by Dave Alexander | May 3, 2026 | School Rugby
STORY 1 (MAIN): Festival overview
Wildeklawer delivers drama, dominance and down-to-the-wire finishes
The 2026 Wildeklawer Rugby Festival delivered three days of high-intensity schoolboy rugby at Diamantveld High School, with dominant performances, nail-biting finishes and a steady stream of attacking play defining one of the country’s premier youth showcases.
From the outset, the tone was set with tightly contested clashes and statement victories. EG Jansen edged Nico Malan 31-24 on the opening day, while hosts Diamantveld powered past Paul Roos 49-15 after leading comfortably at halftime.
However, For the final day, ie Monday, the stronger teams were pitted against each other, ending as the final matches.
One of the early highlights saw Paul Roos rebound later in the day to claim a narrow 21-18 win over Garsfontein, underlining the competitive nature of the festival, where momentum often swung dramatically within the same fixture block.
Day 2 expanded into a full programme of matches, with several encounters going down to the wire. Waterkloof held off a late surge from Durbanville to secure a 22-21 victory, while Jeppe High School for Boys clinched a thrilling 31-26 win over Boland Landbou after surrendering a lead and then regaining control late in the match.
There were also commanding displays. Monument proved too strong for Durban High School, pulling away in the second half for a 41-27 win, while Oakdale overcame Westville 40-24 in a match that gradually slipped away from their opponents.
Among the standout attacking performances, Affies delivered a high-scoring 55-26 victory over Outeniqua, showcasing their ability to turn pressure into points, particularly in a dominant second-half spell.
Grey College also stamped their authority, defeating Noordheuwel 34-12 after building a strong first-half foundation, while Paarl Gymnasium underlined their credentials with a convincing win over Helpmekaar.
Paarl Gymnasium final score vs Helpmekaar was 45-10, with the halftime score being 21-5.
The final day continued in similar fashion, blending close contests with emphatic wins. Stellenberg overturned a halftime deficit to beat Diamantveld 31-20. The following fixture saw Helpmekaar produce a high-scoring performance to defeat Queen’s College 73-36.
One of the most dramatic encounters came between Outeniqua and Maritzburg College, where the lead changed hands multiple times before Outeniqua snatched a 30-29 victory with a late penalty.
Equally gripping was the clash between Garsfontein and Northwood, with Garsfontein edging a 33-31 result in a match defined by momentum swings and late pressure.
Grey College again showed their class on the final day, overpowering Jeppe with a commanding victory that pushed their tally past 40 points. The final score being 54-14.
The festival concluded with a dramatic finale between Affies and Paarl Boys’ High, a match that encapsulated the spirit of Wildeklawer. After trailing for much of the contest, Affies mounted a late surge to claim a thrilling 40-37 victory.
Across the three days, the festival once again highlighted the depth of schoolboy rugby in South Africa, with traditional powerhouses asserting themselves while several fixtures delivered the kind of unpredictability and drama that continue to define Wildeklawer as a marquee event on the rugby calendar.
STORY 2: Results wrap
Wildeklawer 2026 – Results
Day 1
EG Jansen 31-24 Nico Malan
Diamantveld 49-15 Paul Roos
Paul Roos 21-18 Garsfontein Day 2
Waterkloof 22-21 Durbanville
Monument 41-27 Durban High School
Stellenberg 24-15 Maritzburg College
Oakdale 40-24 Westville
Jeppe 31-26 Boland Landbou
Paarl Boys’ High 21-18 Northwood
Affies 55-26 Outeniqua
Grey College 34-12 Noordheuwel
Paarl Gymnasium 45-10 Helpmekaar
Day 3
Stellenberg 31-20 Diamantveld
Helpmekaar 73-36 Queen’s College Halftime score Helpmekaar 28- 24 Queens College.
Outeniqua 30-29 Maritzburg College
Boland Landbou 16-14 Noordheuwel
Garsfontein 33-31 Northwood
Paul Roos 15-13 Oakdale
Paarl Gymnasium 47-7 Durban High School
Grey College 54-14 Jeppe
Affies 40-37 Paarl Boys’ High
STORY 3: Talking points / analysis
Powerhouses rise, but Wildeklawer’s edge lies in its unpredictability
If Wildeklawer 2026 confirmed anything, it is that South Africa’s traditional rugby powerhouses remain formidable — but they are being pushed harder than ever.
Grey College and Paarl Gymnasium delivered performances that reinforced their reputations, both sides combining structure with attacking efficiency to record convincing victories across the festival.
Affies also made a strong statement, not only through a dominant win over Outeniqua but with their dramatic comeback victory over Paarl Boys’ High in the closing fixture — a result that highlighted both resilience and depth.
Yet the festival was not defined by dominance alone.
Matches such as Garsfontein’s narrow win over Northwood, Outeniqua’s one-point victory against Maritzburg College, and Waterkloof’s slender triumph over Durbanville illustrated the increasingly fine margins at school level.
Perhaps most telling was the number of matches that swung late, with teams able to overturn deficits or defend narrow leads under pressure. That trend points to improved conditioning, tactical awareness and bench impact across the board.
At the same time, but the broader picture remains clear — the gap between the top tier and the chasing pack is tightening.
Wildeklawer continues to serve not only as a showcase of elite schoolboy rugby, but as a barometer for where the next generation of players — and teams — are heading.
STORY 4: Five standout matches from Wildeklawer 2026
Five matches that defined Wildeklawer 2026
Across three days of action, Wildeklawer 2026 produced its share of dominant wins — but it was the tight, high-pressure encounters that truly captured the essence of the festival. Here are five matches that stood out.
1. Affies 40-37 Paarl Boys’ High – A finale worthy of the stage
The final match of the festival delivered one of its most dramatic moments. Paarl Boys’ High appeared in control for large stretches, building a lead and applying scoreboard pressure.
But Affies refused to fade.
They chipped away at the deficit before surging late, scoring in the closing stages to snatch a 40-37 victory. It was a match defined by momentum swings and nerve under pressure — and a fitting way to close the festival.
2. Outeniqua 30-29 Maritzburg College – A one-point thriller
Few matches illustrated Wildeklawer’s competitiveness better than this back-and-forth encounter.
Maritzburg College and Outeniqua traded blows throughout, with neither side able to establish lasting control. The lead changed hands repeatedly before the match was ultimately decided by a late penalty.
Outeniqua edged it 30-29 — a result that underlined just how fine the margins were across the festival.
3. Garsfontein 33-31 Northwood – Pressure, response, repeat
This clash followed a familiar Wildeklawer script: momentum swings, quick responses, and a finish that could have gone either way.
Northwood built phases of pressure, only for Garsfontein to respond in kind. As the match tightened late on, it became a test of composure as much as execution.
In the end, Garsfontein held on for a 33-31 win in one of the most evenly contested matches of the weekend.
4. Waterkloof 22-21 Durbanville – A comeback that fell just short
Day 2 opened with immediate drama.
Waterkloof looked in control early, leading 15-0 at halftime. But Durbanville mounted a strong second-half comeback, closing the gap to a single point after scoring late.
Despite the late surge, Waterkloof held firm to secure a 22-21 victory in a match that set the tone for the day’s tightly contested fixtures.
5. Jeppe 31-26 Boland Landbou – Momentum swings and a late finish
This encounter delivered one of the most dramatic shifts in momentum.
Jeppe built a strong early lead, but Boland Landbou fought back impressively, drawing level at 26-26 after sustained second-half pressure.
With the match in the balance, Jeppe regrouped to score late and reclaim the lead, securing a 31-26 victory in a contest that highlighted both attacking intent and resilience
by Dave Alexander | Aug 6, 2025 | School Rugby
Wildeklawer Festival 2025
Day 1 30 April 2025
The first day was marred by some inclement weather with the last fixture after the official opening , the rain and some lightning stopped the game for a number of minutes.
Game 1
Marlow vs Welkom Gym..
Marlow came back from being 17-3 down at halftime to eventually run out winners by 25 to 22
in a great match, which had the spectators on their feet.
The first half was basically one sided with Marlow defending but still making quite a few basic errors. However in the second half they improved their play, probably after a stern talking to at the break.
It seems like that Welkom Gym went into slow mode in the second half, allowing their opponents
In through the back door, playing a more attacking game to run out winners by a slender 3 points.
Game 2
Nico Malan vs Glenwood
This match ended in a nail biting finish with Nico Malan edged out the more fancied Glenwood outfit, winning the match by a slender 2 points, 41-39.
The halftime score was also a 2 point difference, 24-22 with Nico Malan in front. This was a very exciting game with both teams playing exciting rugby and thrilling the crowds. These two teams were pretty evenly matched as the scoreline shows, but although both teams did make a small amount of basic errors, avery inspiring match.
Game 3
Diamantveld vs Waterkloof
The hosts, Diamantveld were simply outclassed in this fixture, with the half time score being 35-7 to Waterkloof. The second half proved to be a bit better for the hosts as they increase their
Score to 24, but not enough for their opposition to end their score on 54. A bit of a hiding in the end.
Game 4
Affies vs Paul Roos
The final fixture of the day was between the more fancied Affies from Pretoria and Paul Roos with Affies going to the halftime break 20-10. However the second half was interrupted by a heavy down pour and lightning, with the referee stopping the match for a while. After the resumption Paul Roos were awarded a penalty, which they converted, but it was not enough to catch up. The final score was 20-13. That was the end of day one.
Day 2 1 May 2025
Game 1. EG Jansen vs Drostdy HTS
The first match on day 2 was between EG Jansen from Boksburg and Drostdy from Worcester, saw Drostdy taking a slender 7 nil lead at the halftime break. Both teams were making basic errors, such as knock ons and playing off sides during the first half, however the game turned around in the second half with EG Jansen coming back to win the game by 20 points to 10, with Drostdy adding only a penalty to their halftime tally.
Game 2. Boland Landbou vs Framesby
Boland Landbou exerted pressure on right from the start of the match taking the score to 38 5 in
the first half, playing good running rugby. Framesby, battled on bravely and not giving up were unfortunate not to score any more points in the game, while Boland Landbou continued putting pressure on, playing a good running game and eventually running out victors by 64 points to 5.
Game 3. DHS vs Stellenberg
The third fixture of the day saw Durban High School, coached by Peter Engeldow, ex Griqua coach, taking on Stellenberg from Bellville in the Western Cape, with DHS turning a 12 point all halftime score into a 7 point victory in the end, with the final score 26-19. This was a very exciting game producing some excellent moves, which had the supporters attention throughout the game.
Game 4. Monnas vs Outiniqua
Another enthralling closely encountered match, with a single point difference in the end. Here Outiniqua running winners 21-20, after Monnas, from Krugersdorp, led 6 nil at halftime. Both teams play attractive open running rugby, keeping the spectators on the edge of their seats throughout.
Game 5. Garsfontein vs Oakdale.
Oakdale led 15-10 at the halftime break against Garsfontein, from Pretoria, however the second half produced another exciting fixture, with both teams deadlocked in the only draw so far of the 2025 festival on 30 all. Here once again the crowds were out of their seats, whilst cheering both teams on.
Game 6. Northwood vs Paarl Gymnasium
Although the more fancied Paarl Gym outfit, coached by ex Griqua player, coach and Springbok player, showed their strength, leading 24-13 against heir opponents, Northwood from Durban North. But in the second half, Paarl Gym increased the pressure on Northwood to eventually run away with the match, winning 46-20 in the end.
Game 7. Noordheuwel vs Paarl Boys High.
The other strong Paarl team, Paarl Boys High also showed what they are made off, taking on
Noordheuwel, from the suburb of Noordheuwel in Krugersdorp, running out winners 42-14, after leading 13-7 at the break. The Paarl team produced some great running rugby in the second half, while Noordheuwel could only add one more try to their first try scored in the first half.
Game 8. Jeppe vs Maritzburg College.
Another tough encounter between Jeppe and Maritzburg College saw some exciting and tough rugby from both sides, with Jeppe beating the more fancied Maritzburg outfit 37-24, halftime Jeppe led 20-5. Here once again the spectators were on the edge of their seats during this tough and exciting encounter.
Game 9. Grey College vs Helpmekaar.
The final fixture of the day was Grey College taking on Helpmekaar from Braamfontein in Johannesburg, with the former running out victors over the plucky Helpmekaar outfit by 56-14, running in eight converted tries to the latter’s two. The score at the halftime break was 28-7. Grey’s well drilled driving maul was too good for the opposition to handle, putting them on the backfoot for a large portion of the game.
Saturday 3 May 2025 is the final day of the Wildklawer Festival, with 9 rugby fixtures on the cards starting at 8am and ending with the final fixture at 8pm, with plenty of excitement during the day.
Day 3 Final Day 3 May 2025.
Game 1. Waterkloof vs Stellenberg
Saturday and the final day of the 15th Wildeklawer Festival with the first match of the day between Waterkloof High School and Stellenberg, in freezing overcast conditions. The two teams were pretty evenly matched in the first half with the score at 7 all. However in the second half Waterkloof seemed to find their feet and put pressure on their opponents,
However, this was short lived as Stellenberg scored an unconverted try try taking them total to within 5 of their opponents, 17-12. Towards the end of the match, Stellenberg fought back to score another try, equalising the score at 17 all, with 8 minutes left in the match. Final score 17 all.
Point Scorers: Stellenberg: Tries; Armand Potgieter (2), Ethan van Biljon, Conversions; van
Biljon.17
Waterkloof: Tries; Ruan Jacobs, Johannes de Beer, Conversions Ruan Bastiaanse (2), Penalty Bastiaanse. 17
Game 2. Noordheuwel vs Outeniqua
Outeniqua put on the pressure from the start taking the score to 12 nil early in the first half. But Noordheuwel fought back scoring a converted try of their own to trail 12-7. Noordheuwel were awarded with a penalty for off sides with their score creeping closer to Outiniqua’s 12-10. However Noordheuwel went finished yet, scoring a try 5 minutes from the end of the first half, the conversion being successful, 17-12, which was the halftime score.
The try line alternated frequently changing hands in the second half with the score changing hands as well and with 5 minutes left the score was 29-26 in favour of Noordheuwel. With the final 2 seconds of the game, Noordheuwel snatched victory with a penalty after being down 33-32, to win an interesting, tough fixture by 35 points to 33.
Point Scorers: Noordheuwel; Tries; Jayden Steyn (2), Andrew Lambert, Clinton Agu. Conversions; Jeandre Vithaler (3), Penalty; Vithaler (3). 35
Outeniqua: Tries; Grant Savage, Ruan van Rensburg, Virgil Pockpas, Schalk van der Merwe, Matthew Prins. Conversions; Pockpas (4). 33.
Game 3. Monnas vs Paarl Boys High
Paarl Boys High scored their first four tries, dominating the first 25 minutes of the match, taking
the lead by 26 points to nil. Playing against the breeze, they scored their fifth try shortly after their fourth, increasing the lead to 38 nil with three minutes to the halftime break. Paarl Boys High ran in their sixth try before halftime taking the score to 45 nil, but they scored their seventh try, converted, 52-0 at halftime. Seems like Monument never pitched up for the first half of the match.
The second half started very much like the first, with Paarl Boys High on the charge,scoring the first try shortly after the start, leading 57 nil. The visitors from the Western Cape never let up, keeping up the pressure and in the end running in a lot of tries, 10-13, final score 83 nil.
Game4. Diamantveld vs Maritzburg College
The hosts, Diamantveld opened the score line against Maritzburg College, with an unconverted try in the opening minutes of the game, taking a 5 nil lead. However this match took the same shape as the first, with each team taking turns to score tries, with Maritzburg taking a slender lead 12-5, but Diamonds fought back hard scoring their second try, taking back the lead 17-12.
Maritzburg fought back scoring another try in the corner, taking the lead again 21-17. However from the middle of the final day, the clouds disappeared with the sun shining brightly and warming up. The halftime score was Maritzburg taking the lead, 24-17.
The second half followed in similar fashion to the first with the lead changing hands, but in the end it was the host team, Diamantveld who clinched the win in the end by one try more than their opponents Maritzburg College, winning the game 38-31. .
Game 5. Affies vs Boland Landbou
Playing in full sunshine now, which started off as an evenly balanced two teams, until the 29th minute when Affies ran in their first try taking the lead 7 nil. However, they scored their second try with 24 minutes left in the half, 12 nil with the conversion going astray. Affies scored five more tries, of which four were converted before the halftime break, thus leading 33 nil at the break. Affies were not quite finished, as they turned on the pressure in the second half, scoring 14 tries, 13 converted, total 74 to the two tries of Boland, 14 points. A very one sided game which actually produced some enthralling, running rugby, but Bolland’s defence let them down
In the end.
Game 6. Jeppe vs Oakdale
Oakdale wasted little time in scoring the first try of their match against Jeppe, taking an early lead 7 nil. But the Jeppe’s defence seemed to hold out strongly for some time. Jeppe came back with a penalty, but then Outiniqua struck back with a converted try, holding onto the lead 14-3, which was the halftime score.
Oakdale tried turning on the pressure but the Jeppe defence held on, but Oakdale scored four more tries, taking their score to 42, while Jeppe succeded with another penalty and a converted try, taking their total to 13 points. Oakdale were not quite finished yet running in another converted try in the last minute of the game, but Jeppe were also not finished yet scoring two more converted tries of their own, making the final score Oakdale 42, Jeppe 27.
Game 7. EG Jansen vs Paul Roos
EG Jansen opened the score line with an intercept try under the posts, easily converted, taking an early lead, 7 nil. However Paul Roos found their feet and ran in three converted tries and a penalty, to take the halftime score to 24-7.
As in the first half, EG Jansen’s defence let them down, as Paul Roos scored an unconverted try in the 7th minute of the second half,adding the five points to their total, 28-7. EG Jansen started to make a comeback scoring an unconverted try of their own, taking their score to 12, but Paul Roos also added to their total, scoring two unconverted tries, 34-12. However EG Jansen did not give up so easily, scoring another try, a pushover one at that, but still not enough to catch up to Paul Roos, score now 34-17. Paul Roos came back scoring a great try, which went unconverted, taking the score to 39-17 with 7 minutes left in the match, but Paul Roos scored their final try at the final whistle, converting, taking the final score to 46-17.
Game 8. Garsfontein vs Grey College
The second last fixture of the tournament saw the more fancied outfit of Grey College taking on Garsfontein. Grey College scored 3 converted tries and a penalty in the first half, while Garsfontein ran in 3 unconverted tries, taking the halftime score to 24-15. Both teams playing attractive running rugby during the first half.
However, Grey did not waste any time after the break to score a converted try, increasing their total to 31, but in the 7th minute of the second half, Garsfontein struck back with a converted try of their own taking their score up to 22. Grey came back in the 48th minute with a push over try, by Xander Smit, from a tap free kick increasing their score to 38. Shortly after that, Grey scored again near the posts and was converted, score 45-22. Garsfontein ran in the final try of the match from a penalty, taking the final score to 45-29.
Game 9. DHS vs Paarl Gym
The final rugby fixture of the 2025 Wildeklawer Festival, between Durban High School and Paarl Gymnasium, with two ex Griqua coaches, Peter Engeldow for DHS and Dawie Theron Paarl Gym which promises to be a humdinger. Paarl Gym seem to be battling a bit, only scoring one try before the halftime break, but Durban Boys High managed to kick a penalty in the first half, score 7-3. However Paarl Gym fought back strongly scoring a try, succeeding with a difficult conversion from the touchline taking their score to 14, followed by another converted try shortly afterwards, increasing their lead to 21-3, 4 minutes from the halftime break, but DHS had the last say scoring a converted try on the stroke of halftime, score 21-10..
The second half saw Durban Boys High slot a penalty, 4 minutes into the half, taking their tally to 13.But Paarl Gym came back strongly, scoring a great converted try stretching their lead to 28 points to 13, while DHS slotted a penalty just before the Paarl try. In the 53rd minute, Paarl Gym ran in another good try, due to poor defensive errors from the Durban outfit, to increase the lead to 35 points to 13. Paarl were still not finished adding another 5 points to their scoreline, 40-13. However Durban ran in a great converted try with 5 minutes left in the match, creeping slowly to 20 points, but a little too late. But once again Paarl had the final say scoring a converted try with 3 minutes from the final whistle, taking the score to 47-20, the final score and the end of another Wildeklawer Festival, until 2026. .
