A South Island-wide boys First XV competition will go ahead.
How it will be structured and which schools will enter still remains vague.
But the Canterbury Rugby Football Union has confirmed the introduction of a new South Island secondary schoolboys’ competition, which will run concurrently with the existing premiership and championship competitions in the Crusaders region.
In a press release, Canterbury Rugby stated the schools in the Highlanders region were continuing "to work through their respective competition impact, with further announcements expected in the next fortnight".
Initially, it was proposed five schools from the Highlanders region join the competition.
Waitaki Boys’ were quick to opt out. The Oamaru school cited resourcing issues and a lack of player depth.
There have been rumours John McGlashan College has reservations as well. Acting principal John Veitch could not be reached for comment.
But if they are out, that would leave King’s, Otago Boys’ and Southland Boys’ as the representatives from the lower South Island.
Earlier this month, Christchurch Boys’ acting principal Nigel Vernon told The Press his school "can’t endorse the proposal to form a new rugby competition in its current form".
"At this stage, there are too many question marks for us, with more work needed around long-term sustainability, funding and the impact on our wider sporting programme and community."
Christchurch Boys’ won the Miles Toyota Premiership this season, so their absence is quite a snub.
But despite the hurdles, organisers are pushing ahead.
Canterbury Rugby chief executive Tony Smail said it had worked alongside the schools and the association was "really pleased to see a decision in our region that reflects the collective effort of schools working together".
"This is an exciting step forward — not only for our schools but for the future of secondary school rugby and the holistic development of young men across Te Waipounamu."
