In a late change, Middelburg HTS agreed to travel to Gauteng after the Gauteng Department of Basic Education stopped schools from Gauteng to travel to Mpumalanga. The match between Nelspruit and Menlopark has also been moved to Pretoria.
The Virseker Cup Competition is the main competition in the Virseker Competition. The Virseker Competition has had many previous names including the Administrators Cup and Beeld competition.
The first round of the 2021 competition will be played tomorrow.
Helpmekaar vs Marais Viljoen
Although Helpmekaar has lost all their "pre-season matches" at Monnas and Affies during the April holidays they have played with passion and guts that must make them one of the early favourites in the competition. They lost to Stellenberg (12-34), Outeniqua (14-41) nd Paarl Gim (05-52).
Marais Viljoen was a last-minute inclusion in the Noord/Suid Festival after Waterkloof was stopped by the Department of Basic Education to participate. They won their first game against Transvalia (29-18) but lost both games at the Noord/Suid Festival. They lost to Durbanville (08-85) and Outeniqua (62-03).
Marais Viljoen showed a lot of grit in their games at Noord/Suid although they were outplayed on the scoreboard. Marais Viljoen has the fight of a big dog in a relative "small" body.
Helpmekaar is the "better" team of the two and also showed a big heart against Outeniqua. Helpmekaar a brilliantly balanced team that has mastered the rt to play 15 man rugby at a great pace.
Helpmekaar my favourite to win this match.
Middelburg HTS vs Garsfontein
Middelburg HTS lost both their matches at the Noord/Suid festival. They lost to Stellenberg (10-19) and Duineveld (21-39). Middelburg HTS has a big pack of forwards that can control the game. The might of their forwards almost caused an "upset" against Duineveld as they controlled the second half.
Garsfontein had a "brilliant" start to the season with a 33-17 win over Nelspruit at Monnas. However, two losses at the Noord/Suid Festival did not do their egos well. They lost to Paarl Gim (00-84) and Oakdale (12-41).
Garsfontein will be pushed hard by the big boys from Middelburg HTS BUT the speed Garsfontein played against Nelspruit will make it very difficult for Middelburg to hang on.
I do believe that Garsfontein will be one of the finalists come finals time in the VirSeker Cup competition, however, then their pack of forwards will have to stand their ground.
Monnas vs Waterkloof
Everything points to an easy win for Monnas. Waterkloof is one of the few top teams that still have to play a game as they were barred from competing by the Gauteng Department of Basic Education.
Monnas has played three games already this season. They have beaten Drostdy HTS (28-26) and lost to Stellenberg (33-34) and Paarl Boishaai (18-34). Although the loss against Stellenberg was a big surprise the Wit Bulle showed some signs of a brilliant team in the making.
I expect the pack of Monnas will become an even bigger threat as the season continue and their match fitness improves.
Noordheuwel vs EG Jansen
Noordheuwel has lost all three of the games they played in 2021. They lost against Outeniqua 17-27, Paarl Boishaai 7-79 and 5-36 against Durbanville.
EG Jansen only lost one of the three games they played already this year. They won against Ben Vorster (31-15) and Welkom Gim (38-07) before going down to Grey College (15-43)
This is a very difficult game to call as both teams have powerful forwards and exciting backs. However, I will put my money on EG Jansen ................. if I am forced to make a decision.