Farmers’ Derby delivers drama, Affies sail on easily and Upington cling on… Just
The KP Derby Series returns to screens with three fascinating affairs in the midst of country-wide byes
Estiaan Marx dominated the afternoon affair in Pretoria, scoring twice as Affies records back-to-back KP Derby victories.
While a large portion of schools enjoyed a weekend off from rugby action, others barreled on with the King Price Derby Series hosting three separate derby-days. With Affies returning for back-to-back KP derbies, this time against fellow capital dwellers Pretoria Boys’ High, a highly anticipated ‘Landbou’ derby and KP debutants Upington High and Hoerskool Duineveld battling it out.
Beginning in the province of Gauteng, Pretoria-outfit Affies were keen to keep their high standards as they hosted Pretoria Boys’. Affies, fresh after a well orchestrated 64-19 victory over Waterkloof, had ended last week once more in the country’s top 3. A tremendous season for the ‘Wit Bulle’ which has seen them only lose once in their last eight (a narrow 31-27 loss to Grey College). Boys’ High on the other hand, were sitting just inside the top 40 in the country. Losses to Jeppe and KES in their last four not helping things. So as the Affies XV entered onto the field in front of a jubilant home crowd, there were no qualms as to who was headed for victory. Having said this, it was the away side who struck first through a Marnus Wessels try. Giving Pretoria their one and only lead, as Affies answered with an onslaught of 7 straight tries. Four came in the first half courtesy of Luan Potgieter, Bauke Swart and an Estiaan Marx double. Pretoria Boys’ fought on in the second 35’, however were just matched at every turn by a top side in Affies. Three more try-times for the ‘Wit Bulle’ before Wessels crashed over for his and Pretoria’s second of the game late on. Giving the traveling support some consolation as things ended 41-12 in favour of Affies.
Moving into the Western Cape, fans were gearing up for a second massive derby-day. Last week seeing the city of Paarl divided, this week seeing Boland and Oakdale lock horns in the Farmers’ Derby. With Boland Landbou playing hosts, the side were coming
off a disappointing loss at the hands of Stellenberg a week prior. Looking to avenge the result, they would have to make do without their poster-boy in Jayden Brits. The scrumhalf being used in the SA u18 side who played an International Series over the weekend. On the other side of the coin, Oakdale were fresh from a dazzling victory over Paul Roos. A 21-17 victory adding to what has become a successful season for the
outfit. One of the strongest teams in the country in terms of set pieces, Oakdale would also be without stars Kai Pratt, Jacobus de Villiers and Diaan Augustyn. The former duo joined Brits for the u18 side while Augustyn represented the u18 ‘A’ side. Despite these four not in the starting XVs, the game still delivered all the drama expected. On the ‘Die Eike’, the match would give fans watching a back-and-forth affair. It was the away side who had the better showing early on, with two tries leading to a 12-0 lead in favour of Oakdale. All before the clock hit 15’. However, steady pressure over the next half an hour or so of action saw Boland hit back. Striking twice before the break and once more soon after to see them claw back the game. Now sitting at a score of 17-12 to Boland. But just as Boland had responded, Oakdale did just that. CT Vosloo converted a penalty on the 45 minute mark before Sine Mdlankomo dotted down an extra five for the travelers. Swinging the pendulum once more, as the scoreboard read in favour of Oakdale: 20-17. In an instant it seemed, the game changed once more. Two converted tries via the boot of Pieter Bergh within three minutes saw Boland Landbou take back the lead. In what seemed the most commanding lead of the afternoon, the home support began to relax slightly as time dwindled down. Another Vosloo contribution to the afternoon would see nerves return for the hosts, as the Oakdale flyhalf scored a try of his own. With five minutes left, Oakdale pushed on in attempts to create back-to-back favorable results after their win against Roos, however a final Pieter Bergh penalty sealed it for Boland. At home, in front of thousands of support, they came through with a 34-27 victory. A well deserved victory against a slightly handicapped Oakdale in 2025’s Farmers’ Derby.
The final feature derby saw both Upington High and Duineveld make their debuts in the coveted KP campaign. With neither featuring in the top 60 school sides once this year (Upington flirting in the 60s throughout 2025 while Duineveld had found home just outside the top 80). Nevertheless, the occasion served as a wonderful event for country-wide coverage for both outfits. A chance to appear on national TV for the XVs and city bragging rights, the third KP derby-day was set with huge implications. In the end, it was the home side’s opening 35’ which would seal the day for Hoerskool Upington. Tries from Matthew van Wyk and Jade Coetzee saw Upington take a 12-0 lead into the break. Despite two yellow cards on the day for Upington, Duineveld just couldn’t capitalize enough. A strong reply from the away team nonetheless, with Dohan Dege trying to light up a cagey second period. In the end, things would end with Upington taking the game 12 points to ten. A low scoring afternoon as both sides jostled it out in front of the nation’s cameras, Upington just about clinging on.
In action away from the KP spotlight; Graeme College snatched a tight match against Queens’ (20-17), Jeppe traveled to take a 22-13 victory over Parktown, Stellenberg lost out to Milnerton 14-12 and DHS cruised past KES 52-19.
