School of Rugby’s Top Ten School Rugby Rivalries
I gave myself the tremendous task (but a very satisfying one) to compile a top ten list on which games I believe are the top rivalries in South African Schoolboy rugby back in 2011, I dusted it off a bit and updated the scores between the rivals. Before even starting with the list I knew I was opening a can of worms, but thought it would be an interesting talking point and get everyone up and excited about the coming season. I will also try to do more lists like these in future and post them on my website, https://rugby.supersportschools.com.
South Africa’s premier rugby school Grey College and Affies both made my list twice. I must make it clear that I weighed traditional matches with a rich tradition and history highly. For example the annual encounter between Kimberley heavyweights, Noord-Kaap and Diamantveld, has only gained interest countrywide the last couple of seasons with Diamonds and Northerns both making a name for themselves on the rugby field.
There are the matches which chose themselves and I think no one would have left them out of their top ten. They are the Paarl-derby, Grey College versus Paul Roos Gimnasium and Bishops versus Rondebosch Boys’ High. I would really like some feedback on my list positive or negative and on how you’re list would’ve looked and why?
So here are my top ten schools’ rugby rivalries in South Africa:
10. Affies vs. Waterkloof
Francois Tredoux of Waterkloof
The two top Pretoria-based rugby schools will meet each other for the first time on the rugby field since 2006. The main reason these two schools will play each other once again in 2012 is the fact that Waterkloof’s principal, Daan Potgieter was the vice-principal for 25 years at Affies before becoming a Klofie in 2011.
They played each other four times in 2006 with both teams winning twice. Affies won the last encounter 17-7 which was the final of the prestigious Beeld Trophy. Future provincial players like Francois Brümmer, Stefan Watermeyer, Wynand Willis, Marnus Schoeman (all Waterkloof), Gerhard van den Heever, Neil Jacobs, Gerrit-Jan van Velze, Cornell Hess and Frik Kirsten (all Affies) all played in that last match between the two schools.
The rivalry between the two teams is in tenth position because of the fact that the rivalry will only be revived in 2012. Hopefully no incidents will take place during the week prior to the match or on match day that will make one of the sides decide to cancel the fixture yet again.
The last 12 encounters between Affies and Waterkloof:
2013 Affies 19 Waterkloof 18
2012 Waterkloof 23 Affies 16
2006 Affies 17 Waterkloof 7
2006 Affies 18 Waterkloof 21
2006 Affies 28 Waterkloof 24
2006 Affies 20 Waterkloof 45
2005 Affies 12 Waterkloof 20
2005 Affies 29 Waterkloof 22
2004 Affies 26 Waterkloof 19
2003 Affies 16 Waterkloof 33
2003 Affies 6 Waterkloof 11
2002 Affies 19 Waterkloof 16
9. Wynberg Boys’ High vs. SACS
Photo Courtesy of SACSRUGBY.COM
SACS are the oldest school in South Africa, while Wynberg Boys’ High is the second oldest school in the country. Thus when these two sides lock horns it is a clash betweeen the two oldest schools in South Africa. SACS has produced 29 Springboks to date with Percy Montgomery being the latest. Wynberg Boys’ High won five of the last six games against SACS.
The last 14 matches between Wynberg Boys’ High and SACS:
2013 Wynberg Boys’ High 17 SACS 12
2013 Wynberg Boys’ High 15 SACS 7
2012 Wynberg Boys’ High 8 SACS 7
2012 Wynberg Boys’ High 26 SACS 16
2011 SACS 29 Wynberg Boys’ High 26
2011 Wynberg Boys’ High 17 SACS 5
2010 Wynberg Boys’ High 26 SACS 24
2010 Wynberg Boys’ High 22 SACS 11
2009 Wynberg Boys’ High 20 SACS 0
2009 Wynberg Boys’ High 32 SACS 20
2008 SACS 47 Wynberg Boys’ High 5
2008 SACS 11 Wynberg Boys’ High 9
2007 SACS 38 Wynberg Boys’ High 22
2007 SACS 19 Wynberg Boys’ High 13
8. King Edward VII vs. Jeppe Boys’ High
The clash in Johannesburg between King Edward VII and Jeppe Boys’ High is one of the oldest inter schools north of the Vaalriver. The first match between the two sides was played in 1935. King Edward won the clash 20-0. Although it is number seven on my list I had to think a lot about which game will occupy this eighth spot. Anyone of the unlucky rivalries I name underneath this story could have easily made the list in place of the Kes versus Jeppe FNB Classic Clash.
The last ten results between King Edward VII and Jeppe Boys’ High:
2013 Jeppe Boys’ High 15 King Edward VII 12
2012 Jeppe Boys’ High 28 King Edward VII 13
2011 King Edward VII 36 Jeppe Boys’ High 15
2010 Jeppe Boys’ High 17 King Edward VII 13
2009 King Edward VII 65 Jeppe Boys’ High 10
2008 King Edward VII 24 Jeppe Boys’ High 14
2007 King Edward VII 40 Jeppe Boys’ High 18
2006 King Edward VII 12 Jeppe Boys’ High 0
2005 King Edward VII 30 Jeppe Boys’ High 7
2004 King Edward VII 12 Jeppe Boys’ High 0
2003 King Edward VII 27 Jeppe Boys’ High 7
2002 Jeppe Boys’ High 20 King Edward VII 14
7. Glenwood vs. Maritzburg College
Siyabonga Tom of Glenwood
It was a difficult choice for me to make which rivalry between the KwaZulu-Natal powerhouses are the most worthy of being included in South Africa’s top ten. I decided on the clash between the rising powerhouse of Glenwood against the traditional powerhouse of KwaZulu-Natal, Maritzburg College.
Glenwood has formed the nucleus of KwaZulu-Natal’s side to the Coca-Cola Craven Week of recent years. The team from KwaZulu-Natal almost managed to reach the main match of the Craven Week for the first time since 1990 last year, but lost out to the Lions thanks to a last minute penalty from Jaco van der Walt. Maritzburg College under legendary Skonk Nicholson was one of the country’s top schools sides during the 1970′s and 1980′s.
The two side’s have met each other for the first time in 1921 with Glenwood running out victors 5-0. Maritzburg College’s biggest victory over Glenwood was in 1995 when they won 61-13 at home at Goldstones. Glenwood’s biggest victory of 47-10 came in 2008. The schools’ first XV’s have locked horns 159 times since the first time in 1921 of which Maritzburg College won 109 with 15 matches being drawn.
The last 14 encounters between Maritzburg College and Glenwood:
2013 Glenwood 33 Maritzburg College 15
2013 Glenwood 44 Maritzburg College 40
2012 Glenwood 27 Maritzburg College 27
2012 Glenwood 16 Maritzburg College 16
2011 Glenwood 31 Maritzburg College 10
2011 Glenwood 31 Maritzburg College 3
2010 Glenwood 20 Maritzburg College 13
2010 Maritzburg College 35 Glenwood 16
2009 Glenwood 31 Maritzburg College 0
2009 Glenwood 23 Maritzburg College 11
2008 Glenwood 15 Maritzburg College 7
2008 Glenwood 47 Maritzburg College 10
2007 Glenwood 19 Maritzburg College 12
2006 Glenwood 19 Maritzburg College 14
2006 Maritzburg College 24 Glenwood 0
6. Grey College vs. Affies
Luan de Bruin of Affies – Photo: St. John’s College
Grey College is without a doubt the main feeder to provincial unions for a couple of seasons now. It is with this reasoning that this FNB Classic Clash between them and Affies of Pretoria also makes this list. Affies is also the main feeder for the Blue Bulls and also produced Springbok players like Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies, Wynand Olivier and .
I was however reluctant initially to include this encounter on my list. Because Affies haven’t been beating Grey College on a regular basis since the two teams met each other for the first time in 1953. Affies can only boast about five victories in 1996, 2005, 2006, 2012 and in 2013. The encounter has however been boosted by the fact that Free State Cheetahs and Blue Bulls have been building a rivalry in the Currie Cup in the mid 2000′s. The Cheetahs is mostly made up of former Grey College pupils, while Affies as previously mentioned is mainly feeded by Affies. The match also became an FNB Classic Clash in 2010. Affies defeated Grey College the last two year and the team of 2014 will attempt to be the first to get three consecutive victories over the Bloemfontein based side.
The last 12 matches between Grey College and Affies:
2013 Affies 37 Grey College 31
2012 Affies 35 Grey College 29
2011 Grey College 16 Affies 11
2010 Grey College 23 Affies 6
2009 Grey College 30 Affies 13
2008 Grey College 31 Affies 12
2007 Grey College 47 Affies 10
2006 Affies 18 Grey College 13
2005 Affies 27 Grey College 20
2004 Grey College 32 Affies 29
2003 Grey College 33 Affies 3
2002 Grey College 46 Affies 21
5. Queen’s College vs. Dale College
Photo Courtesy of Queen’s College
Queen’s College and Dale College met each other for the first time on the rugby field in 1891, the same year South Africa played their first rugby test against the touring British. The teams began to face each other on an annual basis since 1926. The biggest victory in the derby came way back in 1927 when Dale College put 64 points past Queen’s College in Kings Williams Town without conceding any points. Queen’s College has won the most encounters by being on the winning side in 77 of the 166 matches played. Dale College secured their 73rd victory with their 7-3 victory last year.
The results of the last 15 matches between Queen’s College and Dale College:
2013 Queen’s College 23 Dale College 10
2013 Queen’s College 6 Dale College 0
2012 Queen’s College 28 Dale College 6
2012 Dale College 21 Queen’s College 18
2011 Dale College 38 Queen’s College 31
2011 Dale College 7 Queen’s College 3
2010 Queen’s College 27 Dale College 18
2010 Dale College 21 Queen’s College 8
2009 Queen’s College 17 Dale College 15
2008 Queen’s College 19 Dale College 15
2007 Queen’s College 16 Dale College 3
2007 Queen’s College 30 Dale College 15
2006 Queen’s College 20 Dale College 10
2006 Queen’s College 23 Dale College 13
2005 Queen’s College 23 Dale College 13
4. AHS Kroonstad vs. Kroonstad HS
Francois van Biljon of Rooiskool
It’s Red against Blue! This inter schools match between neighbors the Afrikaanse Hoërskool Kroonstad (Rooiskool) and Hoërskool Kroonstad (Blouskool) in Kroonstad is the biggest in the central region. Rooiskool has produced Springbok rugby players like Jan Schlebusch, Kulu Ferreira and Braam Els. Blouskool’s most recent Springbok is Michael Claassens.
Rooiskool has been the outstanding team in the Northern Free State for quite a while, but when these two teams meet each other in their annual FNB Classic Clash it seems that level the playing ground. Rooiskool didn’t reach the final of the Griffon-league for the first time in nine years last year. More than 7000 supporters attend the FNB Classic Clash between the two sides every year.
The last 11 results between Rooiskool and Blouskool:
2013 AHS Kroonstad 43 Kroonstad HS 16
2012 AHS Kroonstad 45 Kroonstad HS 0
2011 AHS Kroonstad 17 Kroonstad HS 13
2010 AHS Kroonstad 9 Kroonstad HS 0
2009 AHS Kroonstad 41 Kroonstad HS 29
2009 AHS Kroonstad 28 Kroonstad HS 8
2008 AHS Kroonstad 18 Kroonstad HS 9
2008 AHS Kroonstad 31 Kroonstad HS 10
2007 AHS Kroonstad 22 Kroonstad HS 12
2007 Kroonstad HS 16 AHS Kroonstad 14
2006 AHS Kroonstad 32 Kroonstad HS 14
3. Diocesan College vs. Rondebosch Boys’ High
Photo Courtesy of SA Schools Rugby Pix
The encounter is definitely played with the most picturesque backgrounds in South Africa with Table Mountain in the background. It is also fittingly that Diocesan College (Bishops) plays some of the most beautiful running rugby in the country annually. Rondebosch Boys’ High also plays an open style of rugby which makes this clash one of the most exciting matches to watch. The inter schools between these two Cape Town schools started in 1911.
The first match between the two schools was however played in 1908 with Bishops running rampant on that day winning the encounter 112-0 with Painton Cowen scoring 86 points in the match. Bishops have older rivalries against SACS, St. Andrew’s College and Paul Roos but it can’t compare against the rivalry they have against Rondebosch Boys’ High. The two schools are no more than half-a-kilometre apart from one another. The two sides play each other twice every year with one being a FNB Classic Clash.
Last 14 results between Diocesan College and Rondebosch Boys’ High since 2003:
2013 Rondebosch Boys’ High 22 Diocesan College 7
2013 Diocesan College 23 Rondebosch Boys’ High 11
2012 Rondebosch Boys’ High 19 Diocesan College 11
2012 Diocesan College 15 Rondebosch Boys’ High 3
2011 Diocesan College 37 Rondebosch Boys’ High 12
2011 Rondebosch Boys’ High 34 Diocesan College 18
2010 Diocesan College 38 Rondebosch Boys’ High 10
2010 Diocesan College 19 Rondebosch Boys’ High 19
2009 Diocesan College 10 Rondebosch Boys’ High 6
2009 Diocesan College 10 Rondebosch Boys’ High 16
2008 Diocesan College 47 Rondebosch Boys’ High 15
2008 Diocesan College 20 Rondebosch Boys’ High 8
2007 Diocesan College 27 Rondebosch Boys’ High 24
2007 Diocesan College 48 Rondebosch Boys’ High 27
2. Grey College vs. Paul Roos Gimnasium
Arrie Vosloo of Grey College
It is said in Bloemfontein that Paul Roos Gimnasium could lose all their matches in a season, but if they are victorious in the last encounter of the season against Grey College the team from Stellenbosch has had a season to brag about. Paul Roos Gimnasium has been the only school to defeat South Africa’s premier rugby school, Grey College on a regular basis.
The Bloemfontein-based side’s last defeat at home was in 2006 against Paul Roos Gimnasium. Since this defeat Grey College has suffered only one other defeat overall also against Paul Roos Gimnasium (3-9) in Stellenbosch in 2009. Paul Roos definitely has a knack in beating Grey College. It must be mentioned that Grey College has been playing without some of their South African Schools’ players in some of the matches between the two sides.
The results of the last 12 encounters between Paul Roos Gimnasium and Grey College are:
2013 Grey College 40 Paul Roos Gimnasium 8
2012 Grey College 33 Paul Roos Gimnasium 23
2011 Grey College 36 Paul Roos Gimnasium 35
2010 Grey College 41 Paul Roos Gimnasium 29
2009 Paul Roos Gimnasium 9 Grey College 3
2008 Grey College 47 Paul Roos Gimnasium 15
2007 Grey College 40 Paul Roos Gimnasium 14
2006 Paul Roos Gimnasium 16 Grey College 11
2005 Grey College 16 Paul Roos Gimnasium 11
2004 Paul Roos Gimnasium 21 Grey College 18
2004 Grey College 24 Paul Roos Gimnasium 23
2003 Grey College 18 Paul Roos Gimnasium 17
1. Paarl Boys’ High vs. Paarl Gimnasium
Johan van Zyl of Paarl Gimnasium
This inter schools clash of the Paarl at Fauré Street Stadium is the biggest in South Africa or in the world for that matter. It attracts more than 15 000 spectators annually. You’re either a Galpil (Paarl Boys’ High) or a Bloedwors (Paarl Gimnasium). These two sides has been fighting it out on the rugby field since 1915.
Paarl Gimnasium is the dominant side the last couple of years if you can call it like that. Boishaai have won only twice in 2003 and 2009 during the last ten years at Faure Street. The match has a huge build-up with the parents of the first XV’s capping the players in front of the school the day before the big match.
Last 12 encounters between Paarl Boys’ High and Paarl Gimnasium:
2013 Paarl Gimnasium 37 Paarl Boys’ High 26
2012 Paarl Gimnasium 16 Paarl Boys’ High 9
2011 Paarl Gimnasium 22 Paarl Boys’ High 19
2010 Paarl Gimnasium 19 Paarl Boys’ High 19
2009 Paarl Boys’ High 24 Paarl Gimnasium 12
2008 Paarl Gimnasium 35 Paarl Boys’ High 8
2007 Paarl Gimnasium 10 Paarl Boys’ High 0
2006 Paarl Gimnasium 23 Paarl Boys’ High 17
2005 Paarl Gimnasium 22 Paarl Boys’ High 10
2004 Paarl Gimnasium 13 Paarl Boys’ High 3
2003 Paarl Boys’ High 25 Paarl Gimnasium 6
2002 Paarl Gimnasium 15 Paarl Boys’ High 0
*School Rugby Rivalries which are unlucky not to have made this list are: Noord-Kaap vs. Diamantveld; Marlow Landbou vs. Oakdale Landbou; Voortrekker vs. Witteberg; Boland Landbou vs. Oakdale Landbou; Affies vs. Pretoria Boys’ High; Glenwood vs. Durban High School; Maritzburg College vs. Durban High School; St. Andrew’s College vs. Diocesan College; Queen’s College vs. Selborne College.
Photos by Marnus Prinsloo unless mentioned by otherwis
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