We continue our effort to predict the top 1stXV's in the country for 2023. Oakdale ended 2022 at number 10 and my prediction is that they will end at number 10 again at the end of 2023.
Some may look at our prediction with a bit of scepticism, however, taking into account that Oakdale will only play four of their fifteen matches at home it will be an outstanding year if they can hang on to the tenth spot.
Adding to their limited home matches, we also took into account that they will face a possible 8 top 10 1stXVs, which makes our prediction a reflection of the respect we have for Oakdale and their rugby intellect.
Oakdale starts their season against Waterkloof in George at the Outeniqua 100th Rugby Festival which should be an early indication of the success of their pre-season preparations. Waterkloof struggled in 2022 but Oakdale can be sure of a serious backlash from Waterkloof who ended 28th at the end of 2022.
Rondebosch and Helpmekaar will be nice "warm-up" games before the serious business start. Their only "soft" games the rest of the season will be against a potent EG Jansen, Drostdy HTS and a Stellenberg who will be out to prove that they deserve their Western Province Premier "A" promotion.
To summarise if Oakdale ends up in the Top 10 of the Ruggas.co.za rankings it will be a brilliant season which took exceptional coaching, guts and talent. However, if they pull off a surprise or two along the way a Top 5 placing is definitely possible.
Fixtures 2023
18/03/2023 Waterkloof @ Outeniqua 100th Festival
25/03/2023 Rondebosch @ Oakdale
01/04/2023 Helpmekaar @ Noord/Suid Rugby Festival at Affies
04/04/2023 Garsfontein @ Noord/Suid Rugby Festival at Affies
15/04/2023 Paarl Boishaai @ Oakdale
22/04/2023 Framesby @ Oakdale
29/04/2023 Affies @ Wildeklawer at Diamantveld, Kimberley.
01/05/2023 EG Jansen @ Wildeklawer at Diamantveld, Kimberley.
20/05/2023 Stellenberg @ Stellenberg
27/05/2023 Outeniqua @ Outeniqua
10/06/2023 Paarl Gim @ Paarl Gim
22/07/2023 Paul Roos @ Paul Roos
29/07/2023 Drostdy HTS @ Drostdy HTS
05/08/2023 Grey College @ Grey College
19/08/2023 Boland Landbou @ Oakdale