Matric 2025: Top IEB vs Public Results
While the national NSC pass rate climbed to 88%, the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) recorded a near-perfect 98.31% pass rate — only marginally down from 2024.
More than 89% of IEB candidates qualified for Bachelor’s degree entry, reinforcing the sector’s dominance.
IEB vs Public (NSC) Results 2025
| System | Pass Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IEB (Private) | 98.31% | 89%+ candidates eligible for Bachelor’s entry |
| NSC (Public/Government) | 88% | Record high, up from 87.3% in 2024 |
Check your 2025 matric results online
IEB candidates:
Only learners who wrote Independent Examinations Board exams can retrieve results on the official IEB portal. See key dates in the table above and log in here:
👉🏾 IEB Online Results Portal
NSC candidates:
Learners who wrote the National Senior Certificate can access results via the Department of Basic Education platforms:
👉🏾 DBE Results Portal
👉🏾 eGovernment Matric Results
What changed from 2024?
A comparison with last year shows remarkable consistency. Schools such as Redhill, Roedean, St Mary’s Waverley, Somerset College and King David Linksfield all retained top-tier status. However, Midstream College surged into the top three nationally, while St John’s College remains the only boys’ school in the overall top 10.
Full district-level comparisons are available here: Ranking Top School Districts: Matric Results 2024 vs 2025.
Top 10 Best Performing Private Schools – 2025
Private schools continue to demonstrate academic strength with high distinction counts, top-1% subject rankings, and entries on the IEB Outstanding Achievement List.
Ranked by average distinctions per candidate, overall pass rates, and Bachelor endorsements:
For families still trying to access results, see our step-by-step guide: How to Check Your 2024 Matric Results – 4 Official Platforms.
| Rank | School | Location | Avg Distinctions | Pass Rate | Bachelor Pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Redhill School | Johannesburg | 4.30 | 100% | 100% |
| 2 | Roedean School for Girls | Johannesburg | 4.21 | 100% | 100% |
| 3 | Midstream College | Gauteng | 4.20 | 100% | 99% |
| 4 | St Mary’s Waverley | Johannesburg | 4.15 | 100% | 99% |
| 5 | Somerset College | Western Cape | 4.15 | 100% | 100% |
| 6 | Durban Girls’ College | KZN | 4.03 | 100% | 100% |
| 7 | Herschel Girls’ School | Cape Town | 3.90 | 100% | 100% |
| 8 | King David Linksfield | Johannesburg | 3.87 | 100% | 98.6% |
| 9 | Kingsmead College | Johannesburg | 3.80 | 100% | 99% |
| 10 | St John’s College | Johannesburg | 3.70 | 100% | 99% |
Source: IEB 2025 school reports
Standout Schools & Top Students
Acudeo College Kirkney – Home of South Africa’s Overall #1 IEB Achiever
- Kamogelo Tshabalala – 8 distinctions, 99% Mathematics, Overall Top Achiever for Independent Schools in South Africa
Why Kamogelo ranks #1 nationally:
While several learners achieved 10 or even 11 distinctions, National rankings prioritise the highest combined point aggregate across all subjects, not only the number of distinctions. Kamogelo recorded the top overall numerical score in the country and was officially named the IEB Overall Top Achiever by the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, as seen in the image below, reflecting exceptional consistency across every subject.
Redhill School – 309 distinctions across 88 candidates; only SA school offering both IEB & IB Diploma
- Chad Bacher – 8 distinctions, 95% aggregate
- Rohan Curtis – 9 distinctions
- Demi Symanowitz – 9 distinctions
Roedean School for Girls – 50%+ scored above 80%; 18 subjects in the national top 1%; 3 Outstanding Achievers
Midstream College – Biggest climber in 2025
- Jenhara Rooplall – 11 distinctions (97%)
- Imani Ravhulani – 10 distinctions, STEM focus
Somerset College – Western Cape powerhouse
- 410 distinctions from 98 pupils
- 59 students with A averages
- 40 national top-1% subject awards
(For historical context on elite IEB performance, see: IEB Matric Class of 2024 Achieves Highest Pass Rate in 5 Years.)
Top 10 National School Achievers – Class of 2025 (IEB)
Results released January 12, 2026
| Rank | Student | School | Distinctions | Average / Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kamogelo Tshabalala | Acudeo College Kirkney | 8 | 99% Mathematics – #1 National Private School Student |
| 2 | Jenhara Rooplall | Midstream College | 11 | 97% average |
| 3 | Luca van Tonder | Sacred Heart College | 11 | 93.8% average |
| 4 | Ruhan Gosai | Sacred Heart College | 10 | 94% average |
| 5 | Jordan Dos Santos | St Benedict’s College | 10 | 93.6% average |
| 6 | Siza Gule | St John’s College | 9 | 94% average, Harvard admit |
| 7 | Kelly Philips | Dainfern College | 9 | 99% Mathematics |
| 8 | Dristhi Ramsumer | Crawford International North Coast | 9 | National Outstanding Achiever |
| 9 | Sophia Babaya | St Mary’s School, Waverley | 9 | National Outstanding Achiever |
| 10 | Rachel Deppe | Durban Girls’ College | 9 | 90% average |
Returning champions vs new entrants
Held their ground from 2024: Redhill School, Roedean, St Mary’s Waverley, Somerset College, King David Linksfield
Biggest improvements: Midstream College (up from 5th → 3rd), Durban Girls’ College (entered top 10)
Dropped out: SAHETI and Helpmekaar slipped despite 100% pass rates — edged out on distinctions per candidate.
For context on the slight national dip: 2025 IEB Results: Lowest in Three Years — Pass Rate Still Above 98%.
Why private schools dominate
Education analysts cite:
- Smaller classes & specialist teachers
- Advanced STEM facilities
- Structured exam preparation
- Global university pipelines
- Strong parental investment
Yet critics warn of inequality: only 12% of SA learners access this ecosystem.
The Reddford House story – New entrant
- 100% pass across three campuses
- 240 distinctions
- 94% Bachelor passes
CEO Ravi Nadasen said: “High expectations and personalised support show what is possible in a non-selective environment.”
What this means for 2026
- Expect stronger competition from co-ed schools
- Girls’ schools continue to outperform on distinctions
- STEM subjects remain decisive differentiators
Have your say
Did your school make the list? Share your results with us at info@nowinsa.co.za.
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