Can Oos-Moot cause an upset against Nories in NWU Prestige final?
The final of the 2023 NWU Prestige Series has arrived and it promises to be an epic matchup after the drama that has unfolded throughout the series so far.
The deciding match will be played on Saturday, the 6th of May, by the reigning champs, Noordheuwel, and the unlikely challengers, Oos-Moot, who reach the final for the first time ever.
Both teams thoroughly deserve their place in the final after two very different, but equally entertaining campaigns.
Noordheuwel has been unbeatable in the series so far, dominating their group stage and already managing a convincing 48-7 victory over Oos-Moot in their first game of the season before doing away with Oosterlig (55-10) and Potch Volkskool (54-0).
The team from Krugersdorp then eliminated a promising Die Anker in the quarter-finals 69-22.
Their first real test of the season came in the penultimate round against an inspired Heidelberg Volkskool attack, yet the Nories still managed to win that game 29-17.
For Oos-Moot the road to the final has been much more challenging.
The team from Pretoria beat Oosterlig (48-16) in their first match of the season before running into Noordheuwel.
They managed to qualify for the quarter-finals by beating Potch Volkies 31-19 in their last group stage match.
Qualifying second in their group meant that they faced Rustenburg in the playoff stages. Rustenburg were unbeaten in their group and looked to be one of the favourites to reach the final.
The Oos-Moot team galvanized and put in a stunning performance to progress to the semis, beating Rustenburg 37-30 thanks, in part, to a heroic shift put in by their flyhalf, Charl van der Sluis, who managed five penalties, two conversions and a spectacular drop goal, adding 22 points with his boot.
The Pretoria boys then defied the odds again against Hoërskool Middelburg in the semi-finals, winning that match with a relatively comfortable 29-10, looking as if they are only getting better as the season progresses.
So will the rematch be a repeat of the first encounter, or does Oos-Moot have more magic left in them for a big upset?
Whatever the case, spectators at the NWU Puk field in Potchefstroom are sure to be entertained with an epic finale to what has been a rollercoaster of a series.
As mentioned, Van der Sluis is one to watch for Oos-Moot, as is his winger, Tapiwa Rwafa.
They play without their other winger, Ewald Wolmarans, who had the misfortune of being injured in the final training session on Thursday before the big game. Van Zyl Myburgh moves into his position from centre and Ruwan Allen steps up to start in the 12 jersey.
For the team from Krugersdorp, JT Kapank (flyhalf) has also looked sensational this season and is someone who can decide a game, and Keaton van Deventer (winger) has scored some scintillating tries for his side.
The teams:
Noordhewel vs Oos-Moot at 15:30 on the A field
Noordheuwel: 15 Jade Muller, 14 Keaton van Deventer, 13 Marshall de Vos, 12 Jared Coetzee, 11 Divan Cruywagen, 10 JT Kapank, 9 Coun-Lee Koekman, 8 Marco Maree, 7 Ludie Schutte, 6 Jaun Fourie, 5 Donovan Breedt, 4 Rudolph Coetzee, 3 Martin Nel, 2 Jaundre Schoeman, 1 Meyer Opperman.
Oos-Moot: 15 Jeandre de Bruyn, 14 Van Zyl Myburg , 13 Stian Oosthuizen, 12 Ruwan Allen, 11 Tapiwa Rwafa, 10 Charl van der Sluis, 9 Jacques Benade, 8 Gert Hendrik Grobler, 7 Wade Williams, 6 Nathan Kleynhans, 5 Jaydon Botha, 4 Zander Kumm, 3 Christian Smith, 2 Ryan Scott, 1 Braam Bezuidenhout.
Heidelberg Volkskool vs Hoërskool Middelburg at 13:00 on the A field
Heidelberg Volkskool: 15 Kayle Venter, 14 Jeandre Kleynhans, 13 Joshua Booysen, 12 Ruduwaan Rodgers, 11 Rhys Thompson, 10 Keane Duckitt, 9 AJ Engelbrecht, 8 Dian la Grange, 7 Daniel Munro, 6 Francois le Roux, 5 Joshua Munro, 4 Wilco Janse van Rensburg, 3 Handre Strydom, 2 Lian Pelzer, 1 Botshelo Motsepe.
Hoërskool Middelburg: 15 Divan van der Westhuizen, 14 Mthokozisi Yende, 13 Smiley Sibande, 12 Luke Geldenhuys. 11 Blessing Hamandishe, 10 Crawford Joubert, 9 Simtha Maseko, 8 Tjaart Joubert, 7 Tyrell Isaacs, 6 Ronin van Niekerk, 5 Kaylin Maphutha, 4 Paul van der Merwe, 3 Tebogo Nkosi, 2 Ruben Salzwedel, 1 Shaun Marx.
Die Anker vs Rustenburg at 13:00 on the B field
Die Anker: 15 Damian Muller, 14 Marcel Engelbrecht, 13 Duhan du Plessis, 12 Branden Crous, 11 Christiaan Nel, 10 Benton Giessing, 9 Danie Smit, 8 Hanru Pienaar, 7 Divan du Plooy, 6 AJ roux, 5 Reagan Pretorius, 4 Ruben Herbst, 3 Luke Bosley, 2 Dihan de Villiers, 1 Buks Britz.
Rustenburg: 15 Lorenzo Snyers, 14 Christiaan van der Berg, 13 Adriaan Liebenberg, 12 Awie Alberts, 11 Zulu Khumalo, 10 Jaden Meyer, 9 Nathon van Aswegen, 8 MC Smit, 7 Adrian Young, 6 Coenraad Coetzer, 5 Sybrandt Byleveldt, 4 Edrich Potgieter, 3 Carlo van Wijk, 2 Zander Steenkamp, 1 Werner Kinnear.
Wesvalia vs Marais Viljoen at 14:10 on the B field
Wesvalia: 15 Ben Bierman, 14 Teboho Sekonyela, 13 Xander Smit, 12 Deon Viljoen, 11 Werner Kruger, 10 Richardt van Heerden, 9 Chad Hoffmeyer, 8 Hanre Venter, 7 Hennoh Visser, 6 Francois Dumond, 5 Geo van der Smit, 4 Marco Dreyer, 3 Koos Kleynhans, 2 Andre Taute, 1 Heinrich Jansen van Vuuren.
Marais Viljoen: 15 Tyron Bouw, 14 Brandon Els, 13 Tyler Woodruff, 12 Huandre Theron, 11 Trent Casarotti, 10 Franco Horn, 9 Weon van der Vyver, 8 Henrico Germishuizen, 7 Cephas van Biljon, 6 Stephan van Deventer, 5 Dian Scheepers, 4 Bjorn Pieterse, 3 Dylan Alberts, 2 Lohan van Schalkwyk, 1 Calum Botha.
Hugenote vs Lichtenburg at 15:20 on the B field
Hugenote: 15 Leon Jacobs, 14 Ruan van Biljon, 13 Jason Joubert, 12 Vian van Dyk, 11 Tiaan Smit, 10 Corné Pretorius, 9 Miguelle Schoultz, 8 Hendrik Eybers, 7 Tyron Hand,6 Anthony Smith, 5 Zandre van der Schyff, 4 Xavier Ungerer, 3 Liam Davidtz, 2 Diaan Pretorius, 1 Aiden Mazirel.
Lichtenburg: 15 Collen Pereira, 14 Johandre van der Walt, 13 Antonio Vajsel, 12 Benre Pollard, 11 Lukie Benson, 10 Albert Joubert, 9 Nicolas van Staden, 8 Dries Scheepers, 7 Tiaan Booysen, 6 DG Jacobs, 5 John Kleynhans, 4 GJ Malan, 3 Tommie Scott, 2 Eddie du Preez, 1 Donovan Rosato.
Montana vs Potch Gim at 13:00 on the C field
Montana: 15 Divan Nel, 14 Joshua Fouché, 13 SW Nel, 12 JF Venter, 11 Ewald Willemse, 10 Rigard van Rensburg, 9 Ewan Korb, 8 Devan van der Merwe, 7 Eduard Retief, 6 Zandré van Niekerk, 5 Justin Herbst, 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Henco Brits, 2 Christiaan Coetzee, 1 Rico Herholdt.
Potch Gim: 15 Jean Groenewald, 14 Jason Greyvenstein, 13 David Ndala, 12 GJ Hayward, 11 Toks Becker, 10 Justin Oosthuizen, 9 Cronje du Plooy, 8 Dewald Lubbe, 7 Bart du Plooy, 6 Johan Malan, 5 Tobias van Dyk, 4 Daneil Potgieter, 3 Altus van Zyl, 2 Franco van Dyk, 1 Cobus van Rooyen.
Zwartkop vs Jeugland at 14:10 on the C field
Zwartkop: 15 Kieraan Krotz, 14 Milton Naude, 13 Waldo Smith, 12 Wihan van der Berg, 11 Denilson Metcalfe, 10 Jonathan Wilson, 9 Xavier Rabie, 8 Nathan van Aswegen, 7 Jeandre Hanse, 6 Dehan Smit, 5 Ian van der Westhuizen, 4 Johan van Heerden, 3 Xavier Muhua Boikanyo, 2 Reagan Smith, 1 Diaan Franco de Beer.
Jeugland: 15 Oregopotse Shilubane, 14 Billy Rheeder, 13 Lynghe Pretorius, 12 Jeandre Momberg, 11 Thando Ngomane, 10 Nhlanhla Nglovu, 9 Marno Maritz, 8 Mihle Cholepi, 7 Thadiwa Zvomuyo, 6 Rynhardt Olivier, 5 Sharon Nsenda, 4 Shamma Nsenda, 3 Mundile Emeraude, 2 Siyanda Mbanjwa.
Oosterlig vs Potch Volkskool at 15:20 on the C field
Oosterlig: 15 Jayden Bouwer, 14 Joshua Booyens, 13 Joel Jordaan, 12 Jan-Daniel Smit, 11 Dewet Delport, 10 Tristan Els, 9 Jaco du Toit, 8 Ettienne Harmse, 7 Juandre Bekker, 6 Ryan de Sousa, 5 Ruben van der Westhuizen, 4 Keanu Fourie, 3 Heinard Stroebel, 2 Gunther Nel, 1 Divan van der Walt.
Potch Volkskool: 15 Ludwich Shulds, 14 Andre Zillie, 13 Dimiel Nortier, 12 Ethen Leggat, 11 Francois Smit, 10 Diaan van der Merwe, 9 Johandre Maree, 8 Dewald Groenewald, 7 Christof Nel, 6 Wian Alberts, 5 Konrad Pretorius, 4 Johan Malherbe, 3 Johan van Tonder, 2 Andre van Zyl, 1 Brendon Steenkamp.
Other fixtures:
u19B – 11:00: Noordheuwel vs Rustenburg, B field; 11:00: Middelburg vs Wesvalia, C field; 11:00: Die Anker vs Potch Gim, D field; 11:00: Oos-Moot vs Heidelberg Volkies, E field; 11:00: Zwartkop vs Montana, F field; 11:00: Potch Volkies vs Marais Viljoen, G field; 11:00: Jeugland vs Lichtenburg, Gimmies A Field; 11:00: Oosterlig vs Hugenote, Gimmies B field.
u19C – 11:00: Noordheuwel vs Heidelberg Volkies, B field; 15:00: Rustenburg vs Middelburg, D field; 15:00: Die Anker vs Jeugland, E field; 15:00: Oos-Moot vs Potch Gim, F Field; 15:00: Zwartkop vs Wesvalia, G field; 15:00: Montana vs Hugenote, Gimmies A field; 15:00: Marais Viljoen vs Lichtenburg, Gimmies B field; 09:00: Oosterlig vs Potch Volkies, Gimmies C field.
u16A – 13:00: Noordheuwel vs Marais Viljoen, A field; 12:00: Oos-Moot vs Middelburg, C field; 12:00: Rustenburg vs Wesvalia, D field; 12:00: Hugenote vs Heidelberg Volkies, E field; 12:00: Montana vs Die Anker, F field; 12:00: Zwartkop vs Lichtenburg, G field; 12:00: Oosterlig vs Jeugland, Monnas A field; 12:00: Potch Volkies vs Potch Gim, Gimmies B field.
u16B – 08:00: Noordheuwel vs Rustenburg, C field; 09:00: Middelburg vs Marais Viljoen, C Field; 09:00: Die Anker vs Zwartkop, D field; 09:00: Potch Volkies vs Lichtenburg, E field; 09:00: Hugenote vs Wesvalia, F field; 09:00: Montana vs Jeugland, G field; 09:00: Oosterlig vs Heidelberg Volkies, Gimmies A field.
u15A – 12:00: Noordheuwel vs Heidelberg Volkies, A field; 10:00: Zwartkop vs Rustenburg, C field; 10:00: Middelburg vs Potch Gim, D field; 10:00: Potch Volkies vs Hugenote, E field; 10:00: Jeugland vs Wesvalia, F field; 10:00: Die Anker vs Montana, G field; 10:00: Oos-Moot vs Oosterlig, Gimmies A field; 10:00: Lichtenburg vs Marais Viljoen, Gimmies B field.
u15B – 08:00: Zwartkop vs Rustenburg, B field; 14:00: Heidelberg Volkies vs Noordheuwel, D field; 14:00: Die Anker vs Wesvalia, E field; 14:00: Potch Volkies vs Potch Gim, F field; 14:00: Middelburg vs Jeugland, G field; 14:00: Montana vs Hugenote, Gimmies A field; 14:00: Marais Viljoen vs Lichtenburg, Gimmies B field; 08:00: Oosterlig vs Oos-Moot, Gimmies C field.
u14A – 11:00: Noordheuwel vs Rustenburg, A field; 10:00: Zwartkop vs Middelburg, B field; 08:00: Marais Viljoen vs Potch Gim, D field; 08:00: Die Anker vs Oos-Moot, E field; 08:00: Montana vs Wesbalia, F field; 08:00: Potch Volkies vs Heidelberg Volkies, G field; 08:00: Hugenote vs Oosterlig, Gimmies A field; 08:00: Lichtnburg vs Jeugland, Gimmies B field.
u14B – 12:00: Marais Viljoen vs Middelburg, B field; 13:00: Rustenburg vs Noordheuwel, D field; 13:00: Die Anker vs Zwartkop, E field; 13:00: Potch Volkies vs Potch Gim, F field; 13:00: Oos-Moot vs Montana, G field; 13:00: Wesvalia vs Lichtenburg, Gimmies A field; 13:00: Hugenote vs Jeugland, Gimmies B field; 10:00: Oosterlig vs Heidelberg Volkies, Gimmies C field.
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