Monnas’ defence faces the ultimate exam at Grey College

There was a time when the Witbulle of Hoërskool Monument were among the most respected challengers to the might of Grey College—a fixture that consistently delivered edge, intensity and, more often than not, genuine jeopardy for the hosts. Those days, however, feel increasingly distant.

While Grey have continued to set the benchmark with relentless consistency, Monument have endured a more turbulent stretch. A combination of factors, including growing competition within their traditional feeder systems, has seen standards slip from the heights that once defined the Krugersdorp outfit.

There is, however, a sense that 2026 is meant to mark a turning point. On paper, the Witbulle possess the tools to compete. Their pack carries the hallmark Monnas physicality, capable of taking collisions head-on and setting a platform, while the backline offers punch and directness that can trouble defences.

Yet promise has not fully translated into performance. A narrow defeat to Diamantveld in Kimberley has already tempered early optimism, and it is the defensive side of the game that continues to raise the most concern. Against a side as clinical and unforgiving as Grey, any lapses in organisation or commitment are likely to be punished swiftly and repeatedly.

All eyes will also fall on head coach Jannie du Plessis, who returns to his alma mater carrying both expectation and scrutiny. It was at Grey where his own rugby journey began—one that would ultimately reach the very pinnacle of the game. Now, he faces the task of restoring belief and resilience to a Monnas side desperate to re-establish its identity.

For Monument, this is more than just another fixture. It is a measuring stick of how far they have come—and how far they still have to go.

TEAM	GREY COLLEGE		TEAM	MONUMENT
1	Hennie Bredenhann	u18	1	Tafadzwa Chiyangwa	u18
2	AJ Hendriks	u18	2	Tristan Rodriguez
3	JW Coetzee	u18	3	Deacon Korff
4	Alexi Tyropolis	u18	4	Matthew van Deventer	u18
5	Jannes Krause	u18	5	Hanco van Geelen	u17
6	Xander de Beer	u18	6	Siyabonga Ncube	u18
7	Prestan Bennett	u18	7	Ryno vd Westhuizen	u18
8	Henru Erasmus	u18	8	Caleb Sparks
9	Jonathan Drysdale	u18	9	Morne Noble	u19
10	Christoff Crous	u18	10	Jaydon Viljoen	u18
11	Wian vd Berg	u18	11	Ruan Genis	u18
12	O’Ryan Kleyn	u18	12	Cameron Kourie
13	Eddie Mabena	u18	13	Juandre Ehlers	u18
14	JG Horn	u17	14	Corne Mostert
15	Lamla Mgedezi	u18	15	Miguel Coetzee
16			16	Ben van Wyk
17	Frans Troskie	u17	17	Jayden Nel
18	Chris Nieuwoudt	u18	18	Carlo Claase
19			19	Ivan vd Merwe
20	Niel du Randt	u17	20	Roche Botha	u17
21			21	Ewan Beukes
22	Emile Aucamp	u18	22	Blessing Monareng
23			23	Etienne Fourie
Coach	JANNIE GELDENHUYS		Coach	JANNIE DU PLESSIS