In the Noordvaal Region there is really just two games that really grab the attention this weekend. Affies vs KES is done and dusted read at Will It Be Joy Or Tears for The Boere At Die Plaas? The second one at Waterkloof where Waterkloof will attempt to beat Monnas.
Monnas has shown over the years that they always have a big forward pack with lightning-fast backs using their pack to dominate and after bullying their opponents, set their backline free. This was the case two weeks ago when they won the TUKS Series for macro school by bullying EG Jansen to win 50-13. After bullying EG for the first 35 minutes of the game their two centres scored two quick tries just before half time and after half time it was really one-way action. However, during the Lions Craven Week trials Jeppe showed that Monnas do not like having their opponents being in their face the whole time. Jeppe used the tips provided by Boland Landbou how to beat Monnas and did most of the playing at the trials with Monnas eventually winning 15-5 after scoring two late tries just before the end of the game.
Waterkloof on the other hand like to play a fifteen man expansive game plan losing, apart from that massacre at Bloemfontein only two more games against KES and Paarl Gim. And here comes the problem for Monnas the boys from Waterkloof never gives up and after their loss against Paarl Gim on the first day of the Wildeklawer festival, everybody expected them to lose BIG against Paul Roos. Adapting their style of play to counter the strengths Paul Roos displayed in beating Affies on the first day they surprised all to win comfortably beating Paul Roos 38-25. Waterkloof knows how to win close games and they can adapt their game plan AND win.
What makes things more interesting is that both teams' stars play the same position, hooker, 8th man, scrumhalf and flyhalf with the flyhalf in both sides controlling the game with an educated boot. If I call six people who's knowledge of schoolboy rugby I really rate three will say Monnas and the other three say Waterkloof.
In the rest of the Noordvaal, the VirSeker Beker is kicking off with the winners almost already penned. Eldoraigne should beat Centurion, Middelburg HTS an easy win against Middelburg, Wonderboom to good for Zwartkop and Lichtenburg continuing their good form beating Wagpos. Rustenburg vs Florida can go either way with Kempton Park an easy win against Jeugland.
Helpmekaar had to look urgently for competition as Ben Vorster pulled out of the fixture for the coming weekend and Ligbron were the only school prepared to play Helpies. A mismatch maybe but not if the match against Ligbron in 2016 is remembered. Helpmekaar came away a deservedly but lucky winner.
For all the fixtures and results for the week ending 14 May 2017 click here.