Schools rugby season kicks off with Knockouts in April

By Shamseer Jaleel

The stage is set, the teams are hard at training, and the countdown has already begun for what promises to be an electrifying 2025 schools rugby season. 

With the Knockout Tournament kicking off in April and the much-anticipated League Tournament slated for June, rugby enthusiasts are gearing up for a year filled with action, drama, and unforgettable moments.

According to the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SSRFA), Knockouts will be held from 24 April to 18 May. Then, on 2 June, the much-awaited League will commence, ending on 10 August. Knockouts, coming first, will not give any teams the chance to chicken out this time around, giving various excuses.

From the intensity of the Knockout rounds to the battle for consistency in the League, this season will not only test the physicality of the players but also their mental toughness, strategy, and teamwork. 

Knockout Tournament: High-stakes drama in April

The curtain-raiser for the season will be the Knockout Tournament, a fierce competition where every game is a battle for survival. 

16 teams will take the field, 12 from the elite ‘A’ Division and four from the challenging ‘B’ Division, in a tournament that leaves no room for error. 

Isipathana, the school which has produced the most number of national players, are the defending champions and will be doing their level best to defend their title. Greens will be without their experienced Head Coach Saliya Kumara, who opted to get back to his hometown to coach the Antonians. 

This single-elimination format ensures that every match is a final, with schools fighting tooth and nail to advance to the next round. The inclusion of ‘B’ Division teams brings an added element of unpredictability, as these underdogs look to upset the traditional powerhouses and make their mark.

The Knockout Tournament has always been a breeding ground for iconic moments, and 2025 will be no different. The team which wins all four of their games will walk away with the trophy.

League Tournament: A marathon of excellence starts in June 2025

As the dust settles on the Knockout battles, the focus will shift to the League Tournament, beginning in June. 

Unlike the Knockouts’ do-or-die structure, the League is a test of consistency and endurance, where teams must deliver top performances week after week. 

The lads from St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya, will defend their title. They have dominated school rugby for more than a decade, with the most experienced Coach Sanath Martis once again heading the coaching unit.

This year, the League welcomed Mahanama College and Ananda College into the top division, adding new dimensions to the competition. Both schools are eager to prove they belong among the best and will undoubtedly bring fresh energy to the field.

The League Tournament has been structured into three groups with six teams each, each group brimming with talent and fierce rivalries. The top two teams from each group will move forward and play four games in the Super Round to decide the League champions.

Group A: St. Peter’s College, DS Senanayake College, Wesley College, Science College, St. Anthony’s College, Ananda College

Group B: Isipathana College, S. Thomas’ College, Zahira College, Dharmaraja College, Kingswood College, Mahanama College

Group C: Royal College, Trinity College, Vidyartha College, St. Joseph’s College, Sri Sumangala College, Thurstan College