Affies or Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool is recognised as one of the top rugby schools in South Africa and the World. Their supporters are quite vocal about their chances to end as the best 1stXV in South Africa, and admittingly they should end in the Top 3 at least, considering that the 2025 season is predicted to be highly competitive and full of upsets.
Their 2024 season was a season of "what if" losing to Paul Roos, Grey College and Paarl Gim by five points or less and ended the 2024 season ranked fourth behind the schools they lost to.
The 2025 crop of players will be the "last" of the Ryno van der Merwe scouted crop, whereafter, Ruan Jacobs took over at the end of 2023 as Head of Rugby.
Five players were part of the U16 EPD group while seven boys were just named for the last U17 EPD camp of 2024. From the names and the positions they were invited to it is clear that Affies once again will have a brutal pack of forwards while their backline will also be exciting. A lack of outside backs in the EPD is evident however several boys were "blooded" out wide in 2024 with the name of Hugo Snyman often mentioned as one of the surprises of 2025.
The provisional fixtures do not show any surprises with Affies playing some of the best 1stXV's in South Africa.
A confirmed addition to the 2025 season is the KES Easter Festival. Hopefully, they can face a highly-rated Rondebosch at KES and maybe Noordheuwel.
EPD Squad players with positions in brackets: Albert Smit (7), Charl Els (2), Christiaan de Wet (4), Hannes Nagel (3), Hendre Lombaard (4), Martin van Niekerk (5), Morne Bisset (3), Nicolaas Grobler (12), Roal Kruger (1), Ruben Groenewald (10), Stefan McDonald (8), Zirk Meyer (9).
Provisional Fixtures:
08/03 Diamantveld @ Kimberley
15/03 Helmekaar @ Affies
28/03 Drostdy HTS @ Noord/Suid - Paul Roos
31/03 Paarl Boishaai @ Noord/Suid - Paul Roos
12/04 Paarl Gimnasium @ Paarl Gimnasium
19/04 Noordheuwel @ KES Easter Festival - KES
21/04 Selborne @ KES Easter Festival - KES
26/04 Garsfontein @ Affies
01/05 Paul Roos @ Wildeklawer - Diamantveld
03/05 Boland Landbou @ Wildeklawer - Diamantveld
17/05 Grey College @ Grey College
24/05 KES @ Affies
31/05 Jeppe @ Jeppe
26/07 Maritzburg College @ Affies
02/08 Waterkloof @ Affies
09/08 Pretoria Boys High @ Affies