The collisions are about to echo across the hallowed turf of Affies once again. South Africa’s premier schoolboy rugby tournament, the Noord-Suid, bursts back into action on Friday morning, and this year’s edition promises to be the most explosive yet.

The tournament, which has found its spiritual home at Affies, serves as the ultimate proving ground where northern powerhouses lock horns with southern giants. It’s where reputations are forged in the furnace of competition, where the schoolboy rankings begin to crystallise, and where top 10 contenders stamp their authority on the season.

This year brings fresh blood to the battlefield. The tournament has expanded its roster, welcoming a host of debutants eager to announce themselves on the national stage. For these newcomers, such as Wesvalia, Oos-Moot, and Kemptonpark it’s baptism by fire. For the established heavyweights, it’s a chance to lay down a marker.

Day one: Friday fires up

Friday 27 March serves up a mouthwatering triple-header that will set the tone for the entire tournament. The Rugby Factory will have all the fixtures, so keep your eyes peeled.

Jeppe square up against Boishaai in what promises to be a physical chess match. The Johannesburg outfit have already shown they can mix it with the elite, having recently snuffed out Garsfontein’s challenge. Boishaai, perennial contenders and one of the tournament favourites, will need to bring their A-game.

Garsfontein face Stellenberg in another heavyweight clash. Both teams boast the kind of attacking prowess that can rip defences to shreds. Expect points and plenty of them.

The pick of the day? Paul Roos taking on the mighty Monument. The men from Stellenbosch meet the Krugersdorp colossus in a battle that will test both sides’ mettle.

Day two: The forwards flex

Saturday’s marquee matchup sees Affies host Oakdale in what shapes as an absolute arm-wrestle. Both teams sport heavyweight forward packs that could shift mountains. Expect a bruising, bone-jarring encounter where the battle will be won and lost at the coalface.

“It is good to be back at home, after two weekends away. Obviously we’re still licking our wounds a little bit after the weekend’s match against Paul Roos. We are looking forward to the Oakdale match, for now that is our only focus, after that match we will look forward to Durbanville. The battle in front and set piece will be important, we know Oakdale have big pack. It is going to be a big physical battle,” said Ruan Jacobs, head of rugby at Affies.

Grey College, another tournament favourite, take on Helpmekaar. Both sides have enjoyed solid starts to their campaigns, and neither will want to surrender momentum. Grey College’s pedigree speaks for itself, but Helpmekaar have the quality to cause an upset if the Bloemfontein giants aren’t at their clinical best.

Monday madness and final day fireworks

Monday 30 March delivers more quality action as Garsfontein battle Boishaai in a clash that could shape the tournament pecking order. Both teams harbour genuine ambitions of finishing top of the pile.

Pretoria High School for Boys face Paul Roos in another intriguing north-south showdown. The Pretoria boys will relish the opportunity to push the Stellenbosch heavyweights to their absolute limit. Expect passion, pride and plenty of physicality.

The final day sees Grey College take on the dream team of Stellenberg, a fixture that could determine bragging rights for the southern contingent. Affies round out proceedings with a clash against Durbanville in what should be a fitting finale to four days of unrelenting action.

“We are looking forward to the tournament, I don’t think just from our (organisers) point of view but for the schools and the boys. Everybody is looking forward to this tour. We tried to give every school a good matchup. There are good games on the cards that everybody is looking forward to,” said Pieter Roussouw, who is part of the team of organisers for the event.

Favourites and dark horses

The usual suspects lead the betting. Paarl Gim, Boishaai, Affies, Garsfontein and Grey College enter as favourites, armed with squads brimming with talent and tournament pedigree.

But lurking in the shadows are several dangerous floaters who could upset the established order. Durbanville and Stellenberg have already sent shockwaves through the schoolboy rugby world with wins over Paarl Gimnasium and Boland Landbou respectively. These aren’t teams content to make up the numbers.

Jeppe’s recent triumph over Garsfontein proves they possess the firepower to topple giants. Nelspruit look resurgent and might cause a few headaches in their matches against Framesby and Bethlehem Voortrekker.

For teams like Noordheuwel, who were well beaten by Garsfontein, Boland Landbou and Bethlehem Voortrekker, the tournament provides an opportunity to reset, recalibrate and get back to winning ways.

Over four days at Affies, careers will be launched, legends will be born, and the 2026 schoolboy rugby landscape will begin to take definitive shape.