Can Helpies stop Garsfontein three-peat?

SPOTLIGHT: Garsfontein host Helpmekaar in the Noordvaal Cup final this weekend, while Bishops head into the derby with Rondebosch with renewed hope of an upset.

The final round of the regular season has arrived, and the stakes are particularly high for a few of South Africa’s leading teams.

The Noordvaal Cup final will come to a head this Saturday, with Garsfontein looking to win their third-consecutive title when they host a much-improved Helpmekaar outfit.

Down in the Western Cape, Bishops are looking to finish yet another underwhelming season on a high, while Wynberg are aiming to extend their unbeaten run against their Cape Town’s southern suburbs counterparts.

@Rugby365com takes a closer look at some of the biggest match-ups scheduled for this weekend.

GARSFONTEIN V HELPMEKAAR

Since the start of the season, there’s been a lot of talk about Garsfontein pushing for a Noordvaal Cup hat-trick.

After a minor setback against Noordheuwel, Garsies have hit back to top the tournament table, and ensure that they host the final in Pretoria this Saturday.

Helpmekaar’s rise has not gone unnoticed, with a number of First XV players going on to represent the Golden Lions at the recent U18 Craven Week in Middelburg.

Helpies have won their last eight games in the Noordvaal Cup – a run that includes a 39-36 victory over Noordheuwel in the semi-final.

Helpies will attempt to claim their first Noordvaal Cup title since 1975, and will hope that form rather than history proves decisive.

The most recent clash between the two sides in April ended in a 47-29 victory to Garsies.

The Pretoria outfit proved too strong for Menlopark in the recent semi-final – winning 45-29 – and will be favourites to clinch yet another title.

BISHOPS V RONDEBOSCH

Bishops have recorded back-to-back draws in recent weeks, against SACS and southern suburbs leaders Wynberg.

While Bishops are not the powerhouse they once were – as their six from 19 win-record for the 2025 season confirms – they will take come confidence into the season finale against Rondebosch, which will be staged at the Piley Rees Field.

Rondebosch have blown hot and cold this year, holding national trendsetters Paarl Gym to a draw in March and beating other leading teams like Oakdale, but losing to KES and Stellenberg, among others.

They come into this match on the back of a 0-43 defeat to Wynberg – and should be desperate to end their season on a high.

It’s interesting to note how Rondebosch have dominated in recent times, winning the past four matches,

The most recent meeting ended in a 28-7 victory for Rondebosch.

WYNBERG V SACS

Wynberg’s hopes for a southern suburbs clean sweep were dashed after they drew 26-26 with Bishops two weeks ago, although they certainly made a statement when they hammered Rondebosch last Saturday.

While the sweep is no longer on the cards, Wynberg remain on track to finish as the premier side in the southern suburbs, and with an unbeaten record against Bishops, Rondebosch and SACS across the six-game block.

SACS will be hard pressed to prevent that outcome when they travel to Wynberg this Saturday. They’ve won eight out of 20 this season, and lost 10-21 when they hosted Wynberg this past June.

SELECTED FIXTURES (30 AUGUST)
Garsfontein v Helpmekaar (final)
Bishops v Rondebosch
Wynberg v SACS

RESULTS (23 AUGUST)
Garsfontein 45 Menlopark 29
Helpmekaar 39 Noordeheuwel 36
Nico Malan 17 Framesby 22
Queen’s College 37 Dale 17
SACS 18 Bishops 18
Wynberg 43 Rondebosch 0

Main Photo Credit: Hoërskool Garsfontein