The Southern Zone Secondary Schools Rugby Union Vodafone Deans semi-finals featured intense battles at Buckhurst Park in Suva, resulting in the surprising elimination of traditional powerhouses in the under-18 category.
Both Suva Grammar School and Marist Brothers High School, who were among the 2023 national Deans semi-finalists, were defeated in the Southern Zone semis. Suva Grammar School lost a close match 22-27 to Mahatma Gandhi Memorial High School, a newcomer in the competition, while Marist Brothers High School was edged out 22-24 by a determined 13-man Nasinu Secondary School team.
The matches were full of spectacular plays and tries but were also marked by instances of indiscipline. The first semifinal between Mahatma Gandhi Memorial and Suva Grammar saw three cards issued—two yellow and one red—for dangerous tackles and professional fouls.
In the clash between Nasinu and Marist, two Nasinu players were shown red cards for dangerous tackles, with one tackle resulting in a Marist player being stretchered off the field and taken away in an ambulance for medical attention. Additionally, three yellow cards were handed out in that game.
With Mahatma Gandhi Memorial and Nasinu securing their spots in the final and the national quarter-finals, Suva Grammar and Marist Brothers are set to fight for third place. The winner of this match will proceed to compete in the playoffs in the North, with the victorious team from the North advancing to the national stage.