It's the sixth time that the Free State and South African sporting factory will be hosting the event, and if the draw is anything to go by, it promises to be one of the best years of the tournament.

Ironically, the first name out of the hat during the draw was that of the hosts, and they will be playing in Pool A.

A total of five Bloemfontein schools are among the twenty schools competing. The draw has seen each of the five-team pools get a local school, however, the Pool A will see a derby. The very last school drawn in that pool, was that of HTS Louis Botha, and judging by the reaction, it seems like there is a score to be settled in the derby.

Furthermore, Pool A also features the Gauteng-trio of Benoni, Jeppe and Parktown. Benoni, in particular, will be another tough nut to crack, with the school renowned for producing Bafana Bafana players.

The previous finalist, Brebner High School, headlines Pool B and it is expected that they won't meet too much resistance and should advance to the knockouts.

Tsotsoletso Secondary School will have to bring their A-game if they want to stand the slightest of chances in reaching the next round. St Davids, Victoria Park and Northwood all stand in their way, however, they face arguably one of the toughest and most physical schools in South African schools soccer in the form of Norkem Park.

Pool D will be a very interesting one indeed with two schools (as is the case with the hosts, Grey) more renowned for their rugby. King Edward VII School and Wynberg Boys' High will lock horns with Robinvale, George Campbell and Navalsig of Bloemfontein.

Interestingly, the current Springbok hooker, Malcolm Marx, played in the tournament for KES as big and physical centre-back, and during the tournament actually played against Grey as well.

Looking at the teams competing it's a no-brainer that good, attractive football will be played and wouldn't Grey versus Norkem Park be a dream final?

The tournament director, Ludwig Koekemoer, agreed with OFM Sport and added that Grey owes Norkem Park.

"It would be a fantastic final. We have a rich tradition of playing them in finals or semi-finals. They've been getting the better of us lately, although we drew to them the last time we met.

"They've just come back from a fantastic tournament overseas, which they won, and they've also recently won the St Peter's Festival."

Pool A - Grey College, Jeppe High, Benoni High, Parktown Boys' High, HTS Louis Botha.

Pool B - Westville Boys' High, Brebner High, Sports Academy George, Strelitzia High, Morningside High.

Pool C - Norkem Park High, Northwood High, St Davids, Tsoselteso Secondary, Victoria Park High.

Pool D - Wynberg Boys' High, King Edward VII School, Robinvale High, George Campbell High, Navalsig High.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport