Western Province had four flyhalves invited to the EPD U17 camp, and the competition for the Craven Week main team No. 10 jersey is red hot. Those who had heard Travis Pheiffer described as a generational talent—often bracketed alongside former Bok centre Jan Serfontein, both of whom left Grey High in search of greener pastures—got to see exactly why the expectations were so high.
Pheiffer delivered in style, contributing 25 points through two tries, six conversions, and a penalty as the Maroon Machine defeated Affies 45–28 in convincing fashion at Markotter on a historic interschools day on 21 March 2026.
Affies looked more rounded and expansive in attack, with their wings showing real threat, but their traditional dominance up front never fully materialised and their defence was found wanting. Even when Paul Roos had set-piece issues, they consolidated their positions and absorbed the challenges, with their pack often coming out on top.
Paul Roos’ flair hasn’t always been their hallmark in recent seasons, but with a creative flyhalf firing on all cylinders, space was opened up and opportunities were exploited with clinical precision. This was epitomised by fullback Kyle Snyers’ memorable try, orchestrated by Pheiffer’s vision, a long cut-out pass, and a stunning offload that freed Snyers into space, where his pace and football skill completed the finish.
Pheiffer also struck before halftime with a crucial intercept try, one of a few rare turnover opportunities that presented themselves during the match, while Affies held a numerical advantage. The teams went into the break 24–11.
The second half began with Affies striking back, using a numerical advantage to score two quick tries, including a brilliant effort by Dante Brink, bringing the contest tantalisingly close at 24–23. The tension was electric, and the test match appeared to be heading for a nail-biting finish.
But the Maroon Machine were not to be denied. Once momentum swung back, Paul Roos unleashed relentless attacking sequences, yielding tries for Pheiffer, Albert Nel, and the outstanding scrumhalf Tristan Armitage. The scoreboard moved to 45–23, extinguishing any hope of an Affies comeback. A late consolation try by Affies made it 45–28, but the result was never in doubt.
Given the high rating of this Witbulle team, it proved to be an outstanding victory. Beyond the scoreline, the performance highlighted Paul Roos’ depth of talent, the tactical acumen of Pheiffer, and the potential for this side to make a serious impact in the weeks ahead.
| TEAM | PAUL ROOS | TEAM | AFFIES | ||
| 1 | Thomas Meyer | u17 | 1 | Francois de Beer | |
| 2 | Lehan Barnard | u18 | 2 | Charl Els | |
| 3 | Zak Steyn | u17 | 3 | Hannes Nagel | |
| 4 | Stef de Villiers | u18 | 4 | Martin van Niekerk | |
| 5 | Sebastian Cilliers | u18 | 5 | Reubenne Vlok | |
| 6 | Christian le Roux | u18 | 6 | Lohan Bitzer | |
| 7 | Gerard Bekker | u18 | 7 | Caleb Pretorius | |
| 8 | Werner de Bruin | u17 | 8 | Janno Geyser | |
| 9 | Tristan Armitage | u17 | 9 | Fourie Roberts | |
| 10 | Travis Pheiffer | u18 | 10 | Ruben Smith | |
| 11 | Cadynn Davids | u17 | 11 | Joshua Gouws | |
| 12 | Albert Nel | u17 | 12 | Juan Ferreira | |
| 13 | Tiaan Basson | u18 | 13 | Estian Marx | |
| 14 | Jean Hamman | u17 | 14 | Dandre Brink | |
| 15 | Kyle Snyers | u17 | 15 | Kyle van Staden | |
| Coach | CORNE UYS | Coach | RUAN JACOBS |
@Djou (Comment #18) Grey is iets anders.
@OomPB (Comment #16)
Seker maar net soos die refs in die Kaap/Paarl/Stellies/Oakdale/George/Krugersdorp/Rustenburg/Nelspruit/Middelburg gewoonlik die tuisspanne help.
@STUT (Comment #12)
Jy is nuut hier, maar as Snelvuur gesels kan jy maar luister. Ons verskil soms van hom, maar sy ontledings is gewoonlik in die kol.
Probeer eerder leer uit sy kommentare as om sarkastiese teen-opmerkings te maak.
@Snelvuur (Comment #13)
Ja Monnas het n goeie span. Die ref het vir Grey gehelp soos gewoonlik.
@STUT (Comment #12) Jy moet minder Jong Matie se postings lees.
@Snelvuur (Comment #13)
Suurlemoen sap en heuning, soos die Hollanders dit eet, is beter as kaneelsuiker.
@STUT (Comment #12)
Vadertjie ons, waar op dees aarde val jy nou uit? Nie ek of enigiemand anders het gesê enige van daai spelers is die beste in hul posisies in SA nie – en ek dink ook nie hulle is (al) nie. Ons almal was bekommerd toe ons eerstekeuse 9 sy wangbeen teen Drostdy gebreek het en ons is beïndruk met hoe Armitage party toe gekom het. Dit was Pheiffer se beste wedstryd na hy ‘n jaar lank baie gemiddeld was. De Bruin op 8 lyk wel baie goed – maar ons mag seker ook dink een of twee van ons spelers is orraait, of nie? En nee, ons het ook nie die beste graad 11s in die land nie, anders sou hulle laasjaar eerste gewees het op die o16 ranglys. Ons is onder geen illusie dat Monnas ‘n bitter harde wedstryd gaan wees nie – klomp enorme manne teen ons relatiewe klein pak, ‘n kanonpoot 10, groot buitesenter en ‘n vleuel wat in die SA Skole-gesprek gaan wees; plus ons games teen Monnas is maar altyd naby. Ons snoepie se pannekoeke is wel baie lekker – maar as ek so na jou luister eet jy liewer suurlemoensap op jou pannekoek as kaneelsuiker.
Genade, as ek die kommentare lees klink dit my Monnas moet net dankbaar wees dat hul die veld met hierdie superspan kan deel Vrydag.
PRG het die beste 8, 9, 10, 6, 12, Spelpatroon, Gr 11s, identiteit, Afrigter, en Snoepie in SA.
@Rainier (Comment #8)
EN Jurenzo is terug van ‘n besering af. Goeie dag om ‘n Paul Rooser te wees!
Ek dink die belangrikste ding hierdie jaar is dat hierdie span voel asof hy sy eie identiteit het. Dit het by tye laasjaar gevoel asof die span met ‘n hangover van 2024 speel – baie dieselfde gameplan maar sonder die groot spelers wat daai gameplan in 2024 laat werk het. Pheiffer het teen Affies gelyk na ‘n heeltemal ander speler as wat hy die afgelope jaar gelyk het – ongelooflik. Armitage op 9 (wie nie eerstekeuse was aan die begin van die seisoen nie) lyk asof hy nou moeilik gelig gaan word. Werner de Bruin op agsteman lyk ongelooflik – alles wat jy wil hê in ‘n 8 (en om te dink hy het laasjaar nog slot gespeel!). Daar gaan nog baie strawwe toetse vir hierdie span wees en ons gaan veral moet opskerp in die wye kanale op verdediging, maar hierdie is ‘n bo-verwagting bemoedigende begin vir die seisoen. Hopelik kan die manne nou mooi verder bou by Noord-Suid – Monnas is ‘n grote Vrydag en PBHS kan ook nie meer gering geskat word nie.
@Grizzly (Comment #7)
My enigste kommentaar op jou 21e punte comments is die volgende…..Affies het NIE ‘n Travis Pheiffer op losskakel NIE….
Ek hoor die Grey manne is baie trots op TP se spel…
@OUD ANKER (Comment #6)
Telling kon baie anders gelyk het met bietjie geluk aan Affies kant.Twee keer oor die lyn maar kan nie score nie. Dan die onderskep was n 14 punt reverse. So sit 21 punte by Affies en trek 7 by PRG af. Kon maklik gebeur het. Affies kan op enige dag enige span klop.
@Bungee (Comment #1) Aan all die PRG ondersteuners @Maroon Machine Supporter, @ Snelvuur, wat betref die 1e span wedstryd, fair en square wen vir julle! Geen klagtes om so te verloor nie. Affies het ‘n paar ernstige issues om uit te sort voor die volgende paar wedstryde teen die ander “groot honde”, maar well done aan PRG!
He was brilliant.
@Bungee (Comment #1)
The grade-11 scrumhalf was great
@Maroon machine supporter (Comment #2)
The Monnas pack really fronted up against Grey. Henco van Geelen brings back memories of Ruan Venter and Ryno vd Westhuizen another must watch player. Pity Caleb Sparks picked up what looked like a longer term injury Then they have nice 9. The 10 made the highlights reel for his drop goal and he looks like a great prospect for rugby after school but at school level you want a Kyle Smith/Alzeadon Felix/Travis type. Not a bad backline for Monnas. Juandre Ehlers and Ruan Genis showed last year already that they have the ability to be very influential.
@Bungee (Comment #1)
Still early days, but I agree there is reason for optimism. However, the next game against Monnas at Noord-Suid will be a good indication of what to expect for the rest of the season.
I am extremely impressed by this Paul Roos side, and given that 8/15 are still gr.11, and the strong performances from the u16’s, this especially bodes well for next year.
Lehan Barnard surely has to be one of the front runners for SA Schools hooker, especially as he can cover tight head and flank as well.
Thomas Meyer scrummed exceptionally well against the much hyped Nagel, definitely one to watch this season.
Christian le Roux was excellent at the breakdown.
Albert Nel seems to be the answer at 12, with Paul Roos’s backline looking a lot more threatening with him there and Basson and Hamman shifted outwards.
Discipline remains an issue for this Paul Roos side, 4 yellows is really shocking.
And I do agree with Beet, Affies’ wings do look very promising, they must just figure out how to get the ball to them, because that didnt happen often enough