benchmark in South African schoolboy rugby.
However, there is little room for complacency with several traditional giants still breathing down their necks.
Stellenberg continue to punch above their weight after securing a ninth consecutive home victory to preserve their unbeaten home record this season.
They remain second after edging a courageous Outeniqua side 26-21.
Meanwhile, fellow Western Cape heavyweights Paul Roos retained third place after sealing a dramatic 38-34 away victory over SACS, scoring the match-winning try with the final play of the game.
As a result, the Western Cape still boasts South Africa’s three highest-ranked First XV sides.
Although the top three remain unchanged, there was plenty of movement immediately below them.
PAARL BOYS MAKE THEIR MOVE
The biggest change inside the top 10 sees Paarl Boys’ High leapfrog both Garsfontein and Grey College to climb from sixth to fourth.
They earned that rise after dismantling Durbanville 56-7.
Consequently, Garsfontein slip to fifth, while Grey College drop to sixth despite crushing Harrow 94-0.
Affies remain seventh following a convincing 40-12 victory over Maritzburg College.
Monument also held onto eighth after defeating Middelburg 68-35 in a high-scoring encounter.
Meanwhile, Northwood climb one place to ninth after brushing aside Glenwood 82-23. As a result, Hilton College slip one position to complete this week’s top 10.
CHANGES THROUGHOUT THE TOP 20
Westville climb one place to 11th after moving ahead of Maritzburg College.
Meanwhile, DHS rise two places from 14th to 12th, despite being held to a 21-21 draw by Jeppe.
Maritzburg College consequently fall two positions to 13th.
Outeniqua continue their steady rise, climbing two places to 14th after pushing Stellenberg all the way in a narrow five-point defeat. Rondebosch remain 15th.
Oakdale suffered the biggest drop inside the top 20 after losing 31-24 to HTS Drostdy, falling three places from 13th to 16th.
Michaelhouse remain 17th.
Further down, Wynberg return to the top 20 in 18th place. Graeme College climb to 19th, while Waterkloof drop from 18th to 20th as they round out the top 20.
Grey High School are the side to fall out of this week’s Top 20 altogether.
RankTeamPts1PAARL GIM21.7642STELLENBERG20.6133PAUL ROOS GYM20.0004PAARL BOYS HIGH19.5085GARSFONTEIN19.4386GREY COLLEGE19.3507AFFIES19.1218MONUMENT17.6009NORTHWOOD17.50710HILTON COLLEGE17.27711WESTVILLE17.09412DHS16.92313MARITZBURG COLLEGE16.91414OUTENIQUA16.86715RONDEBOSCH16.74316OAKDALE16.72517MICHAELHOUSE16.60718WYNBERG15.54519GRAEME COLLEGE15.48720WATERKLOOF15.460WHICH SA SCHOOLS FIRST XV TEAM DO YOU THINK WILL FINISH TOP OF THE RANKINGS COME THE END OF THE SCHOOL RUGBY SEASON?
Give us your prediction in the comments below …