Five to watch – The centre of attention at the Noord/Suid
The 11th NMI Toyota North/South tournament will, undoubtedly, feature many of South Africa’s most talented young rugby players in action. However, the battles in the midfield will be the “centre” of attention.
Follow all the action live on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)
It is, after all, in that department where the South African Schools selectors will have an abundance of exciting players to choose from, with players like Affies‘ Nicholaas Grobler and Helpmekaar‘s Ty Ax eager to throw their names into the hat for the 13 jersey.
Thus far, however, it has been a two-horse race between Grey College‘s bruising Ethan Adams and Markus Muller, from Paarl Gimnasium, who both feature in SuperSport Schools Plus’s Five to Watch for the 2025 North/South Tournament.
Ethan Adams – Grey College
Widely known as Ethan “The Tank” Adams, thanks to the popular voice of Johan “Spoed” Smith on SuperSport Schools commentary, Adams has been a massive figure, literally and figuratively, in the rugby giants from Bloemfontein’s backline. In 2024, when he was in grade 11, he was selected for the South African Schools side. His powerful runs in the midfield have made defending against the Grey side especially difficult. Alongside his effectiveness on attack, he doesn’t shy away from putting in some big hits on defence, too.
Markus Muller – Paarl Gimnasium
The try-scoring machine from Paarl Gimnasium, Markus Muller, will seek to keep making the dive for five in his team’s two outings in Stellenbosch. In 2024, Muller followed in the footsteps of the famous Gimmies’ centre and Springbok captain, Jean de Villiers, when he became the second player from Western Province to make a South African Schools side from the Western Province XV team. His superb vision and big-match temperament will be one of the keys to Gim’s success at the Noord/Suid Tournament.
Ruben Groenewald – Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool
When speaking about a mature head on young shoulders, the Wit Bulle and Affies’ fly half, Ruben Groenewald, comes to mind. Possessing the vision of an experienced 10, Groenewald is the orchestrator of the Wit Bulle’s attack, especially with a dangerous midfield consisting of Divan Fourie and Nicholaas Grobler on his outside. He also possesses a well-considered tactical kicking game, which regularly turns the opposition around and puts Affies’ massive pack of forwards on the front foot.
Gert Kemp – Paul Roos Gimnasium
Talking about tanks, the hosts’ openside flanker, Gert Kemp, deserves a special mention. His high work rate all over the field is immense and that makes him a big weapon in the Maroon Machine‘s arsenal for a second consecutive year. He will give Garsfontein and Noordheuwel all they can handle at breakdown time. Kemp is proficient at creating turnover ball, and that skill makes Paul Roos very dangerous as they turn defence into attack.
Luan van den Berg – Garsfontein
One of the best scrummagers at the tournament this year, Luan “Proppie” van den Berg, will look to lead a dominant Garsfontein pack from the front row. He will be a strong contender for a place in the SA Schools side later this year and will be especially familiar to SA Schools’ scrum coach Cobus van Dyk, who is at the Noord/Suid Tournament with his Waterkloof side.
