Maritzburg College set for Affies acid test, Stellenberg brace for Outeniqua
PREVIEW: A much-improved Maritzburg College will have their hands full with Affies this weekend, while Outeniqua head to Stellenberg with a point to prove.
The second phase of the schools season kicks off this Saturday, following the break for the winter holidays and the U18 Craven Week tournament.
Maritzburg College will host Affies while Durban High School tackle Jeppe in the biggest interprovincial clashes of the weekend.
Grey College will look to revive their season via a win agaisnt English side Harrow, and build some momentum ahead of the showdown with Paul Roos on August 15.
The Paarl heavyweights will be in action this weekend, but will have one eye on the annual derby – which will be staged at Faure Street Stadium next week.
Paarl Gim have been the form side in the country this season, but will have no room for complacency, given that they lost to Boishaai in 2025.
Meanwhile, a young Boishaai side will aim to finish a relatively disappointing season with a statement-making win.
There will be no shortage of schools action in the Eastern Cape this weekend.
Like their western counterparts, form teams Graeme and Dale may be more concerned with building momentum ahead of the marquee meeting in Makhanda on August 1.
Rugby365 looks ahead to some of the big match-ups scheduled for Saturday.
MARITZBURG COLLEGE V AFFIES
Maritzburg College have won nine of their 14 games, a run that includes victories against DHS, Northwood and Hilton.
They pushed Stellenberg close at the Wildeklawer tournament in April, and came within two points of downing a strong Outeniqua outfit.
More recently, they have racked up five wins in their last six games.
Affies have fired in patches this year, winning nine of their 13 games – a record that includes victories over Grey College and Outeniqua, but losses to other top dogs like Paul Roos, Garsfontein and Gimmies – plus a shock defeat to Michaelhouse.
Affies beat Martizburg College 45-27 in Pretoria last season, and won 39-37 when the two teams met in the KwaZulu-Natal capital back in 2024.
The Wit Bulle have won their last five matches, and may fancy their chances of claiming a sixth-straight victory this weekend.
That said, the hosts will believe they can force an upset – and will take heart from Michaelhouse’s big win against the Pretoria juggernauts earlier this season.
As was the case on that occasion, the performance of the pack will shape the result.
STELLENBERG V OUTENIQUA
Stellenberg have won 14 from 16 in 2026 – and have emerged as one of the leading teams in the country.
Stellenberg are the only team to beat Gimmies this season – and if they finish this part of the schedule unbeaten, and if Gimmies lose the upcoming Paarl derby, then the Jade Brigade will move to the top of the unofficial rankings.
Stellenberg’s winning run includes victories against other top teams like Grey College, Paul Roos, and Oakdale.
They’ve been particularly dominant at home, winning all eight matches.
Can the Kwaggas end that streak this Saturday?
Like Stellenberg, Outeniqua have been on the rise in recent seasons.
They’ve been competitive against many of the leading sides in 2026, losing by fewer than seven points against Boishaai and Oakdale.
They’ve beaten top 20 schools like Maritzburg College and Boland Landbou, but are yet to topple one of the leading teams.
It’s fair to say that a victory against the Jade Brigade in Bellville would be some statement.
OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH
With three rounds to play, Garsfontein lead the Noordvaal Cup log with 29 points, followed by Monument (21), Noordheuwel (19), Waterkloof (16), Helpmekaar (14) and Middelburg (12).
Monument could boost their points tally this weekend when they travel to Middelburg, while Noordheuwel will improve their chances of a top-two finish if they win at Menlopark.
Down in the Western Cape, most of the Winelands teams should prove too strong for their Cape Town counterparts – although Wynberg will fancy their chances of victory at Boland Landbou.
SELECTED FIXTURES JULY 25
NOORDVAAL
KES v Pretoria Boys
EG Jansen v Waterkloof
Rustenburg v Helpmekaar
Menlopark v Noordheuwel
Middelburg v Monument
CENTRAL
Grey College v Harrow
Diamantveld v Goudveld
KWAZULU-NATAL
DHS v Jeppe
Glenwood v Northwood
Maritzburg College v Affies
EASTERN CAPE
Ooskus Gim v Dale
Cambridge v Queens College
Selborne v Hudson Park
Framesby v Grey High
Graeme v Pearson
Kingswood v Stirling
WESTERN CAPE
Paarl Gim v Rondebosch
SACS v Paul Roos
Stellenberg v Outeniqua
Boland Lanbou v Wynberg
Durbanville v Boishaai
Drostdy v Oakdale
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