Southland Boys’ have not got the opponent many would have expected. They will play St Andrew’s in the South Island final in Christchurch on Saturday. Christchurch Boys’ will be surprised by that. They would have been expecting to join Southland Boys’ in the final and still be in the battle for a place in the National First XV Championships top four finals. But they were upset 33-17 by St Andrew’s in the Canterbury final. The co-educational school proved a point. They were left out of the breakaway South Island Boys’ Schools Rugby Championship (SIBS) and have responded in the best possible way by beating the champion. St Andrew’s qualified in third place in the Canterbury tournament. They suffered a 37-7 loss to St Bede’s and were edged 31-28 by Nelson College during round-robin play. They also had a 29-29 draw with Christchurch Boys’. But they brushed aside St Thomas 54-14 in the quarterfinal and edged St Bede’s 31-21 in the semifinals. The 16-point win in the final was a statement. The top South Island boys’ schools went off and played in their own competition, only for their inaugural champion to be knocked out of the running in the national competition. Southland Boys’ route to the final has involved less irony and more jolly good thrashings. They dominated the Southern Schools Rugby Championship. They clobbered John McGlashan 66-7 in the semifinals and dispatched King’s 49-17 in the final. Southland Boys’ staged an impressive SIBS campaign as well. They won nine of their games. Their only loss was in round one to Christchurch Boys’. They may have relished an opportunity to play Christchurch Boys’ in the South Island final and to exact some revenge. But it is St Andrew’s that stands between them and a spot in the top four finals. Southland Boys’ coach Jason Dermody was not even mildly shocked by St Andrew’s progress. “We knew they had a good side this year, so no surprises,’’ he said. “They haven't played in as many tough games as the boys' school, so they'll be fresh. “They're peaking at the right time of the season.” That said, Southland Boys’ are used to playing at a high intensity. They made it to the top four finals last year, and won the national title in 2023, beating Westlake Boys’ 32-29. While this is a new team, the coach is the same, the culture is still in place and Southland Boys’ have been a powerhouse. “We'll be ready for Saturday. We're under no illusions about what we're walking into. It'll be a hostile environment, being on home ground at St Andrew’s. “They've got a bit of a point to prove, being left out of that new competition. We know it's going to be tough, so we'll have to be at our best.” Southland Girls’ will also chase glory. They are hosting Christchurch Girls’ in the South Island final.
