While most of the 1st XV action is scheduled for Thursday, day one already delivered plenty of excitement. 

Marlow, from the Eastern Cape, caused the first major upset by edging out the usually dominant Welkom Gimnasium 25–22 at Diamantveld. That result was followed by another surprise, as Nico Malan from Humansdorp defeated the more highly rated Glenwood High School from Durban 41–39.

Waterkloof, the powerhouse from Pretoria, made a strong statement with a commanding 54–26 win over the hosts, Hoërskool Diamantveld.

Glenwood vs Nico Malan - Wildeklawer

Affies also impressed, clinching a thrilling 20–18 victory over Paul Roos Gymnasium, one of the giants of South African school rugby. That result will give the Pretoria outfit a major confidence boost for the rest of the season.

A host of mouth–watering clashes are lined up for Thursday, as 1st XV rugby swings into full gear. The action gets underway early, with EG Jansen (Boksburg) facing HTS Drostdy (Worcester).Boland Landbou (Wellington) take on Framesby (Gqeberha), while Durban High School (DHS) meet Stellenberg (Bellville).

Hoërskool Monument (Krugersdorp) go head-to-head with Hoërskool Outeniqua (George), and Garsfontein (Pretoria) face Oakdale (Riversdale) in what promises to be a cracker.

Diamantveld v Waterkloof - Wildekalwer

Northwood, who have produced the likes of new Toyota Cheetahs signings Ntokozo Mahkaza and Sasko Ndlovu, will be up against Paarl Gymnasium, fresh off their stunning win over Grey College in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Rustenburg will take on Voortrekker Bethlehem from the Eastern Free State, in what’s expected to be another exciting contest.

The ever-improving Noordheuwel, also from Krugersdorp, will host Paarl Boys' High (Boishaai), another titan of South African school rugby. Later, Jeppe (Johannesburg) will face Maritzburg College in what should be a thrilling encounter.

Day two will wrap up with the Bloemfontein giants, Grey College, taking on Helpmekaar from Johannesburg.

Thursday Fixtures:

• 08:00– EG Jansen vs HTS Drostdy

• 09:30– Boland Landbou vs Framesby

• 11:00 – DHS vs Stellenberg

• 12:30– Monument vs Outeniqua

• 14:00 – Garsfontein vs Oakdale

• 15:00 – Barbarian North vs Barbarian South

• 15:30 –Northwood vs Paarl Gym

• 16:10 – Rustenburg vs Voortrekker Bethlehem

• 17:00 – Noordheuwel vs Paarl Boys’

• 18:30 – Jeppe vs Maritzburg College

• 20:00 – Grey College vs Helpmekaar

Morgan Piek OFM Sport lh