RUGBY

AFRIKAANS

2026 COACHES

Ian van Heerden
ORGANISER
ivanheerden@
hsmerensky.co.za

Ian van Heerden
COACH
U14, 2nd &
1st Team

Divan Potgieter
COACH
U14 & 1st Team

Christian Liebenberg
COACH
U14, 2nd &
1st Team

Magnus Steyn Jnr
COACH
U14 & 1st Team

Steven Steyn
COACH
U15

Francois Bothma
COACH
U15

Willie van Zyl
COACH
U15

Enrich Steenkamp
COACH
U15

Arno Last
COACH
U16

Jan Potgieter
COACH
U16

Vicky Esterhuizen
COACH
U16

Heinrich von Staden
COACH
U16

Riaan van Rhyn
COACH
3rd Team

Adriaan Joubert
COACH
3rd Team

2026 (PROVISIONAL) DATES

DATE

ACTIVITY & TEAMS INVOLVED

TIME & PLACE

24 January 2026

U14, U15 & U16 Trials

07:30 - 14:00
Merensky B Field

26 January - 5 March 2026

Pre-season preparation
All teams

16:00 - 17:30
Seniors: Merensky B Field
Juniors: Merensky C Field

6 March 2026

Jersey handover function
U14A & 1st

16:00 - 20:00
Venue to be announced

9 March - 20 March 2026

Preparation for friendly matches

U15 group: Merensky B Field (14:30 - 16:00)
U14 group: Merensky C Field (14:30 - 16:00)
1st & 2nd: Merensky A Field (16:00 - 17:30)
U16 group: Merensky B Field (16:00 - 17:30)
3rd: Merensky C Field (16:00 - 17:30)

21 March 2026

Friendlies vs HTS Tom Naudé
All teams

Polokwane

28 March - 1 April 2026

Mauritz Hansen Rugby Week
U14A, U15A, U16A, 3rd, 2nd & 1st

Naboomspruit

11 April 2026

Friendlies vs HS Secunda
All teams

Merensky

14 April 2026

Limpopo 1st round trials
U15, U17, U18

Polokwane

17 April 2026

Practice camp
All teams

14:00 - 17:00

18 April 2026

Practice camp + Father & son braai
All teams

Practice camp: 08:00 - 12:00
Father & son braai: 13:00 - 20:00

21 April 2026

Limpopo 2nd round trials

Polokwane

24 April 2026

Long weekend

2 May 2026

Friendlies vs HS Randburg / Wonderboom
All teams

Pretoria

5 May 2026

Limpopo provincial practice

Polokwane

9 May 2026

League vs HS Ermelo
All teams

Ermelo

12 May 2026

Limpopo provincial practice

Polokwane

16 May 2026

League vs HS Hugenote
All teams

Merensky

19 May 2026

Limpopo provincial practice

Polokwane

23 May 2026

League vs HS Dinamika

Alberton

26 May 2026

Limpopo provincial practice

Polokwane

30 May 2026

League vs HS Brandwag
All teams

Merensky

2 June 2026

Limpopo provincial practice

Polokwane

6 June 2026

League vs HS Die Anker

Merensky

13 June 2026

SDC Noordvaal League (cross games)

Venue will be announced

26 June - 20 July 2026

School holidays with provincial weeks

Venues will be announced

25 July 2026

SDC Noorvaal-liga (cross games)

Venue will be announced

1 August 2026

SDC Noorvaal League Quarter-finals

Venue will be announced

8 August 2026

SDC Noorvaal League Semi-finals

Venue will be announced

15 August 2026

SDC Noorvaal League Finals

Venue will be announced

20 August 2026

Plasie Clashes Match 1

Merensky

27 August 2026

Plasie Clashes Match 2

Merensky

28 August 2026

Year-end function

Merensky

29 August 2026

7s Rugby

Venue will be announced

4 - 5 September 2026

7s Rugby

Venue will be announced

11 - 12 September 2026

7s Rugby

Venue will be announced

18 - 19 September 2026

7s Rugby Noordvaal Champs

Venue will be announced

6 October -
30 November 2026

Off-season programme
All ages

Merensky

6 November 2026

Letaba Rugbyklub Rugby Day
Senior final round trials for 2027

Tzaneen

PLASIE CLASHES RUGBY SERIES (FROM 2025)

1. Background

The Plasie Premiere League (PPL) was initiated during the COVID period, when formal rugby matches could not take place. The aim was to give all senior boys the opportunity to remain active, build spirit, and create a sense of unity on the field.

With the return to a full rugby programme at Merensky Agricultural Academy, the rugby coaches decided to replace the PPL with a new format: the Plasie Clashes.

2. Purpose of the Plasie Clashes

The Plasie Clashes is a structured series of practice matches with the following objectives:

To identify and develop senior players in different positions.
To support an off-season programme that improves players’ skills and fitness.
To strengthen Merensky’s rugby tradition and assemble quality teams for the 2026 season.

3. Format of the series

The series consists of four matches over a two-week period.
Each match consists of two halves of 20 minutes each.
Teams are selected by the coaches based on players available to play rugby in 2026.

4. Participation

Only registered senior rugby players of Merensky Agricultural Academy may take part in the Plasie Clashes.
Unlike the previous PPL, participation is no longer open to all boys of the school.

5. Safety and Boksmart requirements

The main reason for the new policy is safety.

Rugby is a contact sport, and to prevent injuries, only players with appropriate experience, conditioning and knowledge are allowed to play.
All matches and practices are conducted according to Boksmart safety requirements.
Coaches will ensure that players are placed in positions suited to their skills and physical abilities.

6. Conclusion

The Plasie Clashes represent a new era for Merensky Rugby. This series balances spirit-building with safety and player development, and serves as strategic preparation for the 2026 rugby season.

PLASIE CLASHES RUGBY SERIES POLICY

2025 RESULTS

MERENSKY VS NYLSTROOM
8 March 2025
Friendlies, Home

U14A - MLA 58 vs NYL 7
U14B - MLA 37 vs NYL 0
U15A - MLA 38 vs NYL 0
U15B - MLA 34 vs NYL 5
U16A - MLA 59 vs NYL 3
U16B - MLA 63 vs NYL 0
3rd - MLA 50 vs NYL 0
2nd - MLA 62 vs NYL 0
1st - MLA 59 vs NYL 7

MERENSKY VS SECUNDA
15 March 2025
Friendlies, Away

U14A - MLA 0 vs SEC 29
U14B - MLA 0 vs SEC 39
U15A - MLA 17 vs SEC 34
U15B - MLA 12 vs SEC 17
U16A - MLA 21 vs SEC 29
U16B - MLA 26 vs SEC 12
3rd - MLA 17 vs SEC 7
2nd - MLA 14 vs SEC 35
1st - MLA 12 vs SEC 31

MERENSKY VS HTS TOM NAUDÉ
19 March 2025
Friendlies, Home

U14A - MLA 40 vs TN 0
U14B - MLA 12 vs TN 12
U15A - MLA 19 vs TN 8
U15B - MLA 19 vs TN 38
U16A - MLA 42 vs TN 0
U16B - MLA 17 vs TN 33
3rd - MLA 29 vs TN 14
2nd - MLA 29 vs TN 12
1st - MLA 20 vs TN 24

OAKDALE U19 RUGBY WEEK (29 MARCH - 2 APRIL 2025)

SATURDAY, 29 MARCH 2025
__________________________

MLA vs Hoër Volkskool Graaff-Reinet
Won 31-19
Man of the match:
Otto Muller

MONDAY, 31 MARCH 2025
__________________________

MLA vs Oakdale XV
Lost 14-39
Man of the match:
Craig Walker

WEDNESDAY, 2 APRIL 2025
__________________________

MLA vs Hugenote Wellington
Lost 17-19
Man of the match:
Jan Pretorius

MAURITZ HANSEN RUGBY WEEK (1 - 5 APRIL 2025)

TUESDAY, 1 APRIL 2025
_______________________

MLA XV vs Kempton Park 2 (B Field)
Lost 14-24
--------------------------------------------------------------
MLA 16A vs Marais Viljoen 16A (B Field)
Lost 12-15
--------------------------------------------------------------
MLA 14A vs Klerksdorp 14A (Euphorbia)
Lost 23-29
--------------------------------------------------------------
MLA 15A vs Oosterlig 15A (C Field)
Won 47-19

THURSDAY, 3 APRIL 2025
_______________________

MLA XV vs Klerksdorp 2
Lost 3-19
--------------------------------------------------------------
MLA o14A vs Hugenote o14A
Won 18-0
--------------------------------------------------------------
MLA o16a vs Eldoraigne o16A
Lost 10-16
--------------------------------------------------------------
MLA o15A vs Brandwag o15A
Lost 0-24

SATURDAY, 5 APRIL 2025
_______________________

MLA XV vs Hans Strijdom 2
Won 26-24
--------------------------------------------------------------
MLA 16A vs Frikkie Meyer 16A
Won 12-0
--------------------------------------------------------------
MLA 14A vs Wagpos 14A
Lost 3-10
--------------------------------------------------------------
MLA 15A vs HTS Middelburg 15A
Won 19-7

MERENSKY VS BERGSIG AKADEMIE
17 May 2025
League, Away

U14A - MLA 0 vs BSA 5
U14B - MLA 34 vs BSA 10
U15A - MLA 21 vs BSA 28
U15B - MLA 15 vs BSA 15
U16A - MLA 26 vs BSA 6
U16B - MLA 19 vs BSA 13
3rd - MLA 42 vs BSA 0
2nd - MLA 24 vs BSA 33
1st - MLA 17 vs BSA 18

MERENSKY VS HS DINAMIKA
24 May 2025
League, Home

U14A - MLA 34 vs DIN 5
U14B - MLA 10 vs DIN 21
U15A - MLA 15 vs DIN 33
U15B - MLA 0 vs DIN 21
U16A - MLA 29 vs DIN 5
U16B - MLA 50 vs DIN 0
3rd - MLA 31 vs DIN 5
2nd - MLA 7 vs DIN 8
1st - MLA 28 vs DIN 26

MERENSKY VS POTCH VOLKSKOOL
31 May 2025
League, Home

U14A - MLA 19 vs HVP 15
U14B - MLA 59 vs HVP 7
U15A - MLA 12 vs HVP 18
U15B - MLA 5 vs HVP 10
U16A - MLA 27 vs HVP 23
U16B - MLA 24 vs HVP 11
3rd - MLA 41 vs HVP 3
2nd - MLA 7 vs HVP 16
1st - MLA 28 vs HVP 19

MERENSKY VS POTCH GIMNASIUM
7 June 2025
League, away

U14A - MLA 13 vs GIM 24
U14B - MLA 24 vs GIM 14
U15A - MLA 17 vs GIM 30
U15B - MLA 0 vs GIM 39
U16A - MLA 50 vs GIM 10
U16B - MLA 41 vs GIM 7
3rd - MLA 17 vs GIM 5
2nd - MLA 13 vs GIM 26
1st - MLA 41 vs GIM 41

MERENSKY VS HS RANDBURG
26 July 2025
League, Away

U14A - MLA 13 vs RHS 6
U14B - MLA 0 vs RHS 31
U15A - MLA 22 vs RHS 40
U15B - MLA 15 vs RHS 5
U16A - MLA 40 vs RHS 8
U16B - MLA 5 vs RHS 11
3rd - MLA 34 vs RHS 0
2nd - MLA 10 vs RHS 38
1st - MLA 29 vs RHS 29

MERENSKY VS HS ERMELO
2 August 2025
League, Home

U14A - MLA 7 vs EHS 8
U14B - MLA 10 vs EHS 33
U15A - MLA 12 vs EHS 24
U15B - MLA 14 vs EHS 14
U16A - MLA 66 vs EHS 5
U16B - MLA 24 vs EHS 13
3rd - MLA 18 vs EHS 7
2nd - MLA 34 vs EHS 13
1st - MLA 57 vs EHS 8

MERENSKY VS HS JEUGLAND
9 August 2025
League, Away

U14A - MLA 6 vs JHS 10
U14B - MLA 20 vs JHS 19
U15A - MLA 24 vs JHS 21
U15B - MLA 7 vs JHS 28
U16A - MLA 72 vs JHS 7
U16B - MLA 34 vs JHS 12
3rd - MLA 12 vs JHS 0
2nd - MLA 12 vs JHS 31
1st - MLA 27 vs JHS 39

MERENSKY VS HS ELDORAIGNE
16 Augustus 2025
League, Home

U14A - MLA 14 vs EHS 0
U14B - MLA 57 vs EHS 0
U15A - MLA 0 vs EHS 31
U15B - MLA 12 vs EHS 20
U16A - MLA 29 vs EHS 7
U16B - MLA 21 vs EHS 21
3rd - MLA 45 vs EHS 17
2nd - MLA 19 vs EHS 20
1st - MLA 8 vs EHS 36