There were fewer matches but some top ones, involving the top sides, some of them in organised competitions, some playing for the sheer thrill of it, lots of them under pressure.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers believes robust hooker Bismarck du Plessis must be given a chance to stake his claim in the starting XV.
On Kwaggadag in George the home side, Hoërskool Outeniqua, beat visitors, Hoërskool Oudtshoorn, 37-10 in an FNB Classic Clash. The size of the victory was certainly not expected.
Noord-Kaap played host to their townsfolk from Diamantveld in an FNB Classic Clash on Saturday and then beat them 44-7, their biggest victory ever over their Griqua rivals.
Martin Johnson insists England have not suddenly become a poor side because of their 19-9 World Cup warm-up defeat to Wales in Cardiff.
Western Province will wait on the news of availability of Springboks Juan de Jongh and Gio Aplon before naming their team to face the Lions at Newlands in Cape Town on Friday.
For the second week in a row there was a big enthusiastic crowd at Faure Street Stadium in Paarl and for the second week in a row a tense match, also an FNB Classic Clash. Then Paarl Gim won but this time it was New Orleans who beat Klein Nederburg 15-9.
France coach Marc Lievremont has rung the changes for his team's second World Cup warm-up match against Ireland on Saturday, bringing in 13 new faces including Clermont centre Aurelien Rougerie.
Warren Gatland says Gethin Jenkins is unlikely to be fit for Wales' opening World Cup match against South Africa in Wellington on September 11.
Glenwood went over the Berg to Grey College in Bloemfontein and lost a brave encounter 28-6 on Saturday. The change in the second half came when SA Schools centre Jan Serfontein teetered the fray.
The Lions, despite their good start to the Currie Cup season, will have to improve if they want to stay at the top of the log, coach John Mitchell believes.
Chiliboy Ralepelle has been released for provincial duty by the Springboks and will play off the bench against Griquas on Friday.
Cradock High schools went over to Gill College in Somerset East for their FNB Classic Clash and won 16-14 in a tense match on the DA Coppens Field on Saturday.
South Africa captain John Smit has been left out of the starting XV for this Saturday's Tri Nations clash with New Zealand in Port Elizabeth.
Ryan Jones will captain Wales in their final World Cup warm-up game against Argentina at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.
