Fresh off the disappointment of being a late omission from ABSA Wildeklawer 2023 due to a downsizing of the premier schoolboy rugby event to 20 1st XVs, Menlopark along with fellow Pretoria heavyweights Waterkloof and Noord-Kaap of Kimberley have bounced back big time.
Menlopark’s School Governing Body has given its blessing for the school to host its own tournament as part of their 60th birthday celebration year.The match days will be Saturday 29 April and Monday 01 May 2023 (Public Holiday: Workers’ Day)The confirmed participating schools are:Menlopark
Waterkloof
Noord-Kaap
Transvalia
Trio
Heidelberg VolkskoolThe age-groups participating are 1st XV, u16A, u15A and u14A.
Even though it may just be a off festival to mark a special occasion, it could well be a goldmine if Menlo would like to grow this festival into a fully-fledged annual event.There are two potential routes to follow:One might be to attract the big Gauteng English-medium boys only schools such as:Jeppe, KES, Pretoria Boy’s High and Parktown to take on the prominent Noordvaal Cup Co-eds Menlo, Klofies, Nories and Marais Viljoen or Nelspruit.Or Menlo could set up a unique Gauteng versus KZN festival and lure the likes of Durban High School, Glenwood, Maritzburg College, Northwood and Westville away from their existing commitments to the more cost effective travel destination of Pretoria. Who knows they may even agree to alternate venues. It is definitely a concept that could gain traction.Wildeklawer letter discussing the criteria for downsizing from 22 to 20 schools (EG Jansen added) and that this process will be reviewed on an annual basis. This criteria is school strength and achievements over the last five years.
| SLOT | SCHOOL | SCHOOL | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17h00 | Waterkloof | 18 | 07 | Transvalia |
| 18h15 | Menlopark | 22 | 05 | Noord-Kaap |
| 19h30 | Trio | 10 | 06 | Heidelberg VS |
| 12h15 | Waterkloof | 39 | 19 | Noord-Kaap |
| 15h15 | Trio | 29 | 21 | Transvalia |
| 20h45 | Menlopark | 21 | 21 | Heidelberg VS |
@Wonderwolf: I am going to go out on a limb and say it was a success.
The weather on Saturday was an issue so the Waterkloof match was stopped and ended up taking two hours to complete which delayed proceedings. I think the Menlo game ended after 10pm on Saturday.
However all things considered. Menlo, Kloof and Noord-Kaap could have accepted their fate of being left out of Wildeklawer without much time to make alternative plans and stayed home this long weekend. Instead a fledging festival with the prospect of building on it next year. I think they should speak to Westville and Northwood.
Wil graag weet was die toernooi n sukses?
Why not invite some of the slightly smaller Pta schools from the northern side who also produce talent and fire !!
On the surface I think it is a fantastic opportunity to host another festival of rugby. Because Waterkloof and Menlopark are close neighbours both communities will support their teams …
but a concern is that its MORE rugby squashed into short space of time, is anybody considering player welfare?
Menlo kry 2 verlore by hulle eie toernooi.
Die Menlopark 17 – 24 Noord Kaap
Die Menlopark 15 – 25 Heidelberg
Sien uit na die “festival” om Menlo 60 te vier!! Menlo speel reeds W/Kloof en Transvalia so vir nou behoort dit Noord-Kaap en Trio te wees.
@Beet … think this will be a once off … the aspiration will always be to be invited …
@Kantman: Die hoop beskaam nie, maar as ek die demografie en ontwikkeling so kyk gaan dit een tot drie jaar wees dan gaan hulle sukkel.
@Djou: Ja dit is jammer. Lyk darem positief as ek na resultate kyk. Hoop hulle kan dit daar hou.
@Kantman: Dis hartseer om te dink dat Kroonstad 3 dekades gelede Blouskool, Rooiskool, HTS, en Landbouskool gehad het. Nou is wat rugby speel een oor!
@Kantman:
Baie dankie
@Mate: @Mate: Kroonstad skole wat saamgesmelt het
Wie is Trio?