One would expect the pace of schoolboy rugby to slow down following two weeks of Festivals that delivered brilliant matches between some of the top teams in South Africa, however, ...........................
One can not be wrong to claim that the match between Garsfontein and Affies is the one to attend if you are in the NoordVaal region. Apart from bragging rights for the next twelve months, the Pretoria Cup is also up for grabs. The Pretoria Cup is played for by the 1stXV teams of Garsfontein who made it their own since 2022, Affies, Menlopark and Waterkloof. Unfortunately, Waterkloof and Menlopark were mere onlookers during the first two years, however, although nobody expects anything to change Waterkloof and Menlopark has seen a big improvement in their performance in 2024 and a surprise could still determine the home of the Pretoria Cup in 2025.
Garsfontein must be the favourites to complete the treble over Affies despite many writing Garsfontein off due to their performances at the Noord/Suid Rugby Festival. Garsfontein started their season with a win against Jeppe, whereafter they lost to Oakdale 19-24 and Paarl Boishaai 36-38. Garsfontein have a big pack of forwards with an exciting backline that is steadily improving as the season continues, however, their one weakness seems to be the defence of a lead in the second half. Jeppe scored two late tries to give the Garsfontein supporters a heart attack. Against Paarl Boishaai they concede two late tries in the final five minutes of the match to lose 36-28.
Affies on the other hand won against Diamantveld (33-10), Helpmekaar (45-21) and Stellenberg (38-11). Their only loss was against Paul Roos (25-30) at the Noord/Suid Rugby Festival. Unfortunately, Affies is becoming like the French national team with one big difference. One never knows what French team will pitch up for a test. Affies, on the other hand, nobody knows which gameplan will be played. Affies have a massive pack of forwards which is brilliantly coach and will dominate any pack of forwards in the country. Against Helpmekaar Affies used that big pack of forwards, dominating the scrums and lineouts and scored several tries from mauls. Against Paul Roos Affies also dominated up front, however, gone was the brilliant decision-making and the crowd at the Noord/Suid festival was treated to a stuck Affies record. Affies were unimaginative at the lineouts, unable to vary their play to such an extent that Paul Roos won the Affies line-outs with amazing ease on the Paul Roos' tryline, which cost Affies the match.
Who will win this brutal fight? It all depends on who travels to Garsfontein. The Incredible Hulk, the one-trick pony or the tooth fairy.
The second match we look at will be the match between Jeppe who will host St Stithians. Following Jeppe's brilliant win over Grey College, it would be considered an easy match for Jeppe, however, St Stitians is still unbeaten with wins over St Benedict's (62-03), St Andrew's College (27-14) and Clifton (12-07). Add to that the big "X" that win over Jeppe placed on their backs, making them the team to beat we will see St Stitians adding a lot more eagerness and passion to kill the Lion killers.
EG Jansen is seemingly on their way to a brilliant season, unbeaten after seven matches in 2024, and will travel to Middelburg HTS who only lost to Waterkloof in the six matches they played. EG Jansen should cruise to an easy win, however, "should" in Middelburg can quickly turn into a "siestog".
NoordVaal fixtures for the week ending 07 April 2024
Centurion vs Dr Malan
Garsfontein vs Affies
Die Anker vs Lichtenburg
Heidelberg Volkies vs Hugenote Springs
Jeppe vs St Stithians
Jeugland vs Potch Volkies
KES vs St John's
Marais Viljoen vs Zwartkop
Merensky vs Ellisras
Middelburg vs Oos Moot
Middelburg HTS vs EG Jansen
Nelspruit vs Eldoraigne
Noordheuwel vs Klerksdorp
Northcliff vs Parktown
Oos-Moot vs Middelburg
Pietersburg vs Potch Gim
Pretoria Boys High vs St Alban's
Rustenburg vs Montana Bulls
Secunda vs Piet Retief
St Benedicts vs St Davids
Waterkloof vs Transvalia
Wesvalia vs Oosterlig