Hoërskool Nico Malan and Queen’s College are set to square off in what promises to be a standout Day 1 main fixture at the Graeme Easter Rugby Festival in Makhanda on Friday, 20 March 2026.
The clash serves as a swift correction to an omission from the 2025 calendar, when both sides enjoyed outstanding seasons but never had the opportunity to meet on the field. This long-awaited encounter now adds extra intrigue, with two of last year’s top performers in the Eastern Province finally going head-to-head.
| TEAM | NICO MALAN | TEAM | QUEEN’S | ||
| 1 | Janu Janse van Rensburg | u18 | 1 | Zeacke Mata | |
| 2 | Reghardt Conradie | u17 | 2 | Ntsika Boya | |
| 3 | Drikus Burger | u18 | 3 | Ahlume Gqetywa | |
| 4 | Ruben van Dijk | u18 | 4 | Ethan Oosthuizen | |
| 5 | Noah Krige | u18 | 5 | Carlo Davids | |
| 6 | Callie de Lange | u18 | 6 | Sivuyile Mnyimba | |
| 7 | Erich van Zyl | u18 | 7 | Zimi Deleki | |
| 8 | Luciano Botha | u18 | 8 | Ayabulela Mbulawa | |
| 9 | Lleyton Mienie | u19 | 9 | Akhona Mzamo | |
| 10 | Masood Knowlden | u17 | 10 | Inganathi Mnunu | |
| 11 | Tequine Koopman | u19 | 11 | Ncutu Kepe | |
| 12 | Kian van Schalkwyk | u18 | 12 | Asive Mzamo | |
| 13 | Ragon Speelman | u17 | 13 | Tyler von Cullwitz | |
| 14 | Kobus Strydom | u18 | 14 | Sinqobile Xhentsa | |
| 15 | Reagan Stone | u19 | 15 | Mthokozisi Mbambo | |
| 16 | Qobo Hulana | u17 | 16 | Nande Thiwani | |
| 17 | Ruan Nel | u18 | 17 | Lihlumile Njokweni | |
| 18 | Liviwe Nelani | u17 | 18 | Amyoli Ngxongwana | |
| 19 | Joliwonga Fihlani | u17 | 19 | U’sphile Mdzeke | |
| 20 | Sima Ozah | u19 | 20 | Kuhle Gidana | |
| 21 | Adrian Rademeyer | u18 | 21 | Thantamisa Galoshe | |
| 22 | Cristiano Goeda | u17 | 22 | Maliq Stellenberg | |
| 23 | Jehu Geswindt | u17 | 23 | Bongolwethu Nyakaza | |
| Coach | JACO NEPGEN | Coach | CLINTON LOEST |
@Rainier (Comment #3) Very true Rainier. Nico Malan over all age groups consistently ranking somewhere between 25-35 in last couple of years. Will be hard pressed to find many similar profiled “plattelandse” community based school higher up in the rankings. NM is a testimony to the talented EC area and the dedication of coaches without the recourse to bursary schemes in a school where exemption to school fees is a significant reality. But these constraints probably some of the reasons for success. Make things work with the talent at your disposal with players getting extra opportunities to develop. Still disheartening though when up to 8 of 2025 u14 team were plundered for duty up north. The school will just have to find more ways to counter this – no use licking your wounds! Should be yet another solid year from Nico Malan on the field.
NM deserves a lot of credit for the way they compete season after season. Their biggest challenge is keeping the talented boys in the Kouga area. Two of the very talented 2026 Grey High /16 team was at Jbay, and from last years Jbay /13 team two of the stars ended up at Noordheuwel and Westville respectively.
Another great choice match up.
Queens started this match like they were going to bury Nico at halftime. They totally controlled the P&T in the first quarter and raced to a very deserved 12-0 lead. Nico pretty much looked like the same team that played against the Kwaggas a weekend earlier. Spirited defenders but without an attacking game.
Then slowly but surely the tide started to turn. NM trusted their process. Played safe but effective ball retention rugby and it seemed like the tackle count started to ware QC out.
NM grew in confidence and started to exploit the gaps. Their hybrid 7 Erich van Zyl was great as a flat first receiver who just never ran out of energy to challenge that gain line. I think NM scored a marvelous try before the break to square things up at 12-12 and then two more tries to get 24-12 ahead before QC scored a late try after conceding 24 points in a row. It seemed to prove to be a conditioning test that I’m sure they want to get right ahead of Easter. They need to secure good ball and then let some of the glam and creative touches they have in the backs do their thing.
Anyways a terrific win for Nico Malan against a rated team.
Queens should squeak in