The Jade Brigade aims to end the Maroon Machine’s clean record
Stellenberg High vs Paul Roos Gimnasium
Bellville’s Stellenberg High has ripped off its underdog collar, with SA u18 A players, lock Juvan Burden and flyhalf Ethan van Biljon, at the heart of the school’s rugby evolution.
This season, the Jade Brigade has already upset Paarl Gimnasium 20-19 and Grey College 26-21. At 13:15 on Saturday, the visiting Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) will be the next target on their hit list.
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The Maroon Machine has started strongly in 2026, with their unbeaten record including a 45-28 win over Affies and a 21-17 defeat of Hoërskool Monument.
Saturday’s showdown will include flyhalves rated among the best in the country pulling the strings for their respective sides, with Travis Pheiffer running out opposite Ethan van Biljon.
Last year, in Stellenbosch, Paul Roos scored a dominant 34-5 win. With Stellies pushing PRG hard, an interception try by inside centre Tiaan Basson was the pivotal moment in the match. From there, it was one-way traffic. It’s likely to be a far tighter contest on Saturday.
HTS Drostdy vs Hoërskool Hermanus
Hoërskool Hermanus heads to Worcester as the underdog against HTS Drostdy, but that doesn’t mean the Donkies shouldn’t fear their bite. Kickoff on Saturday is at 13:20.
As has often been the case, Drostdy appears to be just off the pace of the Western Cape powerhouses, but a sound outfit, nonetheless. They opened their 2026 campaign with a 7-24 loss to Paul Roos, but they overwhelmed Wynberg Boys’ High 35-14.
Rather than the Donkies, perhaps a more fitting nickname would be the Dark Horses, which they perpetually seem to be.
In April 2025, the Worcester locals, playing at home, beat Hermanus 51-22.
The stats suggest a similar dominance awaits on Saturday, but 2026 has been the year of the upset, already a season in which the unpredictable has become somewhat predictable, making it the most exciting start to a season in years.
Hoërskool Bellville vs Hoërskool Brackenfell
Last year, in March, the visiting Hoërskool Bellville and Hoërskool Brackenfell drew 15-15.
On Saturday, Bellville will enjoy a home ground advantage, but Brackenfell will be intent on spoiling the hosts’ party. The match serves as the main course at Bellville’s Sports Day, with a late kickoff at 16:10.
Bellville, after five frustrating defeats, will aim to use the occasion of their Sports Day to pick up their first victory of the season. Brakkies were in a similar boat, with three consecutive losses, but they edged out Potchefstroom Gimnasium 13-10 at the Oakdale Festival earlier this month.
Now, with the early-season matches and festivals behind them, both schools should be settled and dialled in to take on their local opposition with renewed energy. Bellville vs Brackenfell is expected to be one of the weekend’s most evenly matched battles.
TEAMS
Stellenberg vs Paul Roos Gim at 12:30 on Saturday.
Stellenberg: 15 Liam Jacobs, 14 Ralton Rhode, 13 JC Swart, 12 Daniel Mongie, 11 Emile Cilliers, 10 Ethan Van Biljon, 9 Daniel Steffen, 8 Yanos Molnar, 7 Carlo Brink, 6 Seth Coetze, 5 Juvan Burden, 4 Jayden Young, 3 Janu Van Deventer, 2 Liam Joubert, 1 Waldo Schloms.
Paul Roos Gim: 15 Kyle Snyers, 14 Jean Hamman, 13 Tiaan Basson (captain), 12 Albert Nel, 11 Cadynn Samuels, 10 Travis Pheiffer, 9 Tristan Armitage, 8 Werner de Bruin, 7 Gerard Bekker, 6 Christian le Roux, 5 Sebastian Cilliers, 4 Stef de Villiers, 3 Zak Steyn, 2 Lehan Barnard, 1 Thomas Meyer.
HTS Drostdy vs Hermanus at 13:20 on Saturday.
HTS Drostdy: 15 Anwill Jacobs, 14 Willvino Paultin, 13 Brent-Leigh Exstraal, 12 Jano Van Deventer, 11 Darren Makeza, 10 Ruan Nortje, 9 Wernard De Villiers, 8 Simamkele Lahlekile, 7 Joniel Claasen, 6 Werno Ramsauer, 5 Jean-Louis Matthee, 4 Eugene Walker, 3 Jurick Van Der Berg, 2 JP Lotriet, 1 Juann Jansen van Vuuren.
Hermanus: N/A.
Hoërskool Bellville vs Brackenfell at 16:10 on Saturday.
Hoërskool Bellville: 15 Alvino Loggenberg, 14 Marlon Claasen, 13 Rian Kuyk, 12 Xandru Büter, 11 Liam Kuyk, 10 Marno Botes, 9 Juvan Rousseau, 8 Cade Mong, 7 Liam Genis, 6 Zandro Stramrood, 5 Corne Smit, 4 Steven Steyl, 3 Zander van Zyl, 2 Ryno Higgs, 1 Alex Cronje.
Brackenfell: N/A.
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