The weekend in the Noordvaal schoolboy rugby fans will be spoilt for choice with several top schools battling it out for bragging rights and silverware.
Affies will host Grey College on Saturday in the match that the Affies faithfulls believe they can win, although they will quickly add that it will be a close match.
Affies only lost two matches in 2024, Paarl Gim (19-20) and earlier to Paul Roos (25-30) while Grey's only loss was to Jeppe (19-22). Grey's only BIG scalp was the 29-27 win over Paarl Gim. And the Affies supporters will be quick to remind you that they did beat Jeppe 39-26. However, everybody knows that form, wins and losses count nothing when the two sides face each other between the white lines "oppie Plaas."
The big difference between the two teams will be the decision-making on the day. Affies have a forward pack from hell, however, it does sometimes seem that they are set on a fifteen-man rugby gameplan, no matter what. Admittedly their backline, despite several injury challenges, is becoming an interesting option, unfortunately despite adding some great u17 speed they still will not be a match for teams like Grey College. If I were the coach .........., they would have lost a lot more matches already.
Grey College on the other hand have a more than capable pack of forwards, however, they have a backline that is brilliant if not more than brilliant. And this is where decision-making will come into play. Grey College know its strengths and weaknesses and they adapt their gameplan as and when needed. Who will win? I know what my heart wants but my brain is a bastard.
Helpmekaar hosts EG Jansen on Saturday and it will be an interesting match if Helpmekaar is on fire. Helpmekaar is blowing hot and cold in 2024 with their losses against Affies (21-45), Oakdale (22-41), Monnas (25-31) and Paarl Gim (10-31) mainly attributed to their struggles against teams with macro packs, depriving their extremely dangerous backline of quality attacking ball. A lot was expected from EG Jansen leading into 2024, however, they had a "surprising" at that stage of the season, a loss to Waterkloof and showed against Paarl Gim that they are capable of beating any of the "Super Schools" at any day. The most impressive from EG Jansen is their super levels of fitness as they showed during the season, especially against Monnas and Paarl Gim, that they will squeeze the last notes out of the fat lady with their attitude and passion during that final quarter. EG Jansen should cruise the final 20 minutes.
Garsfontein will travel to Marais Viljoen to what the "Garsies Haters" predict will be Garsfontein's seventh loss in a row this season. Despite the losses which were all close matches except for the match against Grey College (10-38) at Wildeklawer. Marais Viljoen has lost three of their last four matches and admittingly their win against Pietersburg who is not competing in the NoordVaal Cup competition was not that important if taken into account what the rest of their season is looking like. Garsfontein is looking for the missing "link" which if found will allow them to rebuild their season to a spectacular NoordVaal Cup final. Garsfontein should win with relative ease, however .........
Menlopark will host Waterkloof and reports of an oncoming Blue Tornado should scare the living daylights of them. However, we all know that Menlopark is busy rebuilding their rugby program and the results of the juniors should be of more importance than that of the 1stXV.
According to many of the Noordvaal supporters they will be heading to Krugersdorp where Monnas will host their neighbours, Noordheuwel in the battle for the crown of the Wild West. The Noordheuwel supported is rather vocal that they will beat Monnas at home and they have reason to believe that they might just do that.
Noordheuwel is on an unbeaten streak of thirteen matches and last lost to KES on 16 March. Impressive? Not really if you look at the list of their victims. The biggest scalps were that of Stellenberg who at that stage was still looking for their first win of the season, and admittingly an impressive win over Outeniqua the ninth of March. The rest of their season was wins, and trying not to be demeaning, against teams that do not compete against the top rugby schools.
Monnas on the other hand had already lost to Paarl Gim (21-38), Westville (22-25), EG Jansen (15-32) and Paul Roos (27-29) all top 25 schools while Paarl Gim and Paul Roos are top 4 opponents. However, Monnas has have a macro pack but one has to question their level of fitness. Maybe the loss of guru Jan van Rooyen was a "biiiiiig" loss. Therefore if Noordheuwel forces those heavy boys of Monnas to run a lot they could just cause a massive upset. Naaah.
Pretoria Boys High will host Jeppe on Saturday and although not many will give Pretoria Boys Hign a chance to win one must take your hat of to the rocker and Director of Rugby Paul Anthony and his coaches who decided to take on the best in the country in their growth back to one of the best rugby schools in South Africa.
Pretoria Boys High lost seven of their ten matches the season, however, it was against some of the top schools in South Africa. Jeppe on the other hand only lost to Garsfontein (31-37), Paarl Boishaai (19-45), Affies (26-39) and KES (28-38) in their season of at this stage thirteen matches.
And then extremely important Jeppe has beaten Pretoria Boys High (36-20) in their second match of their season. And this is where you never underestimate Paul Anthony and his coaches. They will be ready. Ask Affies what it is like to face the "underdog" Pretoria Boys High.
NoordVaal
Affies vs Grey College
Alberton vs Eldoraigne
Ben Vorster vs Hugenote
Heidelberg Volkies vs Wesvalia
Helpmekaar vs EG Jansen
Lichtenburg vs Jeugland
Ligbron vs Montana
Marais Viljoen vs Garsfontein
Menlopark vs Waterkloof
Middelburg vs Klerksdorp
Middelburg HTS vs Oos Moot
Monnas vs Noordheuwel
Nelspruit vs Rustenburg
Potch Volkies vs Potch Gim
Pretoria Boys High vs Jeppe
Randburg vs Piet Retief
St Benedicts vs Northcliff
St David's vs St Stithians
St Johns vs Parktown
Secunda vs Die Anker
Transvalia vs Kempton Park
Wagpos vs Merensky
