Monnas will be desperate to start their 2026 season with a statement win in Kimberley against Diamantveld on Saturday.
It is both teams’ first outing of 2026, and despite guessing the development of the juniors and the efforts in their preseason, we do not have a lot to go on.
What we do know is that Monnas’ head coach, Jannie du Plessis, will need another year or two in his first coaching stint since his retirement to establish himself as a coach worthy of coaching at the top level of schoolboy rugby. And please, I do not hereby state he is or never will be a top coach, he just need time to develop the skills to become one, and I hope the Monnas community will support him.
Diamantveld, on the other hand have one of the best coaching setups in the country. From Head of Sport Oloff Bergh, his 1stXV head coach Vlos Molnar, and his assistant coaches are acknowledged as some of the best available.
Diamantveld’s coaching staff have coached them to one of their best season’s ever in 2025, while Monnas’ has slumped to one of the worst seasons ever.
What we can expect is a well-drilled pack of forwards from Monnas physically trying to overpower their opponents while also showing glimpses of one or two brilliant players out wide later in the game. Diamantveld will be happy to absorb the Monnas’ pressure and use the increasing opportunities to attack to their full advantage.
Who will win? My money will be on Diamamntveld to cause an “upset”, but the “blood” will flow before the Witbulle will accept defeat. It is going to be very close.