The Noordvaal Cup premier league came into existence in 2018 with eight schools competing. Prior to this the most sort after schoolboy rugby trophy in South Africa consisted of several macro schools’ regional leagues which fed into rounds of knockout playoff rugby.
During 2017 Waterkloof had been ejected from the competition after failing to honour a match against Garsfontein. This meant that the Klofies were not part of the first proper premier league of eight. They were however reinstated ahead of the 2019 season, which increased the league size to nine schools teams. This was a nice symmetric four home games and four away games per team setup.
After the conclusion of the 2023 season, destined for relegation Menlopark received a stay of execution, as part of an expansion of all the lower leagues as well. So with Rustenburg being promoted, it means that 10 schools will now take part in 2024.
Making the year extra exciting is that there is no clear-cut favourite for the title. There are going to be a good few matches where even the pundits will not want to commit to a winner.
The likes of EG Jansen, defending champions Garsfontein, Helpmekaar, Monument, up and coming Noordheuwel and Waterkloof have all shown what they are capable of when they play to the full potential – a very high level indeed. As is always the case with most schoolboy rugby, all six have their off days as well. One feels that this year’s title challenge may well boil down to staying in the chase and then peaking at the right time when cup BMT is most required.
The battles are not just limited to the top end, with relegation being a reality for one school at the end of the campaign. Every single point earned counts. The relegation decision is based on the combined effort and points accumulated by all the qualifying age-group teams of each school and not just the 1st XV’s. It’s the results and the number of teams fielded that contribute to the ProReg points table. With the compo so hot, expect to see some good quality rugby produced by the likes of Marais Viljoen, Menlopark, Nelspruit and Rustenburg as well.
This Saturday, 11 May 2024 marks the first full weekend of fixtures:
| Noordvaal Cup – week ending 11 May 2024 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat.11May | BUL | Waterkloof | vs | Garsfontein | BUL | NV Cup |
| Sat.11May | LIO | Noordheuwel | vs | Rustenburg | LEO | NV Cup |
| Sat.11May | LIO | Helpmekaar | vs | Nelspruit | PUM | NV Cup |
| Sat.11May | LIO | Monument | vs | Menlopark | BUL | NV Cup |
| Sat.11May | VAL | EG Jansen | vs | Marais Viljoen | LIO | NV Cup |
Baie geluk Kloof. Julle verdien die wen.
@Grizzly (Comment #8)
Respek
@BlouLou (Comment #7)
Baie geluk.Well done Kloof en wecome back.Met daai hoof gaan dit virentoe net beter gaan.Great vir Pta rugby.
Well played Garsies. Dit was close!
@Wonder (Comment #5)
Is dit 100% bevestig dat Mnr. Erasmus blaas?
Kloof is natuurlike volslae gunstelinge by die Eerste spanne.
Ek hoor Mr.Erasmus blaas weer morê, dis nou die fantastiese ref wat Garsies/Stellies geblaas het.
@Jakes (Comment #3)
Noordheuwel gaan vir Rustenburg sweets gee, hulle speel by NH.
@kantako (Comment #2)
Nee ek dink die Garsfontein/ Waterkloof game gaan baie close en hard wees en so ook Noordheuwel/Rustenburg.
@Jakes (Comment #1)
Easy games vir al die spanne aan die linkerkant die naweek. Lyk my dit is die wenkant en regs is die witkant
Garsfontein vs Waterkloof might be the CUP game of the weekend. The big Pretoria derby