The Noord/Suid Rugby Festival is hosted at Affies from Friday until Tuesday next week. A brilliant idea by Springbok Pieter Roussouw has grown into arguably the best 1stXV rugby festival in South Africa.
The North was "caught" unprepared at the 2021 festival resulting in some humiliating losses. The results will be celebrated by the South forever and forgotten as soon as possible by the North.
Apparently, the North will be better prepared with several stars of the South travelling to Affies "undercook".
Here we look at the schools from the North and attempt to make an early prediction of their chances to "succeed" at this great festival.
An exciting North vs North game will be between Nelspruit and Pretoria Boys High in the first 1stCXV game on Friday @ 13h45. Both schools had a slow start to the season and this game should bring exciting running rugby with Pretoria Boys High maybe the more physical team of the two.
Affies: They started their season with two good away wins against Diamantveld (40-03) and Helpmekaar (21-14). Unfortunately, they do not have that macro pack of forwards we got used to and that will be their Achilles heel this year. Against Helpmekaar in the wet, they struggled upfront, which nearly cost them that game. Affies will have to speed up the game and use the skills of their forwards and backs to overrun their opponents. Moments of brilliant interplay by their forwards and backs were visible against Helpmekaar AND it seems that the "Affieguts" is back.
EG Jansen: EG may be the surprise of the Noord/Suid, however, not a good one. Apparently, this team is not up to the standards that previous teams set and showed that with their early-season results. A win against a struggling Transvalia (26-12) was followed up with a 33-35 loss to Nelspruit. However, do not write them off as the boys from the East Rand is known for their fight especially if they are considered to be the underdogs.
Garsfontein: I had the opportunity to attend their "unofficial" game against Pretoria Boys High which they won 31-00. Garsfontein is a well-balanced team with its backline with several players that can shred any opposition's defence to piece. Definately a top 10 team and with a little luck a top 5 candidate.
Helpmekaar: Helpies' first game was a win against Michaelhouse (24-20) with an "unlucky" loss against Affies (14-21) a week ago. Michaelhouse lost to Glenwood 17-10 the past weekend. Helpmekaar were "unlucky" against Affies, if one or two passes stuck they could have easily drawn or even won that game. Helpmekaar have a big pack of "bullies" that does not shy away from the physical. Unfortunately due to the wet weather, not much was seen of the backline.
Menlopark: The only northern school that did not play any warm-up games. However, if one looks at the performance of their junior teams in 2019 they are one of the hot favourites to be a very good team. Big forwards and silky backs according to "informed" sources.
Monnas: The Witbulle is going to be extremely physical with their big forwards and expect their silky backline to be match winners. They played trails against Pietersburg and followed that up with a big win against a very good Welkom Gim (45-20) at home. Could this be the team that they dreamt of in the Centenary year?
Noordheuwel: It is said that Noordheuwel does have a better than normal 1stXV than in recent years, however, they did not have a good start to their season going down to Rustenburg (20-26) two weeks ago. In their second game, they were looking a lot better against Hugenote (Springs) with a solid 57-13 win.
Waterkloof: They already managed two wins in 2022, Montana (29-11) and Transvalia (12-03). Both wins were against schools that will not be invited to this festival, however, with a few players said to make their first appearance at the Noord/Suid festival they should not be a walkover. Apparently, they have a macro pack that will be used as and when needed with great effect.