Goal-kicking proved to be the game-changer as Vanderbijlpark’s Transvalia pulled off a sensational upset in the Noordvaal Cup Premier Division, stunning hosts Menlopark 47-27 to keep their unbeaten streak alive.
Both 1st XV sides crossed the whitewash five times, but it was Valia’s boot that made all the difference. They coolly slotted all five conversions, three penalties, and even a classy drop goal — while Menlo could only manage a single conversion in reply.
At the start of the season, few gave Valia much of a chance, with many tipping them for relegation. But they’ve flipped the script in spectacular fashion, currently sitting clear of the likes of EG Jansen and Nelspruit in the survival battle.
Now, with momentum firmly on their side, Valia’s 1st XV have a shot at securing a semi-final spot — an outcome that seemed almost unthinkable just weeks ago. There’s still a lot of rugby to play, but make no mistake: Transvalia are no longer just fighting to stay up — they’re fighting to go to the playoffs.
Estimated table (unofficial)
| # | SCHOOL | REG | P | W | D | L | PD | MP | BP | PTS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | SF | F | |
| 1 | Helpmekaar | LIO | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 54 | 16 | 6 | 22 | GAR | MEN | NH | NEL | EGJ | MON | WK | TRA | RUS | |||
| 29-47 | 33-36 | 36-00 | 22-13 | 35-15 | 53-43 | – | – | – | ||||||||||||||
| 2 | Garsfontein | BUL | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 77 | 16 | 4 | 20 | HMK | WK | MEN | NEL | RUS | TRA | MON | NH | EGJ | |||
| 47-29 | 53-19 | 40-27 | 32-20 | – | – | – | – | – | ||||||||||||||
| 3 | Transvalia | LIO | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 12 | 2 | 14 | RUS | EGJ | MEN | MON | GAR | HMK | NEL | WK | NH | |||
| 20-13 | 39-26 | 47-27 | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||||||||||||||
| 4 | Menlopark | BUL | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | -15 | 8 | 3 | 11 | HMK | NEL | WK | GAR | TRA | EGJ | MON | NH | RUS | |||
| 36-33 | 40-17 | 19-27 | 27-40 | 27-47 | – | – | – | – | ||||||||||||||
| 5 | Waterkloof | BUL | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -8 | 8 | 2 | 10 | NEL | GAR | MEN | RUS | EGJ | HMK | NH | TRA | MON | |||
| 24-31 | 19-53 | 27-19 | 40-15 | – | – | – | – | – | ||||||||||||||
| 6 | Noordheuwel | LIO | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | -10 | 8 | 2 | 10 | HMK | MON | EGJ | NEL | RUS | WK | GAR | MEN | TRA | |||
| 00-36 | 43-27 | 55-45 | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||||||||||||||
| 7 | EG Jansen | VAL | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -35 | 4 | 3 | 7 | MON | TRA | HMK | NH | WK | MEN | RUS | NEL | GAR | |||
| 39-31 | 26-39 | 15-35 | 45-55 | – | – | – | – | – | ||||||||||||||
| 8 | Rustenburg | LEO | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -26 | 4 | 2 | 6 | TRA | NEL | WK | GAR | NH | EGJ | HMK | MON | MEN | |||
| 13-20 | 38-32 | 15-40 | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||||||||||||||
| 9 | Nelspruit | PUM | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -43 | 4 | 2 | 6 | WK | MEN | HMK | RUS | GAR | NH | MON | TRA | EGJ | |||
| 31-24 | 17-40 | 13-22 | 32-38 | 20-32 | – | – | – | – | ||||||||||||||
| 10 | Monument | LIO | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -34 | 0 | 3 | 3 | EGJ | NH | HMK | TRA | NEL | GAR | MEN | RUS | WK | |||
| 31-39 | 27-43 | 43-53 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| # | PROREG | REG | P | PTS | AVG |
| 1 | Helpmekaar | LIO | 6 | 167.0 | 27.83 |
| 2 | Garsfontein | BUL | 4 | 130.5 | 32.63 |
| 3 | Menlopark | BUL | 5 | 110.0 | 22.00 |
| 4 | Waterkloof | BUL | 4 | 88.5 | 22.13 |
| 5 | Nelspruit | PUM | 5 | 86.0 | 17.20 |
| 6 | Noordheuwel | LIO | 3 | 81.0 | 27.00 |
| 7 | Transvalia | LIO | 3 | 77.0 | 25.67 |
| 8 | Rustenburg | LEO | 3 | 77.0 | 25.67 |
| 9 | EG Jansen | VAL | 4 | 76.5 | 19.13 |
| 10 | Monument | LIO | 3 | 70.5 | 23.50 |
I saw Valia back in 2011, 2012 era. They were seriously good and tough, skillful fast, hard as nails…roughly on par with those Helpies teams who they played in the knockout stages of the old Beeld Groot skole (i.e. not Macro…).
Proper programme at the school, very underrated. But I for one am not surprised at all, very happy for them, like them a lot.
Congratulations Transvalia well deserved win! The difference was not only the goal-kicking. Tranvalia was the better team on the day.
Aan die MenloBoys daar is nog baie om voor te speel!