Blackrock College go into their World Schools Rugby Championship plate final in Zimbabwe today against Fijian school Ratu Kadavulevu in what promises to be a stern climax to their highly impressive campaign. Blackrock played a faultless game against top South African school Helpmekaar in their play-off match on Sunday, to win 32-12, but Kadavulevu looked equally strong in their comprehensive dismissal of host school Prince Edward.

The plate is contested by the four second place teams from the qualifying rounds to decide on the fifth to eighth positions in the championship. Blackrock coach Vincent Costello is more than satisfied with the performances of the team so far despite the narrow loss to South African school Hoerskool Monument that could have sent them into the cup final. "The playing conditions out here have been as difficult as you can get," he said, "but nobody let that get in the way. It's a mid-afternoon kick-off for the final so again you're talking about playing under intense heat."

The cup final concludes the championship as New Zealand school Kelston Boys face Blackrock's conquerors Hoerskool Monument for the honour of World Schools Champions.