Coach Sylvester Booysen has revealed the reasons for Garsfontein’s giant-killing schools rugby success this season.
After opening their campaign with a 29-26 defeat to Jeppe, the Pretoria side beat Stellenberg 21-20 and Paarl Boys’ High 31-28 at the North-South Tournament before edging rivals Affies 38-34 in a thriller last weekend.
Booysen believes continuity has been key.
“I think what has helped us this season is that we kept some of our players from last year,” he told Rugby365.
“We had a couple of Grade 11s on our side last year, so the style of play we implemented has just filtered through the players.
“There hasn’t been a total overhaul; we haven’t changed much, but the players have just bought into the system.”
But more than tactics, Booysen points to mindset.
“For us, it’s all about belief, hard work and a never-say attitude,” he said.
That resilience was on full display against Stellenberg, where Garsfontein scored a converted try in the last play of the game to snatch victory.
Superb win that for Garsfontein over Stellenberg. Try at the death (scored wing Neil de Kock) and match winning conversion (flyhalf Ruan Fluks). Fantastic all round! pic.twitter.com/HZXsNDGiFn
— Adrian Slabbert (@adrian_slabbert) March 27, 2026
“If any team was behind against Stellenberg in that game, they probably would’ve accepted defeat, but we knew we could come back,” said Booysen.
“Against Affies, the late tackle by Dian van Aswegen says it all. That’s not something you can coach; it’s belief and playing for the team and community.”
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Garsfontein’s next challenge comes at the Wildeklawer Tournament in Kimberley, where they face Paul Roos on Friday (7pm) and Northwood on Monday (2pm).
The post Garsies riding wave of belief appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Coach Sylvester Booysen has revealed the reasons for Garsfontein’s giant-killing schools rugby success this season.
The post Garsies riding wave of belief appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
