Paarl Boys’ High, St Andrew’s College and EG Jansen claimed victories on a quietish weekend for South African schools rugby. THEO GARRUN reports.
Transvalia of Vanderbijl Park have been a revelation in Gauteng this season. They have beaten Helpmekaar, and most recently Monument, and they beat EG Jansen 82-14 in the Tuks Series a month ago. They were therefore expected to coast home in Saturday’s Virseker Cup clash, but EG Jansen were shock winners by a surprisingly comfortable margin – 43-24.
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St Andrew’s College turned around a 16-7 half-time deficit to beat Grey High 24-16 and became the top dogs in the Eastern Province area; while Boishaai got back on the winning track following their losses to Grey College and Paul Roos by edging Bishops out 14-13 in a mudbath in Paarl.
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Up north, Monument bounced back from their defeat last week to Transvalia by beating Nelspruit 24-20; Jeppe remained the form team among the English schools, beating Pretoria Boys’ High 36-12; and KES won the Houghton derby, 35-6 over St John’s. Menlo Park beat Waterkloof 17-15 in a Pretoria West derby clash.
The KwaZulu-Natal Midlands derbies went to Hilton College and Maritzburg College, who beat Kearsney and Michaelhouse 24-19 and 27-23 respectively.
In the Western Cape, Paarl Gimnasium were too strong for Wynberg, winning 29-6, while Paul Roos Gimnasium’s dream season continued with a 43-21 win over Oakdale.
Next Saturday sees three big derby clashes in the Western Cape. Paarl Boys’ meet Boland Landbou, Wynberg host SACS and, in Cape Town’s oldest and most-anticipated annual fixture, Rondebosch make the short trip across to their neighbours Bishops.
EG Jansen have an opportunity to show that their success last weekend was not a flash in the pan when they meet Helpmekaar in the Virseker Cup and St Stithians host Pretoria Boys’.
In Durban, Westville host the improving Maritzburg College, who will be looking to build on their confidence ahead of their big clash on 16 June against Glenwood.
