Stellenberg and Garsfontein Secure Historic Upsets Over Schoolboy Giants at North-South Tournament

Stellenberg upsets Grey College and Garsfontein defeats Paarl Boys in a historic second round of the 2026 North-South schoolboy rugby tournament.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 1, 2026, 9:05 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Rugby365

The Jade Brigade’s Historic Triumph

In a dramatic conclusion to the five day event hosted at Affies, Stellenberg High School etched their name into the history books with a 26-21 victory over the perennial juggernauts of Grey College. Despite a lengthy delay caused by a failure in the stadium lighting, the "Jade Brigade" maintained their focus to overpower the Bloemfontein side with a physical and disciplined performance. This victory follows Stellenberg's earlier win against Paarl Gim this month, confirming that the northern suburbs side is no longer merely a contender but a dominant force in the 1st XV landscape.

Garsfontein Shakes the National Rankings

Garsfontein delivered perhaps the most significant shock of the season by defeating Paarl Boys High 31-28. Entering the tournament as the leading team from 2025, "Boishaai" was expected to maintain their momentum after an initial win against Jeppe. However, Garsies outplayed the Paarl heavyweights for the majority of the match, surviving a late spirited fightback to secure a win that has reverberated across the schoolboy rugby scene. Analysts suggest these results indicate a closing gap between traditional "top five" schools and emerging professionalized programs.

Paul Roos Emerges as the Team to Beat

Amidst a flurry of upsets, Paul Roos Gymnasium remains the only elite side in the country yet to taste defeat this season. The Stellenbosch outfit followed a narrow win over Monument with an emphatic 45-14 dismantling of Pretoria Boys High. While other heavyweights like Affies, Grey, and the Paarl schools have all dropped matches, Paul Roos’s clinical execution has positioned them as the current frontrunners for the number one national ranking.