The Noord/Suid Rugby Festival is hosted at Affies from Friday until Tuesday next week. A brilliant idea by Springbok Pieter Roussouw has grown into arguably the best 1stXV rugby festival in South Africa.
The South was a lot better prepared for the 2021 Noord/Suid Festival than the North, and it showed on the field leaving several northern egos severely bruised.
Apparently, the North will be better prepared than the South in 2022 with some schools making the "Groot Trek" to Pretoria with limited game time.
Here we look at the schools from the South and attempt to make an early prediction of their chances to "succeed" at this great festival.
Boishaai: With coach Sean Erasmus back in charge a lot is expected from Boishaai, however, they will arrive in Pretoria with very little game time. Apart from a few chukkas played in secrecy not much is known of the 2022 squad. It is said that they might have a problem or two upfront and out wide, however, it must be said that Sean Erasmus knows how to make boys go through walls for the school, team and coach.
Drostdy HTS: Drostdy also arrives with Hans Coetzee in charge and will want to make an early good impression. They lost to a spirited Stellenberg (27-33) at the Boland Landbou Oesdag and won against Durbanville (26-00) a week ago. Skinner is that some big boys are being fed by Drostdy and will want to impose themselves against the boys from the North.
Durbanville: Durbanville also boasts a new coach in Peter Schutte who took over from his dad inlaw Hans Coetzee. A good win against Hermanus (20-00) was followed by a loss against Drostdy HTS (00-26) a week ago. Not much is known of Durbanville but expect them to come out guns blazing.
Glenwood: Glenwood is seemingly well prepared as they played several games with two teams in local games to ensure that they are well prepared for the Noord/Suid. The first "recognised" 1stXV game was against a struggling Northwood (42-19) followed by a win against Michaelhouse (17-10) a week ago. It will be worthwhile to mention Michaelhouse lost to Helpmekaar (20-24) two weeks ago.
Grey College: Once again the bookies' north of the Orange River favourites to end the season as the number one 1stXV in South Africa. Two impressive wins against Welkom Gim (64-15) and Duineveld (86-00) showed that this team will once again be the team to beat. As always the tempo at which Grey College play the game is astonishing and I know speed is no problem at the back with some exciting forwards to upset their opponents.
Oakdale: Oakdale did play chukkas against Paul Roos a week or so ago, and will once again arrive in Pretoria as an unknown factor ready to upset. Apparently, they are not as good as the 2021 team, however, good enough was said by "informed" sources.
Paarl Gimnasium: Paarl Gim is currently ranked as number 1 1stXV in South Africa by Ruggas.co.za and will not be handed over without a big fight. Paarl Gimnasium plays a game of "boring" rugby, slowly but effectively strangling all life from their helpless opponents. Admittingly brilliant to watch to enthusiasts that can appreciate the precision and brilliance of this proven game plan. Gimmies played only one game in preparation against Stellenberg and showed some early signs of what we can expect. A powerful pack of forwards that will be deadly in the scrums and brilliant at the lineouts which will be expertly directed by Liam Koen at flyhalf. All penalties that are in reach will be kicked to the corners and mauled.
Paul Roos: "Skinner" have this team as the weakest link of the "Boland School" mighty four schools, however, nobody mentions the chukkas against Oakdale which Paul Roos won 21-14? Personally, I can not wait for their battle with Affies on Saturday and Monday against Helpmekaar. These two fixtures will definately be of the hottest contested in the festival.
Stellenberg: Some say average kids from an average school coached by average coaches. I say talented kids coached by brilliant coaches into one of the top 1stXV teams in the country. However, I am sure Helpmekaar and Monnas will have their own opinions.
Stellenberg won against Drostdy HTS (33-27) and surprised us all with their resolve going down to Paarl Gim 06-12. Once again a well-balanced side with one or two game-breakers that will break the hearts of their opponents. However, the main asset of this team is the fight in the dog, the never say die attitude. I like them.
Welkom Gimnasium: Welkom Gim did not have a great start to their season but must be the best prepared of all the teams going to Pretoria. They had two good wins against a Glenwood Inv XV (17-12) and Landboudal (26-14), however, they were first mauled by Grey College (15-64) and thereafter Monnas (20-45) did not treat them as a guest should be. Fortunately, the underdogs normally perform a lot better at festivals and they could/will surprise.
