The 2026 South African schoolboy rugby season has already delivered intense competition, with a shake-up in the unofficial rankings of top schools in the country.
School rugby remains a cornerstone of South African rugby history, culture, and tradition.
Thousands of passionate supporters regularly fill the stands at leading rugby institutions such as Paarl Gimnasium, Paul Roos Gymnasium, Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies), Grey College (Bloemfontein), and Grey High School – to name just a handful.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at how South Africa’s rugby schools’ First XV’s have fared so far this season.
SURPRISE LEADERS EMERGE
Stellenberg have won five of their first six First XV matches this season, climbing to the top of the most recent SA School Sports rankings.
This meteoric rise may come as a surprise to some, but those in the know will confirm that the Bellville-based school has quietly been developing enviable depth over the past few seasons.
Paarl Gimnasium (2nd), Paul Roos Gymnasium (3rd), and Grey College (4th) follow closely behind.
Notably, the race at the top remains extremely tight, with roughly two points separating first and fourth place.
Stellenberg currently sit on 20.983 ranking points, while Grey College have 18.929.
It is important to note, however, that these schools have faced different levels of opposition and have played a varying number of fixtures.
Hilton College, for example, remain undefeated after winning their opening four matches.
Meanwhile, Affies have played eight matches, winning four and losing four.
The season is still young, with plenty of changes no doubt in the weeks ahead.
NOTE: These rankings are in no way, shape or form ‘official’.
ALSO READ: SPRINGBOKS EXODUS: FULL LIST OF BOKS WHO HAVE LEFT SA TO JOIN NEW CLUBS
SA SCHOOLS FIRST XV RANKINGS
| Rank | School | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points |
| 1 | Stellenberg | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 20.983 |
| 2 | Paarl Gim | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 20.967 |
| 3 | Paul Roos | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 19.783 |
| 4 | Grey College | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 18.929 |
| 5 | Garsfontein | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 18.660 |
| 6 | Maritzburg College | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 18.000 |
| 7 | Hilton College | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 17.925 |
| 8 | Outeniqua | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 17.900 |
| 9 | Paarl Boys High | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 17.880 |
| 10 | Michaelhouse | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 17.840 |
| 11 | DHS | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 17.614 |
| 12 | Westville | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 17.600 |
| 13 | Northwood | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 17.283 |
| 14 | Affies | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 17.013 |
| 15 | Oakdale | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 16.650 |
| 16 | Rondebosch | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 16.300 |
| 17 | Monument | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 16.150 |
| 18 | Helpmekaar | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 15.817 |
| 19 | Waterkloof | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 15.743 |
| 20 | Jeppe | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 15.350 |
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