Three South African schools were included in NextGenXV’s top 12 ranking of the world’s best rugby teams in 2024, with Paul Roos Gimnasium at No 1.
1. Paul Roos Gimnasium (South Africa)
The undisputed best schools side in South Africa in 2024. And if you’re the best in South Africa, you’re going to be knocking pretty hard on the door to be considered as the best in the world.
It was a stunning 2024 for Paul Roos, who weren’t even in the Top 12 in 2023. They defeated two other South African giants on this list, Paarl Gim and Grey College, to go through the season unbeaten. Their crowning glory came in their final game at home to Grey College, when they sealed a stunning 36-3 victory to secure the unbeaten record and condemned their opponents to their heaviest-ever defeat by a current South African school.
The only downside? It came right in the middle of the U18 International Series, between South Africa’s games with Ireland and England. Do we need a global calendar to extend down to the school game too?
A few of Paul Roos Gimnasium’s young stars were involved in that series, notably Riley Norton and Oliver Reid, who might well soon follow in the footsteps of World Cup-winning Springbok alumni like Willie le Roux, Steven Kitshoff and Damian Willemse.
2. Tauranga Boys’ College (New Zealand)
3. Nudgee College (Australia)
4. Blackrock College (Ireland)
5. Harrow School (England)
6. Hamilton Boys’ High School (New Zealand)
7. Paarl Gimnasium (South Africa)
Down from third in 2023 to seventh, but another outstanding season from Paarl Gim. Only 2024’s No 1 side, Paul Roos, and fellow South African giants Grey College defeated them, and even then by just six and two points respectively – that was how close Paarl Gim came to featuring far higher on this list.
Their crowning glory was their final match, the derby against Paarl Boys’ High, the biggest schools game in the world. Played in front of more than 20,000 spectators, Paarl Gim were dominant en route to a 30-8 victory. An outstanding year for Paarl Gim in which Markus Muller was capped at U18 level.
8. Grey College (South Africa)
It’s a sign of just how good Grey College are that they’ll probably reflect on 2024 with disappointment, despite making this Top 12 list. Once again, they were the dominant side in the Free State, going through the season with just two losses.
Standouts included AJ Meyer, Ethan Adams, Alzeadon Felix and Pieter van der Merwe, who all played for South Africa U18. They actually beat Paarl Gim but the nature of their two defeats sees them slip behind them into eighth. A shock defeat to Jeppe in March was a blow, but it was the 36-3 loss to Paul Roos in August that really stung.
9. Sedbergh School (England)
10. St Michael’s College (Ireland)
11. Kirkham Grammar School (England)
12. Llandovery College (Wales)
All NextGenXV schools rankings
Photos: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
