Schoolboy rugby fixtures: Noordvaal and Noordvaal Cup set for excitin…

Fans can look forward to top schoolboy rugby action again, after brawls marred what should have been a weekend dominated by talk of the historic derby fixture in Paarl (won by Gim).

That was Paarl Boys’ last match of the year.

A few top schools, such as Monument, Garsfontein (on an eight-game winning streak) and Noordheuwel play their last Noordvaal Cup fixtures of the season – and Affies do so in the regular Noordvaal tournament – while others play their final matches next weekend. cricket-ipl.co.za

In the Western Cape, season standouts Stellenberg, will play their last fixture at home against Milnerton.

Other Cape giants Boland Landbou and Oakdale play their last games against each other on Saturday.

These games will be crucial in determining the final schoolboy rugby rankings for the season, after next weekend.

OPINION: No excuse for violence at school rugby, soccer games

Selected fixtures

Western Cape

Boland Landbou v Oakdale

Brackenfell v Hugenote

Hermanus v Strand

Tygerberg v Melkbosstrand

Stellenberg v Milnerton

DF Akademie v HTS Belville

KwaZulu-Natal

Maritzburg College v Glenwood

Eastern Cape

Brandwag (EP) v Nico Malan

Queen’s v Graeme

Selborne v Dale

Marlow v Bergsig

Grey HS v Muir

Cambridge v Hudson Park

Free State – Griquas

Sentraal v Framesby

Grey College v Outeniqua

Grey College v Fichardtpark

Duineveld v Upington

Noordvaal Cup

Monument v Waterkloof

Garsfontein v EG Jansen

Rustenburg v Menlopark

Noordheuwel v Middelburg

Montana v Zwartkop

Nelspruit v HTS Middelburg

Oos-Moot v Klerksdorp

Kempton Park v Wesvalia

Noordvaal

KES v Durban HS

Pretoria Boys High v Affies

Jeppe v Parktown

Du’Plessis Kirifi opens up on his “rollercoaster” All Blacks omission, and a shock switch that’s landed the loose forward out of position this weekend.

He was overlooked by New Zealand coach Dave Rennie for the Nations Championship in July and the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour, which kicks off between the Stormers and All Blacks in Cape Town on Friday.

Wellington have since named the eight-cap Kirifi at inside centre for their clash with Auckland.

ALSO: All Blacks hear Umaga’s voice in ‘gnarly’ times

Speaking to RugbyPass, Kirifi, who led the Hurricanes to a Super Rugby Pacific title in June and has captained Wellington to two NPC crowns, said the omission came down to selection preference rather than a drop in form.

“The last month and a bit have been a fair rollercoaster to say the least, but it’s just the reality,” he said. “That’s not to say that I couldn’t but I clearly don’t fit in Rens’ picture at the moment and that’s fine.

“That’s the life we chose as professional athletes … you are going to be favoured by some coaches and you’re not going to be favoured by others. That’s part of what we do. It’s the reality. Just learn to accept that and move on.”

PLUS: All Blacks wind up a few curveballs for Rassie

Coach Trent Renata first floated the idea of using Kirifi in midfield, with Wellington hit by injuries and short of options after last week’s loss to Hawke’s Bay.

It marks the first time at professional level the 29-year-old’s worn a number other than seven, and Kirifi was quick to play down any wider versatility angle.

“It was a last resort really. I by no means put my hand up for the job,” he said. “It’s very new. There’s by no means been any prep gone into this, apart from this week.

“It has nothing to do with wanting to be versatile. It’s just the reality of our situation at the moment. I’d be pretty gutted if I overnight became a better 12 than I am a seven.”

FULL STORY

Phot0: Joe Allison/Getty Images

The post All Blacks outcast: I don’t fit in Rens’ picture appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Real Madrid on Thursday announced a new six-year deal for star forward Vinicius Junior and the signing of teenage sensation Yan Diomande in a major boost to their quest to end a two-year trophy drought.

The decision by Brazil hero Vinicius to extend his contract quells speculation linking him to Arsenal and is a win for Real as they rebuild their squad in Jose Mourinho’s second spell in charge.

“Real Madrid FC and Vinicius Jr have agreed the extension of the contract of our player, who is tied to the club until June 30, 2032,” Los Blancos said in a statement.

The 26-year-old had one year left on his previous deal and media reports said Arsenal had made him a transfer target while his future at Real seemed uncertain.

Vinicius has become a core member of Real Madrid’s squad since arriving eight years ago aged 18 and has made decisive contributions to the club’s success in that time.

He has scored 128 goals in 375 games and lifted multiple trophies, including two Champions League titles and three La Liga crowns.

But the Spanish giants have fallen on fallow times in the past two seasons, picking up no major trophies while eternal rivals Barcelona secured back-to-back La Liga titles.

Vinicius, French superstar Kylian Mbappe, England midfielder Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo are set to be accompanied by Diomande in a bolstered Real attack next season.

The club unveiled the signing of the 19-year-old Ivory Coast winger from Leipzig for what Spanish media reported was a club-record fee of 140 million euros ($161 million) including bonuses.

Los Blancos said in a statement that the deal with the Bundesliga side would keep Diomande in the Spanish capital “for the next seven seasons, until June 30, 2033”.

– ‘Dream come true’ –

“Moving to Real Madrid is a childhood dream come true for me,” Diomande was quoted as saying in a Leipzig statement.

The young star said he was “incredibly grateful” to the German club, which “placed their trust in me and gave me the opportunity to prove myself at the highest level”.

Madrid, who did not disclose the transfer fee, beat Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool to the signing of Diomande, who played at the World Cup with his country.

PSG pulled out of the running because of concerns over the size of the transfer fee, while Liverpool reportedly had a bid rejected in June.

Diomande spent one season in the German top flight with Leipzig following a switch from Spanish side Leganes in 2025.

He was the Bundesliga young player of the season, netting 12 goals and laying on eight assists.

Diomande is Madrid’s sixth signing this summer, following Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries and Carlos Espi.

Los Blancos have also been linked with a move for Manchester City and Spain midfield talisman Rodri.

But a Barcelona source told AFP on Thursday that Rodri had authorised the Catalan giants to begin talks with City about a potential transfer, although no move was guaranteed.