With the end of the Southern Hemisphere season approaching and the start of the Northern Hemisphere season a few months away we here at NextGenXV figured it was a good time to look at some of the biggest rivalries in the schools rugby scene.
Lists like these are of course always subjective, but we decided to give our thoughts.
10) Wellington College vs Sedbergh (England)
Two massive rugby schools whose clashes are a fixture on the schools rugby calendar in England. Recent history has seen Sedbergh come out on top but it hasn’t been with ease.
Numerous internationals have been produced between the two schools and over 50 England Under 18 internationals are among those.
2022/23: Sedbergh 21-13
2021/22: Draw 32-32
2020/21: DNP
2019/20: Sedbergh 20-10
2018/19: Sedbergh 17-15
9) Christchurch Boys vs Christs College (New Zealand)
Many New Zealanders will argue that the vast majority of talent lies in the North island but none will argue that this is one of the fiercest rivalries in the country.
These two schools were among the first boys only schools in Canterbury and are located within 100 meters of one another. The first game dates all the way back to 1892 which Christs won 34-0.
So far 136 games have been played with Christchurch Boys leading 84-43 in terms of historical wins and an astounding 60 plus All Blacks have featured in this derby.
2023: Christchurch Boys 37-3
2022: Christs 28-27
2021: Christs 35-21
2020: Christs 28-27
2019: Christs 28-27
8) Nudgee College vs Gregory Terrace (Australia)
Known as the “battle of the colours” it does not get much bigger than this in terms of the Australian schools rugby calendar.
Literally thousands turn up for this event which has its roots when Gregory Terrace built a boarding house that would eventually become what is known today as Nudgee College. Nudgee took the original schools colours with them and hence the derby’s naming origin.
Although Nudgee has a far superior history in terms of their 30 GPS titles to the 6 of Gregory Terrace this match is where both teams very much stand up to be counted. Over 100 Australian Under 18 internationals have played in this historical fixture.
2023: Nudgee 24-19
2022: Nudgee 38-17
2021: Nudgee 24-19
2020: Nudgee 24-19
2019: Nudgee 38-31
7) Grey College vs Paul Roos (South Africa)
One of the most prominent fixtures in South African schools rugby, the two Springbok factories go head to head in what is the season finale for both schools and very much is season defining.
The derby only started in 1967 but despite the lack of history this is a matchup with two of the very best programs across all age groups with results being very competitive, Paul Roos being one of the few schools that can match Grey for depth and quality.
Grey currently lead the derby comfortably but Paul Roos still give a fantastic account of themselves and the matchups are generally very close.
The derby would be far higher on this list but loses an edge due to the fact it clashes with the SA Schools international fixtures and thus both teams often lose many of their high quality players. Over 100 Springboks and 130 SA Schools players have come through both systems just to show how significant this fixture really is.
2023: Coming Soon!
2022: Paul Roos 34-19
2021: DNP
2020: DNP
2019: Grey College 58-21
6) RKS vs Marist Brothers (Fiji)
A rivalry which has it all, as Fijian school rugby expert Alex Dawson says: “When RKS plays Marist Brothers it’s like Lions vs Hyenas”.
RKS plays in the Eastern Zone competition while Marist Brothers compete in the Southern Zone meaning the schools only really get the chance to compete in national play offs meaning there is very much an added edge when the two teams meet.
The rivalry is not only about rugby, it’s catholic vs methodist, working class vs upper class and city boys vs country boys. Keep your eyes on the Deans Cup which is Fiji’s schools championship where the rugby is fierce and flowing, the Fijian way.
5) Presentation Brothers vs Christian Brothers (Ireland)
Sporting rivalries in Cork are well known to be brutal affairs, and this rivalry is certainly no exception. A true grudge match and one that is marked on the calendar for school rugby enthusiasts to attend.
Nearly 10,000 spectators turn up for this event, the two schools are only 2km apart and separated by a river. The two teams have been dominant in the Munster Schools Senior Cup.
To show you how significant this rivalry is consider that both teams have accumulated 31 trophies in the competition.
2023: PBC 24-0
2022: PBC 21-19
2021: DNP
2020: DNP
2019: CBC 20-5
4) St Josephs vs St Ignatius (Australia)
When it comes to grudge matches this ranks among the top in Australia. Over 10,000 spectators ram into the school grounds to catch this fixture with the talent on display often being among the best in the country.
Both schools are catholic, one Jesuit and one Marist and are located but a stones throw from one another. Although Joeys are far and away the most successful school in the AAGPS schools competition when they face old foe St Ignatius they know they are in for a big game.
Nearly 150 Australian Under 18 internationals have played in this fixture showing you just how much quality is on display.
2023: Riverview 26-21
2022: Joeys 35-20
2021: Riverview 45-38
2020: Joeys 12-7
2019: Joeys 34-23
3) John Fisher vs Whitgift (England)
The Croydon derby is certainly without equal in England in terms of a rivalry and although these schools are not among the top level schools in the country right now make no mistake this derby cannot be matched.
The fixture is seen as a form of class warfare as it is a state vs private encounter and there are in excess of 5000 spectators at this fixture which is highly unusual for an English schools rugby encounter. The battles are not only on the field of play but off the field as well as the old boys from both schools exchange banter off the field which is generally good natured.
Whitgift have a fantastic rugby program but John Fisher never allow them an easy game.
2022/23: Whitgift 40-19
2021/22: Whitgift 22-3
2020/21: DNP
2019/20: Whitgift 22-0
2018/19: Whitgift 41-5
2) Auckland Grammar vs Kings College (New Zealand)
Before the whistle blows, the ferocity and intensity of this fixture can be felt when both schools perform their hakas. True goosebumps and plenty of young testosterone on display!
These two giants of Auckland rugby have been doing battle since 1896 and have played over 200 fixtures. Grammar have notched up 128 wins as opposed to Kings 57 with 16 draws although recent history has seen the teams on more of an even level.
Over 120 All Blacks and New Zealand Under 18 internationals have taken part in this derby, it just goes to show how much quality is on the field of play and a match where future legends can be born.
2023: Grammar 40-23
2022: Kings 15-3
2021: Grammar 24-21
2020: Grammar 34-32
2019: Grammar 19-15
1) Paarl Boys vs Paarl Gim (South Africa)
There is not much that those in the world of schools rugby can agree on, whether it’s rankings or who the best players are but if there is one thing that is universally agreed to is that the Paarl Derby simply has no equal.
The beautiful town of Paarl, normally peaceful is split into two during the interschools with even local stores displaying the colours of their preferred team. More than 20,000 spectators pack the stadium and the fixture is very much season defining for both teams, you can lose the majority of your fixtures but if you win the Paarl derby the season is considered a massive success.
No doubt the toughest derby as well on the list with Paarl Gim gaining 49 wins and Paarl Boys with 43, the average score margin is less than 5!
2023: Coming Soon!
2022: Paarl Boys 26-24
2021: DNP
2020: DNP
2019: Paarl Gim 18-17
