With the 2022 season officially over and the final mens rankings done and dusted we are now able to release our annual All Time Top 50 rugby Programs rankings.
Our rankings are based on specific measurements and are a living document, there will be changes as we get more information.
To view our rankings methodology please click here
To view last years rankings which will be updated at the end of the week please click here
10. Kings Parramatta (Australia)
Kings managed to add to their overall tally through Hadley Tongs and Teddy Wilson both being awarded higher honours for the Australian Under 18 and Under 20 teams respectively.
The school can boast 57 Under 18 internationals produced and 28 Wallabies to showcase their pedigree and are consistent achievers at AAGPS level.
9. Bishops (South Africa)
As prestigious a historical program as you are likely to see Bishops continue to play the same running rugby they have since their inception. This year a total of 4 Bishops old boys namely Sacha Mngomezulu, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Imad Khan and Connor Evans all represented the Baby Boks at the successful summer series in Italy which the team finished unbeaten.
Bruce Sherwood was their sole SA Schools rep this year but far more would have been added had the class of 2020 had their chance to shine.
Over 40 Springboks have once walked the halls of Bishops and judging by the junior ranks we see no reason why this should not continue.
8. Paarl Gim (South Africa)
Gimmies managed to claim the South African unofficial 1st XV championship this year and at the start of the season few would have bet against this happening.
This years team was stacked on paper, some unfortunate injuries to key players however curtailed their season somewhat and 3 losses including a Paarl derby loss was not anticipated.
The school managed to produce senior, Under 20 and Under 18 internationals with Grant Williams (Springbok), Blokkies Lavagna, Louw Nel (Under 20, Janeil Losper and Luca Bakkes (Under 18) all repping Gim with pride.
7. Auckland Grammar (New Zealand)
Grammar remain the leading producer of All Black internationals and one of the most historically dominant rugby schools in New Zealand.
Top of the all time winners chart for the Auckland A1 competition and founded by George Grey who founded both Grey High and Grey College no points were added this year resulting in a slip by one position. Other schools have seem to have caught up to the rugby giants in recent times and if something is not done soon one fears that there may be a real danger this giant of school rugby could slip out of the Top 10 in the near future.
6. Paul Roos (South Africa)
We go from the leading producer of All Blacks straight onto the leading producer of Springboks in Paul Roos gymnasium. A heavyweight of schools rugby that continues to churn out talent year after year Paul Roos added a further 10 points to their score this year with the production of one Junior Bok in Corne Weilbach as well as two South African Under 18 internationals in burly prop Reno Hirst and social media sensation Jurenzo Julius.
5. Nudgee College (Australia)
Another successful year for the GPS powerhouse with a shared title win resulting in them consolidating their position at the top of the all time table.
They managed to add a total of 22 points to their overall tally resulting in them entering the top 5. They secured points for the GPS title season as well as through the Wallaby debut of Matt Gibbon and Under 20 debuts of Daniel Maiava and Titi Nofoagatotoa.
4. Christchurch Boys (New Zealand)
The top ranked New Zealand team on our list, Christchurch Boys have an incredible list of alumni including Andrew Merthens, Dan Carter and more recently Anton Lienart-Brown, Will Jordan, Brodie Rettalick and Luke Romano.
Only 8 points were added to their overall tally with former Under 18 internationals Fabian Holland and Jamie Hannah making the transition to Under 20 level.
3. Blackrock College (Ireland)
One of the most famous names in school rugby, Blackrock College are an Irish juggernaut with the school being a key contributor to both Irish and Leinster rugby.
Blackrock were among the top points earners this year with a whopping 55.4 added through their win in the Leinster Schools Senior Cup as well as producing 2 senior internationals, 5 under 20 internationals (who were part of the victorious Under 20 squad) and 4 Under 18 internationals.
They are certainly chasing down our second placed school – St Josephs, Hunters Hill.
2. St Josephs, Hunters Hill
Over 100 Under 18 internationals produced, as well as almost 50 Wallabies there is zero doubt that St Josephs deserve their place among the top schools of all time.
Only 19.8 points were added overall to their score and with Blackrock chasing them down it will certainly be interesting to see if they maintain their position among the top 2.
Points were awarded through their AAGPS win, a competition they have historically dominated and through Ben Dowling representing the Under 20 team and 4 more Under 18 internationals added to their already long list.
1. Grey College (South Africa)
Sitting far atop this pyramid, Grey College are a rugby institution and their dominant winning record of 91% throughout their history speaks volumes of just how incredible this program truly is. It is not just their rugby playing style but also the incredible culture that the school has that has earned them respect globally and potentially painted a target on their back when playing other schools.
They are the leading producers of Under 18 and Under 20 internationals globally and place third in senior internationals produced but their status as unofficial champions more than all other teams combined is what cements their status.
They were ranked second in the country behind Paarl Gim this year but still managed to earn points through Juann Else and Merwe Olivier’s selection to the Under 20 team and 4 Under 18 international caps awarded to Alfondso Isaacs, Lukas Meyer, JF van Heerden and Casper Badenhorst.
