Only two rounds into this year’s Western Province Super League A campaign and already the contenders have been separated from the pretenders.
Let’s start at the top - by die name lekkers.
Coach Isma-eel Dollie’s UniMil have already proven last season that they are a team to be reckoned with.
And their demolition of Hamiltons in the first round confirmed just that.
Last weekend they also ran in a total of seven tries - two of them belonging to captain Zander Kuys - to klap league newcomers Paarl 46-29.
Facing UniMil will be tough this year and you can expect them to be in the playoffs at the end of the season.
At Florida Park in Ravensmead, meanwhile, it looks like Tygerberg, led by inspirational lock Marvin Fransman, will challenge for a top four spot this year.
TUSSLE: Tiere’s Lorenco Benjamin. Photo: SUPPLIED
With former Hamiltons boss Anton Moolman taking over the reins from Ricky Petersen, whose new team CPUT won the Varsity Shield, the Tiere have not lost any of their rhythm and in fact look like a team that means business this year.
They proved as much by comfortably beating Villager 38-7 at Florida Park over the weekend.
But while UniMil and Tygerberg are expected to challenge big dogs Maties, False Bay and Durbell, it looks like Hamiltons are in for a tough year.
After their first match to UniMil, Hammies also played to a 33-all draw at home to UWC in their second match.
While uDubs are now a Varsity Cup outfit, they struggled in this tournament and while it’s still early days for them, Hamiltons were expected to cross this hurdle.
Instead, they look like a team that would do well to finish mid-table this year.
Already at the foot of the log is Primrose after two defeats in as many matches.
And while there are a number of teams that have not yet booked a win this year, the points margins against them simply aren’t as big as that of Primrose, who have already leaked 110 points.
Parow NTK are expected to fight relegation again this season, while Paarl might just prove to be the surprise package.
Yes, they have lost both their opening matches, but the men from Paarl gave a good account of themselves in both outings.
And with the likes of Godlen Masimla and Freddie Muller in their ranks, they are sure to cause a few upsets this year.
It’s Easter weekend, meaning there won’t be any league action on Saturday.
Defending champions, Maties, though will play in their first match of the season next Wednesday in the derby of derbies when they face their struggling second-stringers Victorians. Enjoy the long weekend and stay safe.