The 2023 schoolboy rugby fixtures in Pretoria will have an extra edge as the top 1st XV of 2023 will receive the Pretoria Cup for their efforts. Last year's champions, Garsfontein 1stXV are seen by most as the favourites to regain the title as the best 1stXV in Pretoria.
Garsfontein had some changes to its structures and staff. Most notable was their Director of Rugby, Hendré Marnitz decision to accept a post at Maritzburg College. In reaction, Garsfontein made interesting changes to their structures with Gustav Theunissen appointed as the interim Director of Rugby, while Sylvester Booysen was appointed as Director of Coaching.
Booysen's appointment will spearhead the development of the junior structures at Garsfontein. Most schoolboy rugby supporters that did not appreciate Garsfontein !stXV's successes on the rugby fields accused them of being a one-team school that was willing to buy success at the top level. Booysen has already proved himself as a top coach and a rugby administrator and the rest of Pretoria will have to sharpen up their efforts in the junior age groups as Booysen will have a major influence on Garsfontein's rugby.
Looking at the Garsfontein 1stXV it will once again be one of the top 1stXVs in South Africa. Magic can be expected from their backline with one or two new faces set to debut in the midfield. Garsfontein might find it a bit difficult up front as the lack of a meanie or two might be a concern. However, to underestimate them up front will be stupid as Garsfontein's pack of forwards was also seen as a "weak point" in 2022 but ended up teaching most of the top rugby schools a lesson upfront.
Affies also will see some changes made in their structures. Ryno van der Merwe, head of rugby was promoted to Head of Sport at Affies with no clear indication of who will replace him as Head of Rugby which also could lead to the appointment of a new 1stXV coach.
Van der Merwe said in 2022 after the completion of the rugby season that Affies is at 60% of where he is aiming at. This must be a scary thought for their opponents, taking into account the performance of their 1st XV in 2022. It is well known that the first crop of van der Merwe's scouted group of players will be the u/17 group and a lot is expected from that age group. Taking this into account we should only see Affies at close to 90% in 2024.
However, the u/18 group of Affies will be welcomed with open arms at any top rugby school and their opponents are well aware of that. If gossip can be trusted Affies will see the return of their much-feared makro pack of forwards with their backline maybe still not where their supporters want to see them.
Affies' gameplan made them the surprise package of 2022 and 2023 will see them fine-tuning this fast-paced gameplan combined with a top-class fitness level, which made them one of the top 1st XV's in South Africa.
Menlopark made their move coaching-wise, already late last year with the appointment of Nico Luus as Director of Rugby. Luus was quickly welcomed to the boiling pot of schoolboy rugby and after being taught some anger management lessons, one could see his hand almost immediately in the rugby that the Menlopark 1stXV started to play.
Knowing Luus and listening to gossip several new faces will make their debut when the "new" Menlopark 1stXV make their appearance in early 2023. However, although they will be competitive and most probably cause an upset or two, one must be fair and should see Luus' influence only taking proper effect in a year or two.
The fourth member of the Pretoria Cup is Waterkloof's 1st XV. Cobus van Dyk, Head of Sport and SA Schools "A" team head coach combined with Lukas Holtzhauzen, Head of Rugby has been working tirelessly for the past three seasons to reshape Waterkloof rugby with "limited" success at the 1stXV level. However, one can be certain that Waterkloof will not be happy to receive the "also competed certificate" and their hard work in the junior age groups will start to have a great effect at the top. 2023 should see Waterkloof as with Menlopark making life extremely difficult for their two more favourited opponents.
The effect of the return of Paul Anthony will see Pretoria Boys High upsetting their opponents more than disappointing the supporters. Pretoria Boys High does play Affies and Garsfontein in 2023 and hopefully, we can beg for them to organise fixtures against Waterkloof and Menlopark in the future. Claiming the Pretoria Cup without Pretoria Boys High competing will always leave you with the question "what if"
Elsewhere, the resurgence of Oos Moot was dealt a major blow with the announcement that their Head of Sport, Christiaan Gouws and Springbok and Biokineticist Danie Coetzee has joined Noordheuwel in Krugersdorp.
Pretoria Cup fixtures:
15/04/2023 - Garsfontein vs Affies
06/05/2023 - Garsfontein vs Waterkloof
13/05/2023 - Menlopark vs Garsfontein
20/05/2023 - Waterkloof vs Menlopark
03/06/2023 - Menlopark vs Affies
29/07/2023 - Affies vs Waterkloof
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