Week 7 of the 2024 rugby season in the NoordVaal is set to produce a few upsets as the NWU competitions move into playoff mode. And then the big one on "die Plaas" when Affies host the number one ranked 1stXV, Paarl Gimnasium on Saturday at 13:00.
Affies played five matches this year losing only to Paul Roos at the Noord/Suid Rugby Festival, and amittingly even against Paul Roos were the better team on the day. However, although Affies first fifty minutes is an advertisement for a forward-dominated gameplan with almost no risk and mistakes, winning rugby, it seems that thereafter they believe they can run the other team's defence to pieces. This attitude results in mistakes on the defence as well as attack which gives their opponents plenty of opportunities to attack and close the gap on the scoreboard to such an extent that it gives the Affies supporters heart attacks.
Paarl Gim, who is unbeaten this season, on the other hand seldom have moments of madness and sticks to their game plan whatever the scoreboard reflects. They have a competitive pack of forwards combined with plenty of brilliance at the back and most importantly, they never panic and believe in the process.
Can Affies stop the Paarl Gim march to an unbeaten 2024 season? I do believe that the Affies pack up front is the best in the country and will dominate whoever they face, however, the decision-making at the back will be the determining factor. Affies need to keep Paarl Gim in their own half, using precision kicks and grubbers, to stop the brilliance of Paarl Gim on the attack.
Ruggas.co.za refrain to name players who are stars or %$@&, however, the battle at inside centre will be brutal, fast and exciting.
In the NWU Skolesport Reeks Menlopark will travel to Nelspruit to defend their unbeaten status in this competition against Nelspruit whose only loss in this competition was against Oos Moot. Menlopark had the better season up to date but we all know that beating Nelspruit at home is never easy, and we are not referring to only the referees.
EG Jansen will host Waterkloof in a much-anticipated match. Both teams are unbeaten in the NWU Skolesport Reeks with EG Jansen unbeaten after eight matches this season. We expect a physical game, it is EG Jansen, played at a blistering pace with the two teams being separated by less than ten points at the end of the match.
Jeppe will host Westville on Saturday in a match that could surprise a few supporters. Jeppe is still riding the wave of their win over Grey College, steamrolling Queens College, Brandwag and St Stithians. Westville on the other hand lost three of their seven matches at this stage, however, their win over Monnas combined with their loss against DHS thereafter should be a warning to Jeppe to not underestimate their visitors.
KES should stroll to an easy win against St Stithians while Middelburg HTS should do the same against Kempton Park.
A lot of action, go and support.
NoordVaal fixtures for the weekend ending 14 April 2024
Affies vs Paarl Gim
Dr Malan vs Sasolburg HTS
EG Jansen vs Waterkloof
Eldoraigne vs Oos-Moot
Heidelberg Volkies vs Potch Gim
Hugentoe Springs vs Pietersburg
Jeppe vs Westville
KES vs Parktown
Klerksdorp vs Die Anker
Middelburg HTS vs Kempton Park
Montana Pretoria vs Potch Volkies
Nelspruit vs Menlopark
Noord Heuwel vs Lichtenburg
Oosterlig vs Zwartkop
Rustenburg vs Marais Viljoen
Secunda vs Hans Moore
Wesvalia vs Jeugland