The King Price Derby Series clash between St Stithians College and Parktown Boys’ High at 14:00 on the Baytopp Field at Saintsis a significant one.
Not only is it one of the oldest traditional boys’ school derbies in Johannesburg – it has been played since the 1960s – but it is also a clash between two rugby schools that have fallen from their former glory years, yet have kept their programmes going.
There will be 16 rugby games between the schools on Saturday, which is very encouraging.
There will be no shortage of passion in the first team clash. Games between the two schools have always been closely contested. Historically, the record is quite even. Parktown won the 2025 clash 24-14, so Saints would like to set that straight.
They won the 2024 game 25-15, while the 2023 meeting, which officially marked Parktown’s Centenary, was won 13-3 by Parktown.
On recent form, St Stithians goes into the game as the slight favourite. They come off two wins in their most recent games – 38-8 over St Alban’s and 21-12 over King David Linksfield.
Parktown, on the other hand, lost its last two matches. They were beaten 24-8 by King Edward VII (KES) a fortnight ago, and last weekend they went down 21-24 to St David’s Marist Inanda.
They gave a good account of themselves at KES, however, and, by all accounts, were unlucky to lose to St David’s.
Results do not always go according to form in derby games like these, however, and a meeting of close neighbours, in front of a big crowd, can generally go any way.
TEAMS
St Stithians College: 15 Tinodashe Mambure,14 Oliver Lang, 13 Omphile Maphira, 12 Sicelo Sakawuli, 11 Calvin Wagner, 10 Matthew Anderson, 9 Cameron Blignaut, 8 Kenneth Thring, 7 Blake Morton, 6 Jonathan Steyn, 5 Adam Stoutjesdyk, 4 Matthew Nash, 3 Anikwa Sikiti, 2 Kabelo Tlou, 1 Noah Tomkinson.
Daar is Saterdag in Potchefstroom so bietjie meer as gewoonlik op die spel wanneer Potchefstroom Volkskool en Potchefstroom Gimnasium mekaar in die Virseker Noordvaal Cup se Bowl-afdeling pak.
Die kragmeting is natuurlik ook ‘n FNB Classic Clash.
Die twee aartsvyande se laaste ontmoeting was in verlede jaar se eindstryd van die Bowl-afdeling. Die Volkies wat gasheer vir die naweek se wedstryd is, het toe met 22-17 as kampioene van die veld gestap.
Die Gimmies het vroeër in 2025 in die liga-wedstryd met 21-12 die septer geswaai. Een ding is seker en dit is dat ondersteuners weer Saterdag ‘n titaniese tweestryd tussen dié skole kan verwag.
Albei spanne is in die derde ronde van die Wes-been van die Bowl-afdeling steeds op soek na hul eerste sege. Die Gimmies het teen Bergsig Akademie (31-36) en Centurion (15-47) die afgelope twee weke vasgeval.
Volkies het in sy twee Bowl-wedstryde tot dusver teen Midstream College (17-23) en Jeugland (24-27) die knie gebuig. Die Gimmies het ook al vanjaar teen Midstream College te staan gekom en met 22-15 gewen. Dit is een van slegs twee seges wat hy vanjaar op die rugbyveld kon behaal.
Jeugland sal op sy tuisveld op sy onlangse spelpeil wil voortbou wanneer hy om 12:30 teen Midstream College uitdraf.
Die tuisspan se binnesenter, Innocent Vilakazi, sal op sy stukke moet wees indien hul vir Midstream wil omdop. Die span vanuit Midrand is nog onoorwonne in vanjaar se reeks na hy vir Potch Volkies (23-17) en Bergsig Akademie (36-22) geklop het.
Die besoekers se heelagter, Ryan Strauss, is ‘n sleutelspeler indien sy span uit Kempton Park met ‘n sege wil verlaat.
Die spanne is:
Potchefstroom Volkskool t. Potchefstroom Gimnasium om 14:00 in Potchefstroom:
Potchefstroom Volkskool: 15 Carlo van der Merwe, 14 Handro Jacobs, 13 Lethabo Riet, 12 River Samual, 11 Christiaan Gouws, 10 Kyle Hattingh, 9 Raynard de Klerk, 8 Johannes Lombard, 7 AJ du Plessis, 6 Wian Victor, 5 Jannie de Wet, 4 Nolan Roets, 3 Michael Rochat, 2 Peet Fourie, 1 Albert Odendaal.
Potchefstroom Gimnasium: 15 Josh Pretoruis, 14 MJ Potgieter, 13 Durand du Plooy, 12 Daniel Marais, 11 Rea Moalosi, 10 Zandré da Silva, 9 Brendon Kellerma, 8 De Wet Grobler (kaptein), 7 Damien Zwahlen, 6 Zach de Jager, 5 Phillip Botha, 4 Ignu du Toit, 3 Nic Dreyer, 2 Meyer van der Wath, 1 Rynel Rautenbach.
Jeugland t. Midstream College om 12:30 in Kempton Park:
Midstream College: 15 Ryan Strauss, 14 Rikus Cilliers, 13 Wihan Piekaar, 12 Ruan Bester, 11 Ethan Mahlangu, 10 Dian de Villiers, 9 Paul Loubser, 8 Henke Griffioen, 7 Frikkie Rall, 6 Reuben Blom, 5 Martin van Rooyen, 4 Tristan van Heerden, 3 Robin Stassen, 2 Tehan Maré, 1 Ernst Britz.
Hoërskool Centurion t. Bergsig Akademie om 12:30 in Centurion:
Centurion (moontlik): 15 Morne Prinsloo, 14 Matthew Austin, 13 Dylan Schoeman, 12 Luhardt Blom, 11 Amahle Kilani, 10 Bernick Fourie, 9 Stefan Vorster, 8 Darius Durie, 7 CJ Niemandt, 6 Malan le Roux, 5 Ulrich van Wyk, 4 Ruben Pretorius, 3 Coenraad du Toit, 2 Robbie Herholdt, 1 Lincoln Hattingh.
Bergsig Akademie: 15 Heinrich Krugel, 14 Kopano Modise, 13 Othandwayo Ntshanga, 12 Carlo de Jager, 11 Daniel Addinall, 10 Dan Bogopane, 9 Connor Van Dalen, 8 Martin Pieterse, 7 Ryan Nagel, 6 Mark Uys, 5 Hendré Krüger, 4 Anton Maruis Grové, 3 Claud Robertson, 2 Keanu Kaljee, 1 Dean Grobler.
Witteberg het in die laaste twee derbies in 2025 (34-33) en 2024 (25-22) die septer geswaai. Die Trekkers sal vanjaar op hul tuisveld die bordjies behoorlik wil verhang.
Die tuisspan se laaste oorwinning oor Witteberg was in 2024 se halfeindronde van die Griffon-liga. Toe was die Trekkers behoorlik omgekrap na die nederlaag van 22-25 vroeër daardie jaar en het met 37-3 as oorwinnaars van die veld gestap.
Albei spanne het vanjaar drie verteenwoordigers in die Griffons se Cravenweek-span. Witteberg se Qlin Booyse (heelagter) en Divan Marais (flank) is die Perses wat Saterdag in aksie sal wees. Die span se vaskopstut, Cobus Labuschagne, sal ongelukkig die kragmeting misloop.
Die Trekkers se trio wat die Perses op die Cravenweek sal verteenwoordig is, Lourens Roux (slot), Sizwe Qwabe (buitesenter) en Wessel Hattingh (haker). Slegs Hattingh sal egter in Saterdag se wedstryd in aksie wees.
Die gasheer vir die spesiale kragmeting word deur Justin Taylor en Andries Kruger afgerig. Witteberg se span word deur Robert Bosch, Alwyn Shields and Francois Grobbelaar gebrei.
Die Trekkers beleef sover ‘n moeilike seisoen, maar het verlede week ‘n goeie sege van 40-21 oor Goudveld-Hoërskool behaal. Dié wedstryd was soos Saterdag se kragmeting ook deel van die Wesgrow-reeks asook die Griffon-liga.
Dit was slegs die derde oorwinning wat die Trekkers vanjaar op die rugbyveld behaal het. Hy het ook vir Louis Botha (27-0) en Dr. Malan van Meyerton (35-7) geklop.
Witteberg het ook nog nie vanjaar op alle silinders gevuur nie. Hy het in sy laaste twee Griffon-liga wedstryde teen onderskeidelik Hoërskool Trio (17-40) en Welkom Gimnasium (10-49) in die stof gebyt. Die span het wel ‘n oortuigende sege van 55-0 oor Goudveld vroeër behaal, wat hom die gunsteling vir Saterdag se kragmeting maak.
Visitors to Northwood’s Reece-Edwards Field know they’re in for a demanding challenge. It’s going to be physical, and the Knights will enjoy outstanding support from the sidelines. They’ll face the defence-to-offence transition that Deen spoke about. Only once in recent years has a team been able to use that philosophy to crippling effect against Northwood at Northwood
That happened in 2024, when Jeppe turned a seven-point halftime lead into a 40-8 romp. They struck numerous times from turnover ball, running in tries from long range, especially down the touchlines.
Two years on, the Knights will be aching to turn the tables on Jeppe in Durban, especially since the Kensington boys won 30-24 in Johannesburg last year, too. Both head into the clash with 50 percent win/loss records: Northwood is five and five, and Jeppe is six and six.
The Knights’ record thus far, though, stacks up well. It includes a win over DHS and a reversal of an early-season loss to Westville Boys’ High. In the loss column, they went down by three to Paarl Boys’ High, who recently won comfortably against high-flying Stellenberg, and by five to Garsfontein.
The loss to Garsies was, arguably, a big disappointment. The Knights had the Pretoria school down and almost out, but allowed them to come back from a 7-28 deficit to win. Interestingly, the manner in which Northwood built that 21-point lead reminded one of the way Jeppe played against them in that 40-8 win in 2024: turning over possession and counterattacking with venom.
Jeppe started their season with a win over Garsfontein. Ever since then, Garsfontein has been a different animal, adding wins over Paarl Boys’ High and Affies to their win over Stellenberg. More recently, Jeppe has lost three in a row against top-notch opposition, going down to Grey College, Affies, and Monument. They were competitive against Monnasin their last outing, but they’ll be smarting.
Still, there is a quality that one can guarantee from a Jeppe boy: a fight-to-the-last-whistle mentality. Northwood possesses that same kind of attitude. They’re a hard-nosed, abrasive bunch. Those ingredients should make for a hard-hitting battle, interspersed with some flash from the backs; both sides possess pace and skill behind their packs.
Clifton will be able to count on strong support at their Old Boys’ Weekend. Photo: Supplied.
Clifton College vs St David’s Marist Inanda
Clifton College celebrates its Old Boys’ Weekend with a derby against St David’s Marist Inanda, featuring chess, debating, golf, hockey, tennis, and, of course, rugby.
Last weekend, Clifton was in Pretoria to take on St Alban’s College. In a hard-fought clash, the home side prevailed 24-8. St David’s faced St Alban’s, also in Pretoria, at the end of March, and came away with a nail-biting 25-24 win. That suggests that the visitors should be favoured in Durban.
Two factors might work against them: the travel and the Old Boys’ Weekend. If Clifton can feed off the energy of their supporters, and St David’s doesn’t travel well, coach Jose Dos Santos‘s boys could give their Old Boys a much-desired gift and the Durban side’s 1st XV a big boost.
Their biggest challenge in 2026 has been an extraordinary list of injuries, which has affected cohesion. As more players return to action, the better they combine. The question Clifton faces is whether they’ll have enough cohesion on Saturday.
St David’s supporters, for their part, would surely like to see an emphatic performance from their team. Their largest margin of victory in 2026 has been three points.
Northwood vs Jeppe, Reece-Edwards Field, in Durban, at 13:00
Northwood: 15 Trevor van Volentee, 13 Anesu Kuzonyei, 13 Phinda Nkosi, 12 Sifiso Meyiwa, 11 Jadon Smith, 10 Sondelani Sheleni, 9 Ludi van der Walt, 8 Jamie Wimble, 7 Tristan Parkinson, 6 Kevin van Volenstee, 5 Nala Shabangu, 4 Ruddy Makoni, 3 Janco Visagie, 1 Omila Marambana.
Lindsey Jansen and Risima Khosa scored hat-tricks, and Vusi Moyo kicked 22 points as the Junior Springboks showed their class with an emphatic 97-0 victory (half-time 52-0) over Chile in their U20 International Series opener at Rondebosch Boys’ High in Cape Town on a sunny but chilly Thursday afternoon.
In a one-sided affair, the South Africans put their best attacking foot forward as they ripped through their opponents’ defence, scoring 15 tries that had the big crowd in awe, with the odd mistake ensuring the Junior Boks will have something to work on in the coming days.
Although there were times when Chile got their hands on the ball to test the Junior Boks’ defence, that didn’t happen nearly enough, with turnovers often resulting in strong counter-attacks from the hosts.
Dominant in all phases across the park, the Junior Boks scored eight tries before the break, with Jansen contributing three as the South Americans – despite playing with a breeze at their backs – had no answer for the array of attacking options exhibited by the hosts.
The SA u20s’ attacking intent was on display from the start, with Jayden Brits‘ opening try in the fourth minute coming from a quick-tap penalty taken in their own 22, with the scrumhalf racing clear after good exploitation of space and quick hands by his outside backs.
Luan van den Berg and Gert Kemp also added their names to the score sheet, and more followed in the second half, although the Chileans also deserve credit for never backing down.
Khosa, who led the Junior Boks, completed his hat-trick with a signature maul try as the replacements came on for some valuable game time. Pieter van der Merwe, Kai Pratt, and Altus Rabe also scored in the third quarter to hand the hosts an 80-0 lead with 20 minutes to go, but then things became a bit loose.
Rabe added his second try, also from a strong lineout drive, with 12 minutes to go, and a few minutes later, Quintin Potgieter scored from the back of a strong scrum in which the Junior Boks shoved their opponents off the ball, to bring up 90.
Potgieter got his second on the stroke of full time, from a deft little stab into space by Moyo, who landed his 11th conversion, to seal the emphatic win for the Junior Boks.
In the opening game of their U20 International Series at the same venue earlier on Thursday, Georgia beat Fiji 29-23. The Junior Boks face Fiji on Tuesday, while Chile and Georgia will face off, with both games at Wynberg Boys’ High.
Scorers
Junior Springboks 97 (52) – Tries: Jayden Brits, Risima Khosa (3), Lindsey Jansen (3), Luan van der Berg, Gert Kemp, Pieter van der Merwe, Kai Pratt, Altus Rabe (2), Quintin Potgieter (2). Conversions: Vusi Moyo (11).
It’s been more than a decade since Westville won at Dixon’s Field. Stopping that streak won’t come easy against the Green Machine. Photo: Brad Morgan.
Westville Boys’ High visits Dixon’s Field on Saturday for a showdown with Glenwood High. The Griffinswill be favoured to bag a win, but they’ll know a proud, hard Green Machine awaits them.
Last year, Westville’s unbeaten 1st XV faced Glenwood in the friendly confines of Bowden’s Field, and it was a difficult outing. Although Westville won 42-25, they were only 25-21 ahead early in the second half. An intercept try from Moustapher Gcina broke open a tight contest, helping the home side to pull away to a 17-point victory.
In 2024, it was 35-32 in favour of Westville on Bowden’s. When Westville last visited Dixon’s Field in 2023, the Green Machine triumphed 25-24. All of which goes to say that recent matches between the schools have been tightly contested.
While the visitors will run onto Dixon’s as the favourite, they will take to Glenwood’s field knowing, too, that a tough, unforgiving physical examination awaits them. The Green Machine’s approach is blue-collar. Glenwood boys get stuck in and seem to relish the dirty work, the foundation that enables them to express themselves.
Last weekend, in an entertaining 26-26 draw with St Charles College, though, their backs conjured up some fantastic counterattacking tries. Rosco Williams dissected the Saints‘ defence when they hesitated for only a moment, and Jakub Bednar, on the left wing, produced a wonderful try-scoring run, combining power and pace, to get the better of four defenders.
Elgenio Oerson, who was selected for the Sharks Academy Weekside, along with Rosco Williams, pulls the strings in the backline. He reads the game well and provides good direction from inside centre.
On Saturday, at Old Orchards, not to be outdone by the Glenwood backline players, hooker Tyler Leon, better known for running through tacklers, sold a lovely dummy to score from range.
Descriptions of sharp counterattacking are often associated with Westville Boys’ High. They’ve had their challenges this season with injuries, but their starting XV for Saturday’s showdown looks awfully familiar, with some of the senior players who were out of action returning. They’re playing good rugby now.
When they’re fit and firing, Westville is a runaway, abnormal load. Glenwood will need to close down space and force the visitors into a tighter, more forward-based contest than they would like to play. It’s not that Westville doesn’t have the firepower up front. They do. It’s that Glenwood will not want the Westville backs to have space to play in.
The visitors are blessed with pace and playmakers behind their pack, and it all starts with flyhalf, Jade-Will Koopman, who possesses the boot to dominate the game, both from a tactical and a goal-kicking perspective. One cannot simply sell out to stop that, however, as Koopman is a dangerous runner, too, and adept at getting his backline moving.
Outside centre, Jadrian Afrikaner, feeds off the more direct approach of his midfield partner, Curtis Fenton, and there are few finishers able to match Afrikaner. If he spots a gap, he has the speed, the power, and the feet to fly through it in a split second.
Outside of last year’s SA Schools’ left-wing, Westville has flyers in Avumile Lisa and Bukho Sotaka, and a superb counterattacking fullback in Lux Sonkonoknono.
Up front, and now fit, they look formidable.
Westville’s season hasn’t panned out as successfully as might have been expected. But a closer look at their tough schedule reveals five losses and four of those – against Hilton College, Jeppe, Waterkloof, and Northwood – were by five points or less. With slim margins, there were one or two moments in those contests that, had Westville won them, they would have also won those matches. They remain a top team.
Glenwood’s season hasn’t gone smoothly. They’re a young outfit, and that comes with growing pains. But they play with pride and a never-back-down attitude, so, as the legendary New York Yankees‘ catcher, Yogi Berra, was quoted as saying: “It ain’t over till it’s over”.
Glenwood High vs Westville Boys’ High, Dixon’s Field, in Durban, at 15:30
After a comfortable 64-5 success against Hoërskool Tygerberg last weekend, Hoërskool Durbanville will go into their King Price Derby Series clash against Bishops with confidence.
The teams take to the field for a 12:30 kickoff.
Last weekend, the visitors lost 14-66 at Paarl Gimnasium, arguably the most in-form side in the country, which extended Bishops’ run of losses to five.
Those five matches also included two southern suburbs’ derbies and a long trek to KwaZulu-Natal to take on a tough Hilton College team.
There’s no let-up. More tough games await Bishops, so the King Price Derby Series clash is an opportunity to pick up a win, to put it in plain terms.
Last weekend, outside centre Danny Newton showed off some exciting skills, even in the absence of his centre partner, Eljaron Geduld. He and hooker Joe Lanning were the only members of the visiting side to get over Gimmies‘ try line.
Durbanville is not short of talent. Without blindside flank Zay-Winn Januarie up for selection last weekend, openside flank Jean de Vries rose to the occasion to bag two tries. Fullback Wihan Roux, who also contributes many points off the kicking tee, also went over for a brace.
It’s expected to be a tight contest. Bishops will aim to end a streak of five losses, and Durbanville will aim to start a streak by winning back-to-back matches for the first time this season.
The teams:
Hoërskool Durbanville: 15 Wihan Roux, 14 Raydon Williams, 13 Farrel-Leigh Dido, 12 Louwrens Rademeyer, 11 Cole Carls, 10 Hadley Erasmus, 9 Lorenzo Brogneri, 8 Muller Jansen van Vuuren, 7 Jano Hearn, 6 Jean de Vries, 5 Jano Stone, 4 Jeandré Janse van Rensburg, 3 Hanno Rhode, 2 Tristen Muller, 1 Hannes Vermeulen.
Diocesan College: 15 Miyolo Ngculu, 14 Jono Horton, 13 Danny Newton, 12 Christian Toweel, 11 Elihle Tsobo, 10 Caleb Clark, 9 Jack Fleck, 8 Jack Venter, 7 Connor Clark, 6 James Gordon, 5 Alex Vintcent (captain), 4 Dan Coetzee, 3 Jack Hibling, 2 Joe Lanning, 1 Jarred Kowen.
Flank Juan Visagie takes a deep breath before the start of the action. Photo: Boland Landbou 1st XV Rugby.
Boland Landbou returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 26-22 win over SACS last weekend. Meanwhile, Milnerton High, who host the Farmers on Saturday, fell to a narrow 17-22 defeat to Hoërskool Strand last time out.
Both sides have endured tough seasons playing tough schedules.
They kick off at 12:45 on Saturday, with both intent on taking out their frustrations on their opponents.
The Farmers are fortunate to have the relentless Juan Visagie at blindside flank. He’s been one of the top performers on the field in almost every game he’s played. His warrior spirit is admirable, and it’s why he leads the Paarl outfit.
Millies will need their forwards to be at their best if they are to afford scrumhalf Callan Lakay and flyhalf Chadlin Sellidon enough of the ball to make a difference. Both are good playmakers if given quality ball.
Based on their recent form, the Farmers will feel confident about recording back-to-back wins for the first time this season. Millies, still chasing a first win, will be desperate to turn the tide in front of their home crowd.
Last year, Hoërskool Swartland beat Hoërskool Charlie Hofmeyr 18-10 in Malmesbury. This year, they visit Ceres for a 13:30 kickoff against Charlies.
The Malmesbury locals have been in fine form, convincingly winning their last six matches, but Charlies will fancy their chances with home-field advantage.
The Rockies might be slightly rusty after their showdown with HTS Drostdy last weekend was cancelled due to heavy flooding.
Swartland loosehead prop Dewald Jaars is a ball-carrying threat. He’s a try-scoring threat from 10 metres out. Charlie Hofmeyr tighthead, Ernst Coetzee, will also face a tough challenge from Jaars in the set scrums.
Hooker, Winsor Solomons, has been a regular try-scorer for Swartland. He’s another player Charlies will need to keep in check if they are to win.
After four losses in succession, DF Akademie produced a rock-solid defensive performance in a 29-0 victory over Fairmont High last weekend.
They’re away for a 12:40 kickoff against Hoërskool Porterville, who won 37-28 two weeks ago in their last outing against Hoërskool Vredendal.
DF will, nonetheless, be feeling confident. Openside flank Sebastian Botha and hooker Meyer Brits were contributors to the strong defensive performance against Fairmont, and both crossed for a try each. They’re workhorses who will challenge Porterville and make the breakdown battle tricky for the hosts.
On attack, fullback Pieter Delport has been vital to his side’s offensive efforts. Even if Porterville negates his try-scoring abilities, Delport is a reliable kicker who does a good job of turning penalties into three points.
DF faces a demanding challenge at Porterville, who will draw on the home support to enhance their challenge.
TEAMS
Boland Landbou (likely): 15 Divan Meyer, 14 Kobus Jordaan, 13 Louis du Plessis, 12 Cobus Immelman, 11 Erchel Hanga, 10 Gehano van Bo, 9 Oloff Bergh, 8 Josua Kruger, 7 Juan Visagie, 6 Jacques Bester, 5 Reinier Visser, 4 Chad Meintjies, 3 Tiaan Malan, 2 Adrian le Roux, 1 Nico de Beer.
Hoërskool Charlie Hofmeyr (likely): 15 Shandley Burrouws, 14 Zeph Sass, 13 Willmuth Loff, 12 Chris-Will du Toit, 11 Henry Willemse, 10 Randall Muller, 9 Ashley Reitz, 8 Joshua Selders, 7 Jordan Philander, 6 Louis Reynolds, 5 Heinrich Fourie, 4 Hendré Kotze, 3 Joshua Swarts, 2 Lourens Nel, 1 Dewald Jaars.
Hoërskool Swartland (likely): 15 Vusi Johannes, 14 Juan Hilburg, 13 Adieu Crawford, 12 Enrico Louw, 11 Zaidell Paulus, 10 De Wet van Aswegen, 9 Markus Vorster, 8 Jean Beukes, 7 Christian Cupido, 6 James Joubert, 5 Finn Fowlds, 4 Jared Fredericks, 3 Ernst Coetzee, 2 Winsor Solomons, 1 Jacques van Zyl.
DF Akademie (likely): 15 Pieter Delport, 14 Tarquin Newman, 13 Dylan Thompson, 12 Zuan Lottering, 11 Jayden Plaatjies, 10 Joshua Simon, 9 Sinalo Kethelo, 8 Juan le Roux, 7 Gerhard Groenewald, 6 Sebastian Botha, 5 Salo Schoeman, 4 Christo Fourie, 3 Cor Hoving, 2 Meyer Brits (Captain), 1 Alu Joko.
Paul Roos Gimnasium’s in-form offence will be challenged by Paarl Boys’ High’s rugged defence. Photo: Paul Roos Rugby.
Having won their last five games in succession, Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) is in form and aiming to avenge last year’s 26-36 loss against PaarlBoys’ High in Stellenbosch on Saturday.
Kickoff in their King Price Derby Series clash is at 14:00.
Last weekend, Boishaai beat Stellenberg High 29-7 in one of their best performances of the season. Their defence, especially, was impeccable.
Boishaai’s teams are renowned for their forward power, but like all good outfits, they’re also blessed with talent among their backs. Fullback Dante Davids and utility back Jeneal Davids are confident runners and offer a cutting edge. They’re speedy and strong and run good lines.
Last weekend, Dante dotted down twice against Stellies, while Jeneal has been racking up tries all season long.
Boishaai head coach Sean Erasmus shared his comments on his side, the opposition, and the opportunity to earn another victory in this chapter of the two schools’ rivalry.
“I was really proud of the boys’ character shown last weekend [against Stellenberg],” he said. “Character is something we focus on, as we want the boys to improve from week to week.”
“Paul Roos is a really good team. I have a lot of respect for their head coach Corné Uys. I like that they are rigid in their approach. They have a strong kicking game and defensive mindset. It shows discipline, which I respect.
“This is a rivalry between two traditional schools, so it’s always nice to test ourselves against them. We know it’s going to be a packed Markötter.
“We’re looking forward to showing what we can do. We want to stick to our three pillars: Faith, Family and Team. We also want to continue growing our character as a team.”
The Maroon Machine has also been playing exciting attacking rugby. Lately, left wing Cadynn Samuels and fullback Kyle Snyers have been in the thick of the try-scoring action. With flyhalf Travis Pheiffer back in the mix, one can expect the hosts to have many tricks up their sleeves.
However, before their backs can get their hands on the ball, it’s their forwards who have to earn possession up front. Lock Stef de Villiers and hooker Chris Meyburgh have proved themselves to be a dependable lineout combination for PRG.
Boishaai lock AD Faul led his side brilliantly against the Jade Brigade, and his battle with De Villiers in the lineout will be an interesting battle within the greater war.
Openside flank Steven Muller crossed for a try from a lineout maul in that win over Stellies, but hooker JP Norton is also a dangerous option at the back of the rolling maul.
With both sides in good form, a classic traditional derby is in the offing. Making it all the better, there is no clear-cut favourite to win on Saturday.
The teams:
Paul Roos Gimnasium: 15 Kyle Snyers, 14 Tevez Cupido, 13 Jean Hamman, 12 Albert Nel, 11 Cadynn Sameuls, 10 Travis Pheiffer, 9 Jaedon Powell, 8 Werner de Bruin, 7 Gerard Bekker, 6 Christian le Roux, 5 Reuben Winter, 4 Stef de Villiers, 3 Zak Steyn, 2 Chris Meyburgh, 1 Thomas Meyer.
Paarl Boys’ High (likely): 15 Dante Davids, 14 Dirk Farmer, 13 Aleit Stander, 12 Jeneal Davids, 11 Cayden Snyman, 10 Daniel Meisenheimer, 9 Liam de Villiers, 8 Chris Nel, 7 Luhan Hattingh, 6 Steven Muller, 5 AD Faul (captain), 4 Trichard von Tonder, 3 TG du Preez, 2 JP Norton, 1 Max Malan.
Rondebosch is the underdog against Stellenberg, aiming to pull off a big upset in Bellville. Photo: Rondebosch Boys’ Rugby.
When they meet in Bellville at 12:45 on Saturday, both Rondebosch Boys’ High and Stellenberg High will be aiming to rebound after suffering hefty losses last weekend.
As the underdog, and playing on the Tinkie Heyns Field last year, the Jade Brigade scraped a narrow 23-22 win.
On this occasion, they’ll be the favourites at home. Wings Emilie Cilliers and Ralton Rhode will be hungry to get back to their scoring ways after being left frustrated by Boishaai‘s brilliant defence on Saturday.
Lock Juvan Burden is one of the best lineout jumpers in schoolboy rugby, and he has helped his side to collect a highlight reel’s worth of maul tries this season. The visitors will need to prepare themselves for Stellies’ relentless mauling. They will be tested in that area.
For ‘Bosch, Tyler Heyns, at inside centre and Eathon Williams, at flyhalf, are two playmakers who will have their work cut out for them against Stellies’ stout defence.
Rondebosch locks, Bertus Versfeld and Bjorn Morkel, will also be key players. They’ll need to steal a few lineouts if they are to limit the hosts’ momentum and try-scoring opportunities.
After losing their first six matches of the season, Worcester Gimnasium is aiming to make it three wins in three matches when they host Hoërskool Hugenote (Wellington) on Saturday, with kickoff commencing at 11:40.
The visitors head to Worcester fresh from a comfortable 64-17 victory over Hoërskool Hermanus.
Their only common opponent this season, thus far, has been Hoërskool Punt. Hugenote beat the Mossel Bay school 44-24, while Worcester Gim won 31-25.
Results like that, though, are not reliable indicators of the outcome of other matches. What the season’s records of Hugenote and Worcester Gim consistently reveal, however, is that Hugenote has scored more freely than Gim, even in matches that they lost.
Worcester Gim left-wing Joyce Baningela bagged a hat-trick in his side’s 32-29 victory versus Hoërskool Brackenfell two weeks ago, which was also the most points Gim has scored this season.
The home side will need to lift their game again on Saturday if they are to outscore Hugenote.
Hoërskool Brackenfell will be chasing a first win in three matches when they visit Hoërskool Strand. While Brakkies lost to Worcestor Gim last time out, their output of 29 points was their highest tally by seven points this season.
Last season, Strand won 45-17, and they’ll feel confident they can make it two in a row against Brackenfell on Saturday. While Brakkies pursue a first win in four matches, Strand will aim for their fourth victory in succession.
Scrumhalf Hayden Fortuin and flyhalf Yusuf Hannibal will be key playmakers for Brakkies. They’ll need to conjure up some magic to get the better of an in-form Strand side.
The hosts’ captain and eighthman Rohan Bezuidenhout has been a frequent try scorer throughout the season. He’s got an engine on him and racks up plenty of tackles and carries in every match
Bezuidenhout is no one-man army, though. Flyhalf Leathon Lewis offers a good boot, which Strand will need against Brackenfell.
TEAMS
Stellenberg High (likely): 15 Liam Jacobs, 14 Morné Pretorius, 13 Ralton Rhode, 12 Daniel Mongie, 11 Emile Cilliers, 10 Ethan van Biljon, 9 Daniel Steffen, 8 Yanos Molnar, 7 Carlo Brink, 6 Seth Coetzé, 5 Juvan Burden, 4 Jayden Young, 3 Janu Van Deventer, 2 Liam Joubert, 1 Uzair Blackenberg.
The King Price Derby Series clash between St Stithians College and Parktown Boys’ High at 14:00 on the Baytopp Field at Saints is a significant one.
