Super League A newcomers Paarl get a good idea of how tough it will be in the top flight when they host Brackenfell in their season opener on Saturday.
Having won the Super League B competition last season, Paarl will be hoping to do a Brackenfell and prove that they can hang with the big boys this season.
Ever since their promotion from Super League B a few seasons back, Brackenfell has become an established top-flight club.
With so many other teams not cutting the mustard at the top and so often getting relegated again, a lot is expected of Paarl.
They will, however, enter the season minus one of their big stars Wilfred Bowers, who won the club’s Backline Player of the Year in 2018.
POINT TO PROVE: Ikeys have been knocked out of Varsity Cup. Photo: Kevin Sawyer.
Bowers left for Romania this week where he will play for CM Gloria Buzau.
Still, they should have enough firepower to give the Brakke a run for their money this weekend.
The other promoted team, Primrose, also kick off their campaign at home on Saturday when they host UCT.
Having lost to Paarl in the final of the Super League B tournament last season, Primrose – not an unknown team to the top flight – will be out to put on a show.
Ikeys, meanwhile, have missed out on a place in the semifinals of the Varsity Cup and will be hungry to set the record straight in the domestic campaign.
The match of the round takes place at Milnerton, though.
It’s here where UniMil will host Hamiltons.
The surprise package in recent seasons, UniMil will be out to stamp their authority on the big guns from the word go.
Hammies, meanwhile, have not been at their best last season and will look to mount a serious challenge for Maties’ title once again.
MOUNTAIN TO CLIMB: Primrose are back in Super League A. Photo: Supplied.
One team that has been consistent title challengers over the past few seasons are False Bay.
A strong unit, they travel to SK Walmers this weekend.
The Bay are expected to get the better of their hosts in the opening round.
Die gaan ook ruk at Florida Park where Tygerberg will host Maties’ second-stringers Vics in their first match of the year.
With the Stellenbosch first-teamers still involved in Varsity Cup action, the Vics boys will be out to make a statement against the Tiere.
The only other match in this league on the weekend sees Villager host Parow NTK.
Saturday’s SLA fixtures:
Primrose v UCT
SK Walmers v False Bay
UniMil v Hamiltons
Paarl v Brackenfell
Tygerberg v Victorians
Villager v NTK
*All matches start at 4pm