Bulls region heavyweights ready to roll

One weekend after Menlopark and Eldoraigne got their respective seasons off to a formal start in the Tuks-Reeks, its the turn of the three top rated Pretoria schools to enter the fray.

1. Affies travel down to Kimberley to play Diamantveld in what should prove to be quite a good season opening challenge. It’s the first of three long trips for the Witbulle. They head all the way down the N1* to Paarl where Gim awaits their arrival in a fortnight and also have to make the trip to Bloemfontein to play Grey College next term, in a fixture which might become a cherished TV rights possession of an organisation other than FNB Classic Clashes. Next weekend is building up to potentially be one of the biggest matches of the season when Affies faces Helpmekaar. The latter who performed admirably last year are hoping for an even better season this time around. Affies could be without their two SA u18 Elite Players while Helpies are expected to miss the serves of one such key player.
   Remember http://www.affiesrugby.co.za/ – an absolute must for all Affies old boys and supporters
2. Garsfontein, the Virsekerbeker (formerly Beeldtrofee) winners for the past two years, has already given their locals a taste of what to expect via a 25-5 shortened game with no place-kicking victory over Diamantveld at Loftus. The visiting Bere are expected to overcome Rustenburg who are can be tough cookies at home. It’s however next weekend’s crucial Group-3 Tuks-Reeks match against EG Jansen that is bound to be a major focal point of the competition. The winner of this mouth-watering match should be on course to booking a place in the Tuks final, although it has to be added that there is nothing easy or that predictable about Noordvaal under-18 knockout cup rugby. So perhaps it’s better to leave it at: the winner of the Garsies-Jansies match possibly will provide themselves with an easier path to progress along. Both Garsies and EG are expected to be minus one kingpin backline player due to the SA u18 Elite Player camp.
3. After a relatively comfortable get back into the swing of things practice match against Montana, Waterkloof dives head first into the deep end. In terms of consistent high quality schoolboy rugby, they don’t come much bigger than Grey College who will be Klofies’ opponents. Although Pretoria neighbours Affies have a good track-record in Bloemfontein of late, it’s the place where no one else North of the Vaal including Monnas, even dreams of winning. Klofies are in the Free State next weekend again for the Goudveld Sportsdag in Welkom.

Teams for this Saturday