18 April 2026 sees Pretoria’s four leading rugby schools in action in what promises to be a defining early-season weekend.
At Berepark, a massive clash awaits as hosts Garsfontein take on Affies, while at Hoërskool Kempton Park, Menlopark face Waterkloof in the NWU Skolesportsreeks final — the first piece of silverware on offer this season.
Garsfontein arrive well-rested. Following their remarkable showing at the Noord-Suid tournament, astute long-term planning saw them field their Bosbere 3rd XV at the Saints Easter Rugby Festival the following weekend. The intention was clear: maximise recovery time ahead of this heavyweight encounter with Affies. While there is always a risk that a lack of game time could disrupt rhythm, the bigger picture — with fixtures against Paul Roos and Northwood looming at the ABSA Wildeklawer shortly thereafter — suggests a strategy rooted in depth and foresight, one not all schools are in a position to execute.
Affies, meanwhile, will be highly motivated to set the record straight after a defensively troubling home defeat to Paarl Gim. They started well and finished strongly in that encounter, but a lapse through the middle stages — whether through a loss of defensive shape or being overwhelmed by Gim’s pace and width — proved costly. This weekend’s contest may suit the Witbulle more. Garsfontein tend to favour a direct, up-the-middle approach before spreading play wide, which could play into Affies’ physical strengths. That said, the Bere are far from one-dimensional; their DNA leans toward high-octane rugby meaning they possess the ability to exploit space out wide and can punish any defensive disorganisation. Affies by comparison are evolving their game, so expect the quicker hands and space identification to come with time. The Affies season does not get easier after this test match. Awaiting them in Kimberley a week on are vastly improved and balanced Outeniqua, followed by the sole remaining national Powerhouse 5 game to be played at a festival – the main event against HJS Paarl Boys’ High.
The meeting between Menlopark and Waterkloof in the NWU Skolesportsreeks final has all the ingredients of a thriller. In the broader context, both sides have suffered just one defeat this season, but it is Klofies who have navigated the tougher schedule and, in doing so, shown themselves capable of matching the traditional heavyweights. Finals, however, have a habit of defying logic — often going to the side that wants it more rather than the one that appears stronger on paper.
Menlopark should not be underestimated. Their pack is more than capable of holding its own, and in the current schoolboy rugby landscape, they boast what can best be described as a “giftige agterlyn”. With that kind of attacking threat, they will expect to cross the tryline multiple times — setting the stage for what could be a high-scoring and memorable decider.
| TEAM | GARSFONTEIN | TEAM | AFFIES | ||
| 1 | Andre van Wyk | u17 | 1 | Francois de Beer | u18 |
| 2 | Justin Blom | u19 | 2 | Charl Els | u18 |
| 3 | Ruben Lombard | u17 | 3 | Hannes Nagel | u18 |
| 4 | JJ Fourie | u18 | 4 | Martin van Niekerk | u18 |
| 5 | SW Potgieter | u17 | 5 | Reubenne Vlok | |
| 6 | Stefan vd Vyver | u18 | 6 | Lohan Bitzer | |
| 7 | Derik Potgieter | u18 | 7 | Caleb Pretorius | u17 |
| 8 | Lourenz de Jager | u18 | 8 | Keegan Fourie | |
| 9 | Dean Wilbers | u17 | 9 | Fourie Roberts | u18 |
| 10 | Ruan Fluks | u17 | 10 | Ruben Smith | u17 |
| 11 | Yuvrah George | u18 | 11 | Joshua Gouws | u18 |
| 12 | Keagan Knighton | u18 | 12 | Rico du Plessis | u17 |
| 13 | Levi Jordaan | u18 | 13 | Estian Marx | u18 |
| 14 | Neil de Kock | u18 | 14 | Dandre Brink | u17 |
| 15 | Drewyn Baron | u18 | 15 | Ruben Venter | u17 |
| 16 | Brendon Branford | u18 | 16 | Hendre Ehlers | u17 |
| 17 | Matt Kleingeld | u18 | 17 | Morne Bisset | |
| 18 | Jeandre Tredoux | u18 | 18 | Ewald van Niekerk | u18 |
| 19 | JP Meintjes | u18 | 19 | Rossouw Scheepers | |
| 20 | Francois van Niekerk | u18 | 20 | Alex Muller | u17 |
| 21 | Dian van Aswegen | u18 | 21 | Ethan van Zyl | |
| 22 | Lemarc Henry | u17 | 22 | Juan Ferreira | |
| 23 | Eukan Meyers | u18 | 23 | Dehan Botha | |
| Coach | SYLVESTER BOOYSEN | Coach | RUAN JACOBS |
30-10 up at the break and seemingly out of it. Garsies pace and good decision-making did all the damage. Yuvrah George and Drewyn Barron were lethal. Affies did very well to come back and create that exciting finish.
Have to say Dandre Brink is looking like a top prospect on the wing and Josh Gouws also hot property.
Well done Bere! Bietjie undercooked maar genoeg gedoen in die 1ste helfte. Van Der Vyfer en Blom uitstekend. Groot verbetering vir Affies met nr12 in die agterlyn. Well done beide spanne.
@Loubser (Comment #10)
Die gesprekke in Pretoria in aanloop tot more se Affies/Garsies wedstryd is baie interessant. Wie sou kon dink dat daar ‘n dag sal kom wat Affies sommer oornag as die underdog opdraf teen een van die gemengde buurskole.. Ek weet darem nie, behalwe vir teen 4 of 5 ander skole in die land, draft Affies altyd as die gunsteling op. Dit gaan ‘n massiewe wedstryd wees. Sterkte aan albei.
Interessante opmerkings oor Menlo en Kloof wat jy maak. Menlo lyk goed maar is nog nie regtig getoets die jaar nie, behalwe teen PGim, waarin mens seker nie veel kan lees nie gegewe wat hul met Affies gemaak het nie. Ek voel Waterkloof kan weereens ‘n verrassing wees in die NV. Dink dit kan ‘n close game wees.
Verder sien ek uit na die Middelburg derby, asook natuurlik die grote tussen Gim en GCB.. kan dit uiteindelik die nr1 posisie vir 2026 bepaal? Of dalk die nr2 posisie agter Stellenb ;) Dit sal GCB se uitslag teen Stellenb in konteks plaas.
Lekker naweek en hoop vir geen beserings regoor die land.
Eerstens sterkte aan die Menlo Manne, ek hoop dit gaan n goeie game wees, Kloof is baie goed afgerig, vir menlo gaan dit n kop game wees want aan die 1 kant sit hulle met klomp matrieks wat kloof van Gr8 nog nooit kon wen nie en dan sit jy met die Gr11 seuns in die span wat kloof van GR8 af gewen het, gaan baie interresante game wees.
Dan moet ek se ek kan nie sien dat more goed vir Affies gaan eindig nie, as jy dieselfde klip stoot gaan jy dieselfde uitslag kry ongelukkig, ek sal nederig met my stert tussen my bene se as ek verkeerd was na Saterdag maar dit gaan meer vir my n upset wees as AHS wen op huidige form teen n baie goed afgerigte Garsie span .
Sterkte aan die MenloBoys!!
Bere groot gunstelinge teen Affies
@Grizzly (Comment #4)
GOuws sal eers regwees by Wildeklawer!
@Middies pa (Comment #5)
Goed om te hoor. ‘n “Prelim” gaan ‘n heel ander aanloop en dinamika tot die 1stes se wedstryd by die derby gee. Geniet hom
@agter_die_pale_pa (Comment #2)
Yes I think as MiddiesPa says big derby will still take place….
@agter_die_pale_pa (Comment #2)
The derby is still on and will include all sport codes. This weekend will be a preliminary to the real derby.
Swaar veld voorspel vir Saterdag so dit maak die speel veld gelyk, letterlik. Gesien die Bere teen Jeppe nie daar van gehou nie so glo daai ervaring sal hul beter voor bereid maak. Djou, Piet pompies is daar enige nuus oor Gouws of ander pyne, beserings of veranderings aan die span?
Groot reën verwag Vr en Sa in Pta. Swaar veld kan Affies baie help.
@Kaya 85 (Comment #1) Will this be their only encounter this year? If so, glad the NWU worked out this way.. massive for the town. I remember reading somewhere that they made a plan to continue with the derby even though Middelburg got promoted to the NV cup this year, but dont see it on their fixtures here on this site?
HTS Middelburg face HS Middelburg, also at Kempies on Saturday in the NWU series…social media exploding on the memes this side.