Garsfontein Hoërskool has released their fixtures for the 2024 season. Although Garsfontein ended the 2023 season ranked 2nd (1stXV) the attention will be on their junior teams where Director of Rugby Sylvester Booysen promised fireworks.
What is expected from Garsfontein - 2023 was arguably their best 1stXV year ever, only losing 09-23 to Grey College at the Wildeklawer Festival. Unfortunately, the rest of their teams could not claim the same, however, it is said in Pretoria that their 2024 u/14 group could be one of the top 5 in the country.
Garsfontein 1stXV will play 18 games in 2024 if they reach the final of the Noordvaal Cup, including 10 of the top 25 schools of 2023. Unfortunately, this is where it becomes tricky for Garsfontein. Due to their success in 2023, they can only earn log points from 5 matches according to the Ruggas.co.za rankings system which rewards a team for the quality of the teams they play against.
A good indication of the possible performance of a 1stXV is normally the success of their U16 group two years before. However, attending this year's 1stXV "meet your players/coach" function held a week ago it was clear that Garsfontein will be a lot stronger than the U16 squad of 2022.
Will Garsfontein be able to improve on their 2023 season? This year we are blessed with several "dream teams", however a Garsfontein with one of the more powerful packs of forwards and definitely a brilliant backline will be even more difficult to beat in 2024, making their match against Grey College at the Wildeklwer festival most probably the decider in 2024. Their front row will be a big surprise and threat to their opponents especially.
Fixtures 2024
09/03/2024 - Pretoria Boys High (Away)
12/03/2024 - Jeppe (Home)
22/03/2024 - Oakdale (Noord/Suid @ Affies)
25/03/2024 - Paarl Boishaai (Noord/Suid @ Affies)
06/04/2024 - Affies (Home)
13/04/2024 - TBC
20/04/2024 - TBC
27/04/2024 - TBC
02/05/2024 - Stellenberg (Wildeklawer @ Diamantveld)
04/05/2024 - Grey College ((Wildeklawer @ Diamantveld)
11/05/2024 - Waterkloof (Away)
18/05/2024 - Marais Viljoen (Away)
25/05/2024 - Menlopark (Home)
01/06/2024 - Rustenburg (Home)
13/07/2024 - Nelspruit (Away)
20/07/2024 - Noordheuwel (Home)
27/07/2024 - Monnas (Away)
03/08/2024 - Helpmekaar (Home)
10/08/2024 - EG Jansen (Home)
17/08/2024 - NoordVaal Cup Semi-finals
24/08/2024 - NoordVaal Cup Finals