The final day of the NMI Toyota Noord-Suid 2026 tournament saved some of its best moments for last. Stellenberg beat Grey College for the first time in their history, Paarl Gimnasium ran in ten tries against Menlopark to finish the week as the tournament’s most dominant side, and Affies signed off with a home win against Durbanville in a fitting end to four days of compelling schools rugby in Pretoria.
HTS Middelburg 31 Nico Malan 28
HTS Middelburg opened the scoring after sustained pressure, flanker Reghard Blake forcing his way over with Ruhan Jansen van Vuuren adding the conversion. Nico Malan responded with some ambitious ball movement that looked untidy at times but Masood Knowlden made the most of it, finishing well with Leighton Lawrence converting. Nico Malan then took a quick tap from a penalty, Janu Janse van Rensburg finding Callie de Lange with a sharp pass and the flanker going over to put the Eastern Cape side in front.
It was a pattern that continued throughout a first half that swung repeatedly. Middelburg’s big lock burst through the middle for a fine individual try to level things, before Nico Malan struck again with time up to lead 21-14 at the break.
The second half continued in the same vein. Middelburg’s backs crashed over after ten minutes of sustained pressure in Nico Malan’s red zone, then showed real class to score a fourth try and retake the lead at 28-21. Nico Malan levelled at 28-all with seven minutes remaining and the match looked destined for a share of the spoils.
But Cornelius Erasmus had the final say, slotting a penalty that proved decisive. His composed display from the tee – three conversions and that crucial penalty – was the difference between the two sides. Jacques Greyling made a strong impact at outside centre throughout, with Nathan Jansen van Vuuren delivering a sound defensive performance that was vital to Middelburg holding on.
For Nico Malan, Leighton Lawrence was flawless with the boot, converting all four of his side’s tries, and fullback Masood Knowlden was impressive throughout in a brave effort that fell just short.
Wesvalia 28 Middelburg 22
A see-saw contest that changed hands several times before Wesvalia edged it with two crucial late penalties from Wian du Preez, who took over kicking duties from Dundré Hales and made them count when it mattered most.
Both teams scored two tries each in a competitive first half that left Wesvalia edging ahead 14-12 at the break. The second half continued in the same scrappy, competitive manner with neither side able to pull clear. Middelburg’s fullback Jano Wilson kept his side in it with his boot throughout, converting twice and adding a penalty, but Wesvalia won the try count four to three and that proved the difference.
Damian Potgieter, Du Preez, Ruben de Klerk, and Fanie Linde all crossed for Wesvalia. For Middelburg, Kgontse Masilela, Melchior van Niekerk, and Siyabonga Mokgoatjana scored, but they could not find the fourth try that might have changed the outcome.
Rustenburg 47 Welkom Gim 8
Welkom Gimnasium never got going and Rustenburg made them pay in full, running out comfortable 47-8 winners in a one-sided contest that was effectively over before half-time.
Ricardo Enos was the architect of everything good about Rustenburg’s display. The flyhalf contributed 17 points, scored a try of his own, and pulled the strings throughout with a performance that earned him player of the match. His kicking was accurate, his decision-making sharp, and when he had the ball in hand he was a constant threat.
The platform for his influence was built by a centre pairing that unlocked Welkom’s defence repeatedly. Aydan Willemse crossed twice, his pace and directness causing problems from the first whistle, and Zak Swanepoel added another as Rustenburg’s backline had far too much for their opponents. Flanker Pieta Niemandt was prominent throughout for Rustenburg, and Lian Boshoff, Xander Stickling, and a late brace from Aiden Phillips – the second right on the buzzer – completed the scoring. Enos converted six.
Welkom managed a penalty from Jadewin Solomons and a single try from Gimo Nafta but were never in the contest. A tough day for a side that had threatened so much earlier in the tournament.
Helpemekaar 50 Boland Landbou 22
Helpmekaar saved their best for last. After a difficult tournament opener against Grey College, they finished the week in style, cutting through Boland Landbou’s defence with a pace and precision that the Western Cape side simply could not match.
They were out of the blocks immediately, scoring a brilliant try within five minutes as their backs moved the ball with speed and purpose. Boland Landbou replied with a Divan Meyer penalty but that was as good as it got for them in the first half. Helpmekaar scored three tries in quick succession to lead 24-3 at the break, their attack too fast and too accurate for a Boland defence that kept finding itself on the wrong side of the gain line.
Boland came out a different side after half-time, using their forwards to crash into Helpmekaar and cutting the lead to 24-8 and then 24-14 before Helpmekaar steadied. A winger with great footwork extended the lead to 29-15, and two late tries pushed it out to 43-15 before Boland grabbed a consolation. Helpmekaar had the final word with another try to close it out at 50-22.
Substitute winger Zuan Krige was the standout, finishing with a hat-trick and taking player of the match honours. Fullback Xander van Niekerk was equally dangerous, crossing twice, while the Lourens twins – Ethan at inside centre and Shaye at scrumhalf – were both on the scoresheet and influential throughout. Number eight Ruann Bester made metres every time he carried.
For Boland, Divan Meyer could be satisfied with his own display despite the scoreline.
Oakdale 27 Noordheuwel 19
Oakdale had to work harder than they would have liked against a Noordheuwel side that set their defensive line early and made every single point a battle. This was trench warfare from the first whistle and Oakdale’s composure and clinical finishing out wide was ultimately the difference.
Noordheuwel’s physicality was evident throughout – loose forward Kean Lourens and lock pairing Jared Coetzer and Robert Hurn led a defensive effort that was relentless in its intensity. The Nories made tackle after tackle and kept Oakdale honest for the full 80 minutes, the scores level at 12-all at half-time reflecting just how competitive the contest was.
Nathan-Lee Gordon was Oakdale’s match-winner, crossing twice and adding a conversion to contribute 12 points. His first came after patient Oakdale build-up play that eventually created the space out wide, his second a well-taken score that gave Oakdale the cushion they needed. Dylan Jordaan and Myburgh Eksteen also crossed, with Caleb Williams converting twice to keep the scoreboard moving.
Noordheuwel never stopped coming. Kean Lourens, Miguel Elliott, and Llewellyn Lourens all crossed with Devonde Hoff converting two, and they were within a score for large stretches of the second half. But Oakdale held firm.
Paarl Gim 73 Menlopark 17
Paarl Gimnasium saved one of their best performances for last, brushing aside Menlopark 73-17 on the final day to underline their status as the standout side of the tournament.
Corné Niemand was the headline act, crossing four times to finish the tournament in style. His third was the pick of the lot – an interception deep inside his own 22 that he converted into a length-of-the-field try that had the crowd on their feet. Despite that haul, Niemand’s performance was arguably eclipsed by number eight Hendré van Zyl, who was outstanding with ball in hand and as a link player throughout – a reminder that Paarl Gim’s loose trio is as good as any at this level. Louis Koen was his customary reliable self from the tee, landing seven conversions.
Sebastian Bekker, Dirk Hugo, Ethan Barker, Thomas Saunders, Karel Dirker, and Ruan Lindeque all crossed as Paarl Gim ran in ten tries in total, with a penalty try adding to the damage.
Menlopark’s Lucian Reed was their standout, crossing twice and causing Paarl Gim problems on the right wing. Juan Joubert added a third with Willie Pieterse converting one, but it was a difficult afternoon for a Menlopark side that had shown so much promise earlier in the week.
Stellenberg 26 Grey College 21
History was made on the final day of the Noord-Suid tournament. Stellenberg beat Grey College for the first time ever, a 26-21 victory that capped a remarkable week for the Jade Brigade – who had also beaten Paarl Gimnasium earlier in the season. Two major scalps in one year is no small thing.
Grey dominated the opening exchanges but Stellenberg’s defence held firm until the College backs struck from a Stellenberg up-and-under, Jonathan Drysdale finishing off a movement that started in Grey’s own 22 with Lamla Mgedezi laying the groundwork. Stellenberg hit back almost immediately through the driving maul and scored a second the same way to lead 12-7. Grey converted two penalties late in the half to edge back in front 13-12 at the break.
The second half was equally tight. Grey opened with a third penalty to lead 16-12 before Stellenberg worked their way into the red zone and scored to retake the lead. A third lineout maul try extended it to 26-16 with 15 minutes remaining and Grey needing two scores. They found one – a brilliant team try to make it 21-26 – but could not find another.
Captain and number eight Yanos Molnar was named man of the match for a physical, driving performance that set the tone for everything Stellenberg did. Lock Juvan Burden battled through a shoulder injury to keep making tackles and cleaning rucks, and Ralton Rhode and Seth Coetze also crossed. Ethan van Biljon converted twice.
For Grey, Christoff Crous landed three penalties and a conversion but two tries was not enough. Niel du Randt ran hard throughout and JG Horn crossed for Grey’s second, but the Bloemfontein side were beaten by a Stellenberg outfit that wanted it more on the day.
Affies 24 Durbanville 13
Affies won on home soil to close out their Noord-Suid campaign, but Durbanville made them work for every point in a scrappy contest that was closer than the final scoreline suggests.
Affies used their big forwards to build the platform early, crossing twice inside the first ten minutes to lead 12-0. Durbanville clawed back to 12-3 with a De Wet Viljoen penalty and that was the half-time score, Affies unable to pull further clear despite their early dominance.
The second half continued in the same vein. Affies extended to 19-3 within five minutes of the restart but Durbanville refused to fold. Malherbe Louw produced a phenomenal individual try to cut the gap to 19-10, and a Viljoen penalty brought it back to 19-13 with twelve minutes remaining. Durbanville were within a score and the contest was alive.
Affies steadied when they needed to most. Capitalising on a poor Durbanville kick, they worked the ball to the corner and scored to make it 24-13, and from there they held on comfortably. Reubenne Vlok crossed twice, with Joshua Gouws and Dandré Brink also scoring. Reuben Smith converted twice.
For Durbanville, Viljoen’s two penalties and conversion kept his side competitive but one try was never going to be enough against a home side playing with confidence.
15) Kyle van Staden (Affies)
14) Zuan Krige (Helpmekaar)
13) Ethan Barker (Paarl Gim)
12) Aydan Willemse (Rustenburg)
11) Nathan-Lee Gordon (Oakdale)
10) Wian du Preez (Wesvalia)
9) Lorenzo Brogneri (Durbanville)
8) Yanos Molnar (Stellenberg)
7) Hendre van Zyl (Paarl Gim)
6) Corne Niemand (Paarl Gim)
5) Ruben Kruger (HTS Middelburg)
4) Reubenne Vlok (Affies)
3) Janu van Deventer (Stellenberg)
2) Adrian Smith (Oakdale)
1) Kyle Beyleveld (Helpmekaar)
