The 2024 South African schoolboy rugby season has been a breathtaking display of skill, determination, and historic moments, with Paul Roos Gymnasium dominating the scene. After 30 rounds of intense rugby, the top 25 schools have been ranked, with Paul Roos claiming the top spot following a flawless season that will be remembered for years to come.
Paul Roos Gymnasium: The Unstoppable Force
Paul Roos Gymnasium’s 2024 campaign was nothing short of extraordinary. They ended the season unbeaten, with a streak of 15 consecutive victories. Their consistency and dominance on the field were epitomized by their emphatic 38-7 victory over Grey College in the season's final match. This triumph not only secured their position as the top-ranked school in South Africa but also underscored their superiority over a traditionally strong Grey College team. Throughout the season, Paul Roos displayed exceptional teamwork, skill, and a relentless drive that left their opponents trailing.
Historic Upset: Jeppe's Victory Over Grey College
One of the most remarkable moments of the season was Jeppe Boys’ High School’s stunning victory over Grey College at the NMI Toyota Noord/Suid tournament. This 22-19 win was Jeppe's first-ever triumph over Grey College, making it a historic achievement for the Johannesburg-based school. The last encounter between these two teams was in 1987, with Grey College winning 17-6. Jeppe’s victory in 2024 was a significant upset, showcasing their growth and determination throughout the season.
The Battle of Paarl: A Fierce Rivalry
The competition among the top schools was fierce, particularly between Paarl Gimnasium and Paarl Boys' High, who consistently pushed each other throughout the season. Both schools had exceptional seasons, with each match between them being highly anticipated and closely contested. These encounters added to the drama of the season, keeping fans on the edge of their seats as they witnessed some of the best schoolboy rugby the country has to offer.
DHS: Kings of KwaZulu-Natal
Durban High School (DHS) had one of their most successful seasons in history, going unbeaten in KwaZulu-Natal and being crowned the KZN champions. This achievement is a significant milestone for DHS, reflecting their hard work and resurgence as a rugby powerhouse. Their performances have set a new standard for the school and established them as a formidable force in South African schoolboy rugby.
The MHS vs. Hilton Derby: A Rivalry for the Ages
The rivalry between Michaelhouse and Hilton College is one of the most storied in South African schoolboy rugby, and the 2024 season added another thrilling chapter to this saga. Both matches between these two schools were decided by the slimmest of margins. Hilton College snatched a dramatic 26-25 victory in the first encounter, thanks to a last-minute try by winger Sebastian Gaboreau. However, Michaelhouse responded in the second match, edging out Hilton 24-23. These nail-biting finishes left spectators in awe and highlighted the intense competition and pride at stake in these derbies.
The Best in Each Province
The 2024 season highlighted the best rugby schools from each province, showcasing the depth of talent across South Africa:
Western Province (WP): Paul Roos Gymnasium (Rank 1, 93.5 points)
Free State (FS): Grey College (Rank 2, 93.4 points)
Bulls (BUL): Affies (Rank 3, 91.7 points)
Lions (LIO): Jeppe Boys’ High School (Rank 4, 86.0 points)
KwaZulu-Natal (KZN): Durban High School (Rank 5, 85.4 points)
South Western Districts (SWD): Oakdale (Rank 6, 84.8 points)
Valke (VAL): EG Jansen (Rank 7, 83.8 points)
Griquas (GRF): Welkom Gim (Rank 8, 78.6 points)
Eastern Province (EP): Grey High School (Rank 9, 77.7 points)
Pumas (PUM): Nelspruit (Rank 10, 77.3 points)
Leopards (LEO): Rustenburg (Rank 11, 76.5 points)
Border (BOR): Selborne College (Rank 12, 75.7 points)
Boland (BOL): Drostdy (Rank 13, 72.6 points)
Griquas (GRQ): Diamantveld (Rank 14, 71.2 points)
Limpopo (LIM): Ben Vorster (Rank 15, 64.7 points)
The Narrowing Gap in South African Schoolboy Rugby
As the 2024 season has shown, the gap between the traditionally dominant Western Cape schools and the rest of South Africa is narrowing. Schools from various regions are rising to the challenge, as seen with Jeppe’s historic win over Grey College and DHS’s unbeaten run in KZN. This growing competitiveness is a promising sign for the future of South African schoolboy rugby, where excellence is no longer confined to a few select schools but is spread across the country.
Conclusion
The 2024 schoolboy rugby season will be remembered as one of the most exciting in recent history. Paul Roos Gymnasium’s unbeaten run, Jeppe’s historic upset, and the fierce battles among the top teams have made this season a landmark in South African rugby. With the narrowing gap between traditional powerhouses and emerging schools, the future of schoolboy rugby in South Africa looks brighter and more competitive than ever before.
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