Garsfontein 31 (21) – Tries: Justin Blom, Stefan van der Vyver, Yuvrah George, Drewyn Baron. Conversions: Ruan Fluks (3). Penalty: Fluks. Paarl Boys’ High 28 (7) – Tries: Luhan Hattingh, Aleit Stander, Ruben de Jager, Trichard van Tonder. Conversions: Daniel Meisenheimer (4).
Paul Roos Gimnasium 43 (31) – Tries: Lehan Barnard (4), Christian le Roux, Tristan Armitage, Werner de Bruin. Conversions: Travis Pheiffer (4). Pretoria Boys High 12 (0) – Tries: Mbala Ndima, Aya Mabuza. Conversions: Reinier Kruger.
Grey Kollege se Eddie Mabena op die aanval in sy span se 51-19 sege oor Helpmekaar Kollege in Pretoria. FOTO: Wim Pretorius.
Die Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool van Pretoria (Affies) se Wit Bulle het ten spyte van ‘n swaar tyd in die skrums, daarin geslaag om die Bulle van Oakdale Landbou in die hoofwedtryd op die tweede dag van die NMI Toyota Noord/Suid-toernooi in Pretoria om te dop.
Die Pretorianers het na ‘n uitsonderlike fisieke stryd met 28-17 koning gekraai. Die Bulle se pak het behoorlik in die skrums amok gesaai met dié wat uiteindelik sy hoofbron van strafskoppe sou word. Affies kon egter ‘n teenvoeter daarvoor vind met skitterende rankwerk in die lynstane vind.
Die tuisspan se kaptein en slot, Martin van Niekerk, was die groot doring in die besoekers se vlees.
Albei spanne sal egter weer in diepte na hul eie lynstane gaan kyk aangesien dit hoofbrekens albei kante toe veroorsaak het. Die armdruk in die vaste fassete het gesorg vir ‘n stryd wat groot en deels enige kan toe kon gaan.
Die doodskoot is nietemin deur die Wit Bulle se hoofseun en binnesenter, Juan Ferreira, voor ‘n groot kontingent oud-leerlinge, onder die pale toegedien. Ferreira se sentermaat, Estian Marx, kan ook in sy noppies wees, veral met die vertoning wat hy op die aanval gelewer het.
Oakdale se kaptein en agtsteman, Jacobus de Villiers, was sy span se grootste uitblinker. De Villiers was oudergewoonte weer die veld vol en het menigde kere die skote laat klap met sy reuse duikslae.
In die vernaamste voorwedstryd, het Grey Kollege se Lamla Mgedezi die groot skare op Affies met nie minder nie as drie aanskoulike individuele drieë bederf. Mgedezi het die span van Bloemfontein se eerste en laaste drie gedruk in sy span se sege van 51-19 oor Helpmekaar Kollege.
Die eerste helfte tussen die twee was van die aanskoulikste rugby nog by vanjaar se Noord/Suid toernooi. Albei spanne het nie geskroom om moue op te rol nie en kon die duikslae tot op die pawiljoen gehoor word. Die span van die Rosestad se tempo en vermoeë om elke keer af te rond was egter net teveel vir die Johannesburgers.
Helpies se kaptein en flank, Llewelyn Vermaak, was soos gebruiklik, die Johannesburgers se hardste werker, terwyl vleuel Francois Tonkin ‘n doring op die verdiging was.
Puntemakers
Affies 28 (21) – Drieë: Francois de Beer, Kyle van Staden, Estian Marx, Juan Ferreira. Doelskoppe: Reuben Smith (4). Oakdale Landbou 17 (10) – Drieë: Bernard Badenhorst, Marc-Hein Fourie. Doelskoppe: Caleb Williams (2). Strafdoel: Williams.
Grey College 51 (22) – Drieë: Lamla Mgedezi (3), JW Coetzee, Xander de Beer, Eddie Mabena, AJ Hendricks. Doelskoppe: Christoff Crous (3), Samson Lackay (2). Strafdoele: Crous (2). Helpmekaar Kollege 19 (12) – Drieë: Jeandré van der Merwe, Shaye Lourens, John van Druten. Doelskoppe: Ethan Kruger, Shaye Lourens.
Dylan Stumke on the attack in Die Hoërskool Menlopark’s 46-28 victory over Boland Landbou at the Noord/Suid in Pretoria on Saturday. Photo: Wim Pretorius.
Paarl Gimnasium hit their straps early to register the largest winning margin of the 2026 NMI Toyota Noord/Suid Rugby Tournament at Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool(Affies) in Pretoria on Saturday.
Relive all the action on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)
A hat-trick of braces set the Gimmiesjuggernaut in motion as they cruised to a 61–10 victory over Hoërskool Noordheuwel in the sixth match of day two.
The sustained onslaught left Noriesscrambling and forced them to endure a punishing defensive workload that sapped their energy. No one epitomised Gim’s dominance more than blindside flank Dirk Hugo.
Hugo was the first of a trio of players to cross the whitewash twice. Soon, he was followed by his fellow flank, Corné Niemand, and lock Bernhardt Schulze, which underlined the control exerted by the Paarl pack.
Flyhalf Louis Koen was clinical from the tee, missing just one attempt at goal, and that accuracy helped to earn him the Player of the Match accolade.
Earlier in the day, Danie Botma set Affies’ A Field alight with a hat-trick of tries in Hoërskool Menlopark’s emphatic 46-28 statement victory over Boland Landbou.
Botma’s midfield partnership with seasoned inside centre Dylan Stumke posed a potent threat, and it’s one to which Menlo’s future opponents will have to pay close attention. Stumke, too, crossed the whitewash to add another five points to the local side’s tally.
Tighthead prop Tiaan Malan stood out for the Western Cape outfit, despite the defeat. His tireless work in the trenches brought him a well-earned brace of tries.
Divan Meyer impressed in the midfield. Although he operated largely in the shadow of Menlopark’s dominant centre pairing, he exhibited intelligent running lines and dependable goal-kicking, qualities that ultimately proved insufficient to swing the result in his side’s favour.
Scorers
Paarl Gimnasium 61 (35) – Tries: Dirk Hugo (2), Corné Niemand (2), Bernhardt Schulze (2), Charles Whitehead, Corné de Beer, Hannes de Kock. Conversions: Louis Koen (7), Malan Mostert. Noordheuwel 10 (0) – Tries: Armand van Eck, JB Blount.
Garsfontein‘s Neil de Kock might never again experience a moment to rival the one he produced 30 seconds before the final whistle at the 2026 Noord/Suid tournament at Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool in Pretoria on Friday.
Relive all the action live on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)
The Garsies‘ speedster beat three Stellenberg defenders on his way to the tryline to help the Bere snatch a last-gasp 21-20 victory over the Jade Brigade.
When he touched down, it was the first time that Garsfontein had led in the most physical match of the day.
Stellenberg’s talisman and chief playmaker, Ethan van Biljon, controlled most of the match. He accounted for 15 of his side’s 20 points, which were all scored in the first half, crossing for a try, and also adding two penalties and two conversions.
Despite finishing on the losing side, Van Biljon was named the Player of the Match.
The Jade Brigade’s scoreless second half came back to bite them at the death. De Kock’s match-winning try was preceded by a crucial score from flank Stefan van der Vyver, which was a fitting reward for his relentless work rate across the full 70 minutes. His contribution proved vital to Garsfontein’s victory in the most compelling fixture of the day.
King Edward VII School (KES), meanwhile, threatened a comeback, but a late try from the Kwaggas‘ Heiliano Beukes sealed a hard-fought 30–17 victory for Hoërskool Outeniqua.
The Red Army got off to a blistering start, with tighthead prop Tswaledi Phasha, who delivered a powerful performance, crossing for a try.
Stung, the Kwaggas responded swiftly. Wing Ray-Jordan Schoeman and the powerful inside centre, Jade Lottering, crossed the whitewash in quick succession, which helped Outeniqua to seize and maintain control for the remainder of the match.
KES also produced two tries in quick succession, scored by fullback Asa Mgwatyu and blindside flank Naledi Phiri. Beukes, though, ensured a victory for the south with his late try moments before the final whistle.
By claiming a 13-point win, Outeniqua has set up an enticing clash against Hoërskool Waterkloof on Monday after Klofies outplayed Diamantveld 45–7.
Scorers
Stellenberg 20 (20) – Tries: Ethan van Biljon, Daniel Steffen. Conversions: Van Biljon (2). Penalties: Van Biljon (2). Garsfontein 21 (7) – Tries: Justin Blom, Stefan van der Vyver, Neil de Kock. Conversions: Ruan Fluks (3).
Outeniqua 30 (16) – Tries: Ray Jordan, Jade Lottering, Wiaan Baard, Heiliano Beukes. Conversions: Tilor Marais (2). Penalties: Marais (2); King Edward VII 17 (5) – Tries: Tswaledi Phasha, Asa Mgwatyu, Naledi Phiri. Conversion: Daniel Soekoe.
Thirteen tries to four revealed the northern sides’ early dominance on Friday, the opening day of the NMI Toyota Noord/Suid Rugby Tournament, which has returned to Pretoria’s Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool this year.
Relive all the action live on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)
The rejuvenated Rhinos of Hoërskool Nelspruit ran in five tries in their opening victory over Hoërskool Framesby, from Gqeberha, in the Eastern Cape.
Nellies asserted control early, laying the foundation for success with a powerful opening spell driven by their big hitters up front.
The lock pairing of Dirk-Arnold Joubert and Christiaan Botha, combined with the attacking impetus of dynamic eighthman Vian Louw, ensured the Lowveld side dictated proceedings from start to finish.
As the curtain fell on the second match of the opening day, Nelspruit’s exciting fullback Rhandzu Mkhabela was named the Player of the Match. Renowned across Mpumalanga for the electricity he brings from the backfield, Mkhabela lit up the tournament’s big stage, causing the crowd to take notice.
To complement his sharp attacking display, he was equally assured in defence, providing an uncompromising final line as the Rhinos closed out a commanding performance.
In the opening fixture of the tournament, Hoërskool Zwartkop captain David van Jaarsveld crossed the whitewash twice as the Vikings marked their debut with a commanding 50–14 victory over Bethlehem Voortrekker, scoring eight tries.
Van Jaarsveld combined superbly with the Player of the Match flyhalf Tilon Baron and orchestrated proceedings in the midfield, steering Zwartkop’s expansive and incisive attacking display.
Van Jaarsveld, in particular, was devastating when carrying the ball. His powerful, bullocking runs repeatedly split the defence and brought him 10 points after two deserved visits behind the Voortrekker tryline.
Up front, the reliable hooker Regan Blignaut set the tone for a dominant Vikings pack. His powerful carries stood out as he consistently punched holes deep in Voortrekker’s defensive line, making metres well beyond the gainline.
Blignaut was ably supported by second rower Jethro Le Roux, who is one of 14 players returning to the Vikings 1st XV in 2026. Le Roux capped his industrious performance with a superb try, bursting through the defensive line with an attacking run that left even the centres scrambling.
Scorers
Hoërskool Nelspruit 29 (24) – Tries: Hanré Smit, Kamo Monkwe, Rhandzu Mkhabela, Aldo van Jaarsveld, Vihan Louw. Conversions: Ewan van der Merwe (2). Framesby 14 (0) – Tries: Zandré Schnetler, Reon Saaiman. Conversion: Miles Feltham (2).
Zwartkop 50 (26) – Tries: David van Jaarsveld (2), Tilon Baron, Dian du Plooy, Matthew Smith, Xander Huyser, Jethro Le Roux, Ruvan Burger. Conversions: Ruvan Burger (5); Voortrekker 14 (7) – Tries: Zak Steyn, Wessel Hattingh. Conversions: JC Pretorius (2).
Paarl Boys’ High 37 (20) – Tries: Bates Winshaw, Chris Nel, AD Faul, Dirk Farmer. Conversions: Daniel Meisenheimer (4). Penalties: Meisenheimer (3). Jeppe High School for Boys 10 (7) – Try: Joel Akilo. Conversion: Ndzalama Mbhalati. Penalty: Mbhalati.
Stellenberg 20 (20) – Tries: Ethan van Biljon, Daniel Steffen. Conversions: Van Biljon (2). Penalties: Van Biljon (2). Garsfontein 21 (7) – Tries: Justin Blom, Stefan van der Vyver, Neil de Kock. Conversions: Ruan Fluks (3).
Outeniqua 30 (16) – Tries: Ray Jordan, Jade Lottering, Wiaan Baard, Heiliano Beukes. Conversions: Tilor Marais (2). Penalties: Marais (2). King Edward VII School 17 (5) – Tries: Tswaledi Phasha, Asa Mgwatyu, Naledi Phiri. Coversion: Daniel Soekoe.
HTS Drostdy 43 (29) – Tries: Anwill Jacobs (2), Darren Makeza (2), Werno Ramsauer, Tristan Syster, Conversions: Jano van Deventer (5). Penalty: Van Deventer. EG Jansen 24 (5) – Tries: Werner Breytenbach (2), Jaco Engelbrecht, Aljay Olivier. Conversions: Renaldo October, Juan van Aswegen.
Waterkloof 45 (28) – Tries: Jacques Janse van Rensburg (2), Alexander Griesel, Gustav Mienie, Mieder Erasmus, Stiaan Theron, Penalty Try. Conversions: Liam Schutte (4). Diamantveld 7 (7) – Try: Clinton Brits. Conversion: JG van Heerden.
Hoërskool Nelspruit 29 (24) – Tries: Hanré Smit, Kamo Monkwe, Rhandzu Mkhabela, Aldo van Jaarsveld, Vihan Louw. Conversions: Ewan van der Merwe (2). Framesby 14 (0) – Tries: Zandré Schnetler, Reon Saaiman. Conversion: Miles Feltham (2).
Zwartkop 50 (26) – Tries: David van Jaarsveld (2), Tilon Baron, Dian du Plooy, Matthew Smith, Xander Huyser, Jethro Le Roux, Ruvan Burger. Conversions: Ruvan Burger (5); Voortrekker 14 (7) – Tries: Zak Steyn, Wessel Hattingh. Conversions: JC Pretorius (2).
The highly-regarded event features 13 new teams. Nine are from north of the Vaal River, while the other four represent the south.
The northern newcomers are Hoërskool Zwartkop, Hoërskool Middelburg, Hoërskool Wesvalia, HTS Middelburg, Hoërskool Klerksdorp, Hoërskool Oos-Moot, Hoërskool Montana, Hoërskool Kempton Park and Hoërskool Transvalia.
The southern sides are Hugenote (Wellington), Hoërskool Strand, Hoërskool Trio and Bethlehem’s Witteberg.
In 2014, the Noord/Suid tournament began with only four schools. Twelve years later, a record 42 teams will be in action across four days.
The expansion includes the addition of the Harlequins Rugby Club to the list of venues. ‘Quins, as they are commonly known, will host several fixtures, primarily involving 2nd XVs, along with other selected matches.
One of the Noordvaal’s most exciting newcomers, Hoërskool Zwartkop, kicks off the proceedings with a showdown against Voortrekker at 09:00 on Friday morning. Zwarries also take on Voortrekker’s fierce Bethlehem rivals, Witteberg, on the final day at Harlequins.
Three enticing clashes highlight the opening day. At 16:30, Garsfontein tackles the exciting Stellenberg at 16:30. The Jade Brigadehas an early target on their back after they opened their season with a heart-stopping 20-19 victory over Paarl Gimnasium two weeks ago.
That match is followed by Jeppe High School for Boys taking on last year’s top-ranked side, Paarl Boys’ High, at 18:00. The day’s final fixture features Hoërskool Monument against Paul Roos Gimnasium, skippered by centre Tiaan Basson, at 19:30.
Saturday will also be action-packed, with the same 19:30 timeslot once again the focal point of the day’s matches. The hosts, Affies, lock horns with Oakdale Landbou, with the clash of the Wit Bulle and Bulle expected to be a fearsome, physical contest.
Menlopark will aim for a second unbeaten record at the tournament in as many years, and they, too, begin their campaign on Saturday, taking on Boland Landbou.
Noordheuwel faces a tough challenge against Paarl Gimnasium, while Grey College versus Helpmekaar is another standout fixture, which takes place in the afternoon.
At Harlequins, Wesvalia faces Montana, while Hoërskool Klerksdorp goes up against Hoërskool Kempton Park in two all-Noordvaal clashes.
The Mzawandile Mali XV, a fan favourite in 2025 because of their never-say-die attitude and running rugby, opens their account on Monday at 08:30 with a tough challenge against King Edward VII School(KES). At 13:00, Hoërskool Waterkloof’s Blou Tornado faces Outeniqua’s Kwaggas.
Later in the day, Hoërskool Monument will be put to the test by the Donkiesof HTS Drostdy, before Pretoria Boys High runs out against Paul Roos Gimnasium at 17:30. Paarl Boys’ High and Garsfontein conclude the day’s play at 19:00.
At Harlequins, Transvalia faces Hugenote (Wellington), while Oos-Moot takes on Strand in the final two matches of the day.
The final day begins with HTS Middelburg facing Nico Malan at 08:30. At 10:00, Hoërskool Middelburg and Wesvalia do battle in another all-Noordvaal clash.
Other fixtures include Noordheuwel against Oakdale, and Menlopark against Paarl Gimnasium, before Grey College faces up to Stellenberg in the penultimate match.
The tournament concludes on Tuesday evening, at 19:00, when Affies takes on Hoërskool Durbanville.
FIXTURES
Friday – 27 March 2026
09:00 – Zwartkop vs Voortrekker
10:30 – Hoërskool Nelspruit vs Framesby
12:00 – Waterkloof vs Diamantveld
13:30 – EG Jansen vs HTS Drostdy
15:00 – King Edward VII School vs Outeniqua
16:30 – Garsfontein vs Stellenberg
18:00 – Jeppe High School for Boys vs Paarl Boys’ High
19:30 – Monument vs Paul Roos Gimnasium
Harlequins A Field
13:30 – Transvalia vs Strand
15:00 – Oos-Moot vs Hugenote (Wellington)
Saturday – 28 March 2026
09:00 – HTS Middelburg vs Trio
10:30 – Welkom Gimnasium vs Nico Malan
12:00 – Hoërskool Middelburg vs Witteberg
13:30 – Hoërskool Rustenburg vs Hoërskool Durbanville
15:00 – Menlopark vs Boland Landbou
16:30 – Noordheuwel vs Paarl Gimnasium
18:00 – Grey College vs Helpmekaar Kollege
19:30 – Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool vs Oakdale Landbou
Harlequins A Field
13:30 – Wesvalia vs Montana
15:00 – Hoërskool Klerksdorp vs Hoërskool Kempton Park
Monday – 30 March 2026
08:30 – King Edward VII School vs Mzawandile Mali XV
10:00 – EG Jansen vs Framesby
11:30 – Hoërskool Nelspruit vs Voortrekker
13:00 – Waterkloof vs Outeniqua
14:30 – Jeppe High School for Boys vs Diamantveld
16:00 – Monument vs HTS Drostdy
17:30 – Pretoria Boys High vs Paul Roos Gimnasium
19:00 – Garsfontein vs Paarl Boys’ High
Harlequins A Field
13:30 – Transvalia vs Hugenote (Wellington)
15:00 – Oos-Moot vs Strand
Tuesday – 31 March 2026
08:30 – HTS Middelburg vs Nico Malan
10:00 – Hoërskool Middelburg vs Wesvalia
11:30 – Hoërskool Rustenburg vs Welkom Gimnasium
13:00 – Helpmekaar Kollege vs Boland Landbou
14:30 – Noordheuwel vs Oakdale Landbou
16:00 – Menlopark vs Paarl Gimnasium
17:30 – Grey College vs Stellenberg
19:00 – Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool vs Hoërskool Durbanville
Harlequins A Field
13:00 – Hoërskool Kempton Park vs Montana
14:30 – Hoërskool Klerksdorp vs Trio
16:00 – Zwartkop vs Witteberg
Ervaring en talent sal twee van die hoekstene wees wat van Heidelberg Volkskool ’n gevaar in vanjaar se rugbyseisoen sal maak.
Die Volkies van Heidelberg se seisoen sal Saterdag, 7 Maart, in die NWU Prestige-reeks teen Hoërskool Jeugland op tuisbodem afskop.
In 2025 was dit welbekend dat die span van Heidelberg uit ’n hele klomp jongelinge bestaan het. Vanjaar is dié jongelinge egter die fondasie van ’n gedugte span.
Die opwindende Jerado Tafel is slegs een van twee nuwelinge in die Volkies se span.
Tafel draf Saterdag op buitesenter uit, wat van hom en Vaughn Steynvaart ’n besonderse uitdaging in die middelveld maak. Albie Botha is die ander nuweling en sal op slot agter die tuisspan se ervare voorry sak.
Volkies se tweede stel Munro-tweeling, Tristan Munro en Tyrone Munro, sal onderskeidelik op losskakel en heelagter na die span terugkeer. Oopkantflank Jaco Botha sal die span aanvoer.
Jeugland se betrokkenheid by Wildeklawer Super Interhoër se Groep 4 vroeër die week het die span van Kempton Park se afrigtingspan nog aan die raai oor moontlike kombinasies vir Saterdag se ontmoeting in Heidelberg.
Hoërskool Wagpos se nuwe seisoen sal met nuwe ywer op tuisbodem teen Hoërskool Die Anker van Brakpan begin. Die Anker het reeds litte losgemaak met ’n sege van 21–7 oor Hoërskool Oosterlig ’n week tevore. Saterdag sal Wagpos se eerste verskyning vanjaar wees.
Hoof van Rugby, Christo van Niekerk, meen egter dat vanjaar se span nie onderskat moet word nie. Die span van Brits beskik self oor hope ervaring, met slegs drie jongelinge in die groep van 23. Myburgh Henning se verantwoordelikheid sal wees om die gevaarlike agterhoede aan die gang te kry.
Henning het in 2025 as losskakel uitgedraf, maar skuif vanjaar na skrumskakel. Raymond Language neem die rol as generaal oor. Die losskakel se kanonvoet sal waarskynlik deur die seisoen ’n rol van sy eie speel. Spoedvraat Dylan Joubert sit die kersie op ’n gevaarlike aanvalskoek met sy vermoë om spasie te skep vanuit sy posisie op heelagter.
Steelkantflank, Markus Herbst, sal die span lei. Herbst is ‘n bekende van in Die Anker se span. Markus se ouer broer, Ruben Herbst was die span van Brakpan se kaptein in 2025. Dié se neef, Edrick Pienaar maak oop sy terugkeer. Pienaar sal in die middelveld op sy verkose binnesenter posisie uitdraf. Hy sal ook as dié span se onderkaptein dien.
Die spanne is:
Heidelberg Volkskool t. Jeugland om 13:30 op Heidelberg:
FOTO: Pietie Paparazzi/Hoërskool Pietersburg op Facebook.
Die rugbydors in die Noordvaal sal eerskomende naweek met ‘n vroeë aanslag van groot ontmoetings, beklemtoon deur die stryd tussen ‘n ervare Hoërskool Pietersburg en Potchefstroom Volkskool, geles word.
Die twee sal in hul onderskeie eerste uitstappies van die jaar in die hoofstad van Limpopo, Polokwane, slaags wees.
Dit is die perfekte vertoonvenster vir wat verder in vanjaar se NWU Prestige Sport-reeks op die spyskaart sal wees. Die Prestige-reeks, wat verlede jaar uiteindelik deur eendewéér beslis is, skop Saterdag, 7 Maart, op verskeie plekke noord van die Vaalrivier af.
Die onderskeie 16 spanne in vanjaar se reeks sal weer in vier poele van vier spanne elk meeding. Die Pieties en Volkies is die eerstes wat in Poel 3 uitdraf, ‘n stryd tussen die 2025 Noordvaal Cup se Skild-naaswenners en Bowl-kampioen vanuit Potchefstroom.
In Poel 4 sal die gevaarlike Hoërskool Lichtenburg, steeds onder leiding van oud-Leeu-skrumskakel Michael Bondesio, met Corneel van Dyk en sy span van Marais Viljoen swaarde kruis. Van Dyk neem vanjaar die leisels as hoofafrigter van die Albertonse span oor.
Die skietgoed tot die Pieties se beskikking maak hom vanjaar weer ‘n gevaar, nie net in die provinsie nie, maar ook in die toekomstige reekse in die Noordvaal. Die span van Polokwane sal deur vaskopstut, Stephan Jansen van Rensburg, aangevoer word.
Jansen van Rensburg het reeds in 2025 die Limpopo Blou Bulle by die Cravenweek in Middelburg verteenwoordig, waarna hy ook die enigste speler uit die provinsie geword het om die unie by SA Rugby se o.17 hoëprestasie-kamp te verteenwoordig. Haker, Zhian Lombaard, en loskopstut, Krissie Swanepoel, sal albei saam met Jansen van Rensburg in die voorry terugkeer.
Staatmaker-slot Ludke Pienaar sak agter die trio vir ‘n tweede jaar. Dit is juis om dié rede dat die span se hoofafrigter, Corstiaan Vermaak, meen dat sy span se krag heel moontlik voorlangs sal lê vanjaar. Hoewel daar oor ‘n sterk pak beskik word, is die agterhoede ook besaai met ondervinding.
Skerpskut-heelagter Ryno Mienie is ook weer op sy pos, terwyl losskakel, Juan Randall, weer die toutjies sal trek. Randall sal ook as Jansen van Rensburg se regterhand, as onderkaptein, dien.
Die tuisspan se verdediging sal op sy beurt, behoorlik getoets word. Die gevaarlike duo, River Samuel en Lethabo Riet, twee uitblinkers in 2025 maak albei weer hul verskeining vanjaar. Riet sal op buitesenter uitdraf, terwyl Samuel vir hom spasie op binnesenter sal skep.
Marais Viljoen sal met ‘n jong span na Lichtenburg reis. Slegs ses van die 23 wat Saterdag in aksie sal wees, het in 2025 vir die span van Alberton uitgedraf. Nietemin is die skietgoed van heelagter, Kabelo Thloaele, en buitesenter, Devin Raubenheimer, steeds in die agterhoede se arsenaal.
Thloaele se tweestryd met die Liggies se speler van die wedstryd in hul opwarmingswedstryd teen Hoërskool Sentraal verlede week, linkervleuel Karabelo Kgamanyane, sal vir aanskoulike hardlooprugby agterlangs sorg.
Voorlangs sal dit slot Dean Scheepers wees wat die pap dik sal moet aanmaak vir die besoekers. George Bingudzu, wat vir ‘n wyle in 2025 op slot uitgedraf het, sal die tuisspan se staatmaker onder die pak wees. Bingudzu draf vanjaar op steelkantflank uit.
Die spanne is:
Hoërskool Pietersburg t. Potchefstroom Volkskool om 12:30 in Polokwane:
Pietersburg: 15 Ryno Mienie, 14 Armand Venter, 13 Juan Dreyer, 12 Hanru Marais, 11 Keanu Potgieter, 10 Juan Randall, 9 Curtis Cloete, 8 Henco Venter, 7 Ignus Ferreira, 6 Andru de Beer, 5 Ludke Pienaar, 4 Brent Vorster, 3 Stephan Jansen van Rensburg, 2 Zhian Lombaard, 1 Krissie Swanepoel.
Potchefstroom Volkskool: 15 Carlo van der Merwe, 14 Christiaan Gouws, 13 Lethabo Riet, 12 River Samuel, 11 JC Menezies, 10 Kyle Hattingh, 9 Jaco Steenkamp, 8 Johannes Lombard, 7 Jannie de Wet, 6 Wian Victor, 5 Nolan Roets, 4 Albert Odendaal, 3 Michael Rochat, 2 Peet Fourie, 1 AB Brink.
Hoërskool Lichtenburg t. Marais Viljoen om op Lichtenburg:
Lichtenburg: 15 Ruben Lee Swartz, 14 Thato Seabo, 13 WJ Liebenberg, 12 Hanjo Nieuwoudt, 11 Karabelo Kgamanyane, 10 Waylon Savage, 9 Rea Motshusi, 8 Tydian Williams, 7 George Bingudzu, 6 Michuel Goncalves, 5 Jaco Wessels, 4 Nicolas Janse van Rensburg, 3 David Passetti, 2 Johan Deyzel, 1 Ruben Pretorius.
Marais Viljoen: 15 Kabelo Thloaele, 14 Zanru Olivier, 13 Devin Raubenheimer, 12 Danté Crous, 11 Nqoba Mathe, 10 Ovayo Jonas, 9 Ghian van der Vyver, 8 Joshua O’Brien, 7 George Mazhindu, 6 Thato Mapuru, 5 UK Mahlehlo, 4 Dean Scheepers, 3 Ondi Njili, 2 Frikkie Horn, 1 Caden Sheasby.
