NMI Toyota Noord-Suid’s Water-to-Wine story keeps flowing

If there’s a moral to this story, it’s simple: never underestimate Pieter Rossouw and his good friends at sponsor NMI Toyota’s ability to turn water into wine.

When the Noord-Suid Tournament first kicked off, organisers could barely find a fourth team to take part. Fast forward a decade, and in 2024 Affies hosted 46 matches. By 2026, that number will jump to an incredible 82 games, all staged at the same venue.

The latest expansion includes a development arm, launched in 2025 to attract aspiring rugby schools looking to grow their programmes and gain exposure. Like the original Noord-Suid, it started quietly — and many doubted it would last. But a year later, with Harlequins’ Field in Pretoria secured as an additional venue, the concept is gathering serious momentum.

Across the board, newcomers share one sentiment: Noord-Suid is South Africa’s premier schoolboy rugby festival — the ultimate blend of prestige, exposure and elite competition. Not bad for an event that slipped onto the calendar almost unnoticed back in 2014.

But as Noord-Suid’s star rises, other festivals inevitably feel the pull. The Oakdale Festival in Riversdale looks set to lose several big-name schools — Hugenote (Wellington), Kempton Park, Middelburg, Strand and Zwartkop — all bound for Pretoria in 2026.

Kempton Park was open about the decision. They regard Noord-Suid as not only the most prestigious festival in the country, but also a more cost-effective option, given its proximity. The school hopes the move becomes a long-term arrangement, but if not, they would be more than happy to return to Oakdale. They acknowledge, however, that Oakdale’s popularity may leave no room for returnees.

Zwartkop, one of 2025’s standout 1st XV sides, fell just short of an unbeaten season but made a lasting impression. They couldn’t speak highly enough of Oakdale:

“It’s one of the best 1st team tours in South Africa — the farm is beautiful, the food and accommodation are 110%, and the rugby is lekker tough against the Cape sides.”

Still, they couldn’t turn down Noord-Suid’s call. As they put it:

“The ball is now in Zwarries’ hands — we have to go make a statement.”

For Oos-Moot, the festival represents a springboard. While their 1st XV might not make waves in 2026, there’s a “dream team” feeling about what’s coming in the two seasons after that, and Noord-Suid offers the national platform to showcase that potential.

Wesvalia, meanwhile, view their inclusion as a long-term move. Their junior teams are thriving, and the school is determined to raise its rugby profile.

“We want to play in the bigger tournaments and improve our rugby programme. In two to three years, we hope to compete with the best,”

said loyal director Willem van der Sandt.

Hoërskool Strand Rugby issued a statement that summed up the sentiment perfectly:

We are extremely excited to announce our participation in the Noord/Suid Tournament 2026. This marks a monumental step in the growth of our rugby program. Our players have been putting in the hard work, and this opportunity represents a major milestone in their development.
Over the past few years, we’ve invested heavily in building our rugby structures and developing our players—both on and off the field. With SA Springbok coaches consulting and assisting our program, we’re ensuring our players receive the same level of opportunity and exposure as those from the country’s biggest schools.
At the heart of our mission is one simple goal: to look after our players and equip them with the tools they need to perform at the highest level of the game.
Competing in the Noord/Suid Tournament is not just another fixture—it’s a key part of our long-term development plan. Hoërskool Strand Rugby is entering a new and exciting era, and we are truly honoured to be part of such a prestigious tournament

Elsewhere, Transvalia and Witteberg also make headlines in 2025. Transvalia impressed as a 1^st XV in the Noordvaal Cup Premier League, while Witteberg of Bethlehem made history by winning the Griffons Liga and reaching the Kovsies final — both school firsts.

Witteberg’s young rugby director Christo van der Nest added:

This opportunity is truly an honour for our school, our players, and our entire rugby community.
Following an exceptional 2025 season, Witteberg Rugby has reached new heights. We are proud to have produced seven Craven Week players this year and, for the first time in our school’s history, secured the Griffons League title — a testament to the dedication and passion of our players, coaches, and supporters.
During the 2025 season, we had the privilege of competing at the Robday Sports Festival hosted by Bergsig Akademie in Rustenburg. The experience was valuable, and the competition strong, but we recognise that Noord-Suid offers a platform unlike any other — a stage where the very best schools in South Africa test themselves against true top-tier opposition.
We are particularly excited about our 2026 fixtures against Hoërskool Middelburg and Hoërskool Zwartkop, two proud rugby schools with rich traditions. These encounters promise to be competitive, high-quality spectacles that will showcase the character and growth of Witteberg Rugby.
On behalf of everyone at Hoërskool Witteberg, I would like to thank you and the Noord-Suid organising committee for including us in such a prestigious event. We look forward to representing our school, our town, and the Griffons region with pride and sportsmanship.

From struggling to fill a fixture list to becoming the heartbeat of South Africa’s April rugby festival season, Noord-Suid’s journey is a story of vision, perseverance, and community spirit — a tournament that keeps turning water into wine.

NMI TOYOTA NOORD-SUID @ HARLEQUINS
Fri.27Mar	VAL	Transvalia	vs	Strand	WP
Fri.27Mar	BUL	Oos-Moot	vs	Hugenote	BOL
Sat.28Mar	LEO	Wesvalia	vs	Windhoek Gim	NAM
Sat.28Mar	LEO	Klerksdorp	vs	Kempton Park	VAL
Mon.30Mar	VAL	Transvalia	vs	Hugenote	BOL
Mon.30Mar	BUL	Oos-Moot	vs	Strand	WP
Tue.31Mar	VAL	Kempton Park	vs	Windhoek Gim	NAM
Tue.31Mar	LEO	Klerksdorp	vs	Trio	GRF
Tue.31Mar	BUL	Zwartkop	vs	Witteberg	GRF