Garsfontein set sights on third Noordvaal Cup Final
PREVIEW: Garsfontein tackle Menlopark in the Noordvaal Cup semi-finals this weekend, while Queen’s College host arch-rivals Dale in the big Eastern Cape derby.
The 2025 school season is winding down, although many of the top teams have already concluded their respective campaigns.
Paarl Boys High and Paarl Gym contested the unofficial schools’ Final earlier this month, while Grey College edged Paul Roos 26-25 in Bloemfontein last Saturday to finish as ‘best of the rest’.
There’s still plenty to play for in the last two weeks of the season, as the Noordvaal Cup reaches a climax, and several other derbies are staged in the Eastern and Western Cape.
@Rugby365com takes a closer look at some of the biggest match-ups scheduled for this weekend.
GARSFONTEIN V MENLOPARK
Garsfontein beat EG Jansen 31-24 last Saturday to secure top spot in the Noordvaal Cup standings.
As a result, Garsies will host a semifinal – and possibly a Final – and the dream to clinch a third-consecutive Noordvaal Cup title is well and truly alive.
Menlopark started the season well, beating the likes of Outeniqua and Nelspruit, and drawing with Waterkloof.
An eight-game unbeaten run was followed by four straight losses. Since then, Menlopark have bounced back to secure three wins in a row and qualify for the semifinals.
Menlopark will start this Pretoria derby as underdogs, having lost the previous fixture against Garsfontein 27-40.
The other Noordvaal Cup semifinal will be contested by Helpmekaar and Noordheuwel.
QUEEN’S V DALE
It’s been a season to remember for Queen’s, who have won 15, lost three and drawn one.
While Queen’s recently lost 17-20 to Graeme College in what was essentially an Eastern Cape schools Final, they should be more than a match for a struggling Dale side, especially at home.
Dale comes into this match with a record of four wins in 19 matches.
They may have been buoyed by the fact that their last battle against Queen’s was closely contested, although they still went down 13-21.
SACS V BISHOPS
Bishops recorded something of an upset when they held Wynberg to a 26-all draw at the Piley Rees Field last weekend.
Wynberg have been the leading team in Cape Town’s southern suburbs this season – and are yet to lose a match to the likes of Rondebosch, Bishops and SACS.
The recent draw ended Wynberg’s hopes of a clean sweep, although they could remain unbeaten in the region if they down Rondebosch and SACS in the coming weeks.
Bishops have had another tough season and will be desperate to finish on a high.
After going toe to toe with Wynberg, they should head into their next clash at SACS with confidence. The most recent match between the two sides in May ended in a 14-all draw.
SACS are coming off a narrow 20-23 defeat at Rondebosch.
SELECTED FIXTURES (AUGUST 23)
Garsfontein v Menlopark
Helpmekaar v Noordeheuwel
Muir v Daniel Pienaar
Nico Malan v Framesby
Queen’s College v Dale
SACS v Bishops
Wynberg v Rondebosch
RESULTS (AUGUST 16)
EG Jansen 24-31 Garsfontein
Menlopark 30-26 Rustenburg
Waterkloof 29-28 Monument
Transvalia 14-14 Noordheuwel
Grey College 26-25 Paul Roos
Muir 26-29 Graeme College
Selborne 27-14 Grey High
Queen’s College 59-6 Cambridge
Durbanville 14-21 Stellenberg
Dale 10-16 Hudson Park
Rondebosch 23-20 SACS
Bishops 26-26 Wynberg
