King Edward VII School’s lock, Michael Bownes playing his part in a successful lineout against St John’s College. Photo: King Edward VII School on Facebook.
Johannesburg is abuzz on the eve of the first of two derbies between King Edward VII School(KES) and Jeppe High School for Boys.
This year, the long-standing rivalry between two of Johannesburg’s proudest rugby schools will form part of the new King Price Derby Series, adding to the excitement of a massive day.
The Reds will have the luxury of home-ground advantage in the first meeting with the Zebras. Last weekend, KES sneaked a 17-15 victory over St John’s College, thanks to the accurate boot of fullback, Indi Mbonsiswa.
His battle from the tee with Nehemia Hollenbach, Jeppe’s general and flyhalf, could be the deciding factor between the rivals on Saturday. Hollenbach has also impressed with his accurate kicking in Jeppe’s two matches, which included a 28-17 victory over Pretoria Boys High last week.
Alongside Mbonsiswa, in the back three for the Reds, wings, Jarrel Mbuyi and Luyanda Mbandama, will need to be watched closely by the visitor’s defence. Both are good finishers when afforded opportunities and space on the outside.
Up front, Jeppe’s blindside flanker, Grady Ngui, will have a massive role to play in getting his side onto the front foot. His physical presence, especially with his abrasive runs will surely keep the home side busy.
He will look to SA Schools A prop, André Poulton for support to set the tone for the Jeppe pack.
TEAMS
King Edward VII Schools vs Jeppe High School for Boys at 13:15 in Johannesburg
King Edward VII: 15 Indi Mbonsiswa, 14 Jarrel Mbuyi, 13 Skye Segal, 12 Sam Smith, 11 Luyanda Mbandama, 10 Andrew Jackson, 9 Reegan McGurk, 8 Chinedu Amadi, 7 Sam Bruwer, 6 Nkos’enhle Mafu, 5 Michael Bownes, 4 Tryon Smith, 3 Dylan Budler, 2 Tristan Randall, 1 Kenny Prins.
Thato Mpati was a key contributor to Northern Meridian Academy winning the national title in the 2024 Kay Motsepe Schools Championship.
The South Africa u20 men’s national team, known as Amajita, is currently in camp preparing for the forthcoming 2025 u20 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), which takes place in April in Côte d’Ivoire.
Before the tournament’s kickoff, Amajita, as part of their preparations, takes on Botswana in two friendly international matches on 22 and 25 March.
Among the players to have been called up is Meridian Northern Academy’s Thato Mpati. The grade 12 learner represents the Kay Motsepe Schools Championship winners and also showcases his talents for Magesi FC in the DStv Diski Challenge.
Those close to him describe Mpati as a natural-born leader with exceptional talent. He has been an important part of Meridian Northern Academy’s success in recent years and was a key player in the team that won the Kay Motsepe Schools Championshipin 2024.
The final of the Kay Motsepe Schools’ Championship, where Meridian Northern Academy was crowned the national champion after defeating Eletsa Secondary, from the North West Province, 2-1 in the title clash, was played in Rustenburg.
Mpati earned the title of top goalscorer in the tournament, while his teammate Bokang Thaba was named the player of the tournament. Additionally, their coach, Hendrick Mukwevho, received the accolade of the coach of the tournament, which highlighted and underlined the dominance of the Meridian Northern Academy team.
Mpati’s selection for the u20 national team is a testament to his hard work and the strong football development programme at Meridian Northern Academy, which continues to produce top players.
After learning about his selection for Amajita, the Meridian Northern Academy team congratulated Mpati on the achievement and wished him success as he took a significant step forward in his football career.
The South Africa u20 team began training sessions for the Afcon tournament on Wednesday, 19 February.
The Collegiate Girls’ High team is ready to kick off the 2025 season. Photo: Munyai Terence ( Thongo_015)
There is a sense of excitement and optimism surrounding the Collegiate Girls’ High School‘s first hockey team ahead of the 2025 season.
The girls from Gqeberha, led by coach Michael Abrahams, will kick off their campaign at the Synsport Greg Beling Festival in East London on the weekend.
The annual festival starts on Thursday, 20 March, and ends on Sunday, 23 March.
Collegiate plays Hudson Park High, Bethlehem Voortrekker, Middelburg Hoërskool, and Parel Vallei at the festival.
Those will be their first matches of the year and Coach Abrahams said his team is eager to see action.
“There is a lot of excitement around the 2025 season,” he told SuperSport Schools Plus. “Last year had its challenges, and we learnt so much throughout last season. We are looking forward to what the new season has in store.”
The school, which is located in Parsons Hills, produced a promising season last year and racked up some big wins against their provincial counterparts, defeating top sides that included Clarendon, DSG Makhanda, Pearson High, and Woodridge College, all while fielding a relatively young side.
“Last year was very much a rebuilding year for us, with the majority of the team being u16,” Abrahams explained.
“We’ve retained 13 players this year and, with that said, the goal is to build on last season’s performances and try to be better in all aspects.”
Abrahams emphasised that he wants his team to play an attacking brand of hockey that allows his players to express themselves while maintaining their defensive discipline.
He also wants to challenge the most competitive teams in the country.
“There are many talented teams across the country, and we look forward to competing with them throughout the season,” he concluded.
Collegiate faces Hudson Park on Friday before playing two matches on Saturday. They close off their schedule at the festival when they play against Parel Vallei on Sunday morning.
Friday, 21 March 13:30 – Collegiate vs Hudson Park
Saturday, 22 March 08:30 – Collegiate vs Middelburg Hoërskool
17:00 – Collegiate vs Voortrekker
Sunday, 23 March
09:30 – Collegiate vs Parel Vallei
Die span van die hoofstad van Limpopo kom teen Hoërskool Marais Viljoen op sy tuisveld te staan om sake vir ‘n plek in die Prestige-reeks se halfeindronde uit te spook.
Die Pieties het tot dusver beïndruk met seges oor Potchefstroom Volkskool, Bergsig Akademie en, verál, Heidelberg Volkskool, waarvan die laaste twee taamlike karaktertoetse was.
Marais Viljoen beskik vanjaar egter oor ‘n reuse pak voorspelers, met agsteman, Rio Tshimbalanga, en slot, Clayton Gagiano, wat die aanslag voorlangs lei. Boonop moet die Pieties noodgedwonge klaarkom sonder hul staatmakerstut, Stephan Jansen van Rensburg, wat die wedstryd weens ‘n besering misloop. Dit bied aan Elardus Erasmus die geleentheid om sy staal in die voorry te wys.
Hoërskool Montana moet die onvoorspelbare Potchefstroom Volkskool tem om sy plek in die halfeind te bepreek. Die Wit Bulle is nietemin netjies op dreef, met drie agtereenvolgende seges in slegs 10 dae. Vernaam die Monties se lostrio, gelei deur agsteman, Eric Potgieter, bied ‘n taamlike uidaging vir die Volkies se pak.
Die span van Potchefstroom het egter reeds gewys dat hy die kastaiings uit die vuur kan krap, soos wat die geval was in verlede naweek se naelskraapse oorwinning met een punt oor Bergsig Akademie. Heelagter, Anro Nel, beskik oor die vermoë om van enige plek op die veld dodelike teenaanvalle te loods en sal met ‘n valkoog dopgehou moet word.
Bergsig Akademie is oorgehaal om hierdie week sy eerste sege van die 2025-seisoen te behaal, en dit teen verlede jaar se naaswenners van die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Skild-afdeling, Hoërskool Lichtenburg. Die Arende het in hul laaste drie wedstryde met twee of minder punte in die stof gebyt.
Die Liggies, daarenteen, het hul rondomtalie-ronde met ‘n oortuigende sege van 41-17 oor Hoërskool Jeugland afgesluit en sal verál voorlangs die pap dik aanmaak, met die veelsydige Juan van Rhyn aan die spits.
Marais Viljoen t. Hoërskool Pietersburg om 15:15 in Alberton:
Marais Viljoen: 15 Raynhardt Kruger, 14 Tristan Thom, 13 Juan van den Heever, 12 Jonno Morkel, 11 Kabelo Tlhoaele, 10 Claude do Couto, 9 Ethan Weideman, 8 Rio Tshimbalanga, 7 Tiaan van Huysteen, 6 Junior Mwengehya, 5 Clayton Gagiano, 4 Jermaine Crous, 3 Sifiso Shongwe, 2 Ondisa Njili, 1 Juan Cooper.
Hoërskool Pietersburg: 15 Ryno Mienie, 14 Armandt Venter, 13 Basson Wolmarans, 12 Siya Manhlangu, 11 Keanu Potgieter, 10 Juan Randell, 9 Celliers van der Merwe, 8 Ludke Pienaar, 7 Juan Janse van Vuuren, 6 Andru de Beer, 5 FC Smith, 4 Brent Vorster, 3 Elardus Erasmus, 2 Ziahn Lombaard, 1 Kyle Swanepoel.
Potchefstroom Volkskool t. Montana om 13:50 in Alberton:
Potchefstroom Volkskool: 15 Anro Nel, 14 Theunis Nel, 13 Hennie Pretorius, 12 River Samuals, 11 Juan Fourie, 10 Lorenzo Louw, 9 Juhan Geldenhuys, 8 Johannes Lombaard, 7 Marlu du Preez, 6 Wian Victor, 5 Stef Schoeman, 4 Joshua van der Westhuizen, 3 De Waal Coetzer, 2 Louis Fourie, 1 AB Brink
Montana: 15 Marq de Villiers, 14 Keagan van der Merwe, 13 Luan Barnard, 12 Hendrew Schoeman, 11 Juan Alexander, 10 Rubel Bester, 9 Braam Schutte, 8 Eric Potgieter, 7 Ulrich van Biljon, 6 Dieter Scheepers, 5 Kyle Bronkhorst, 4 Victor Carr, 3 Xandré le Roux, 2 Aiden Vorster, 1 Aiden van der Made.
Bergsig Akademie t. Hoërskool Lichtenburg om 11:10 in Alberton:
Bergsig Akademie: 15 Alzandro Dos Santos, 14 Keabetswe Daile, 13 Bradley Stonehous, 12 Dan Bogopane, 11 Heinrich Krugel, 10 Carlo de Jager, 9 Paulo Dos Santos, 8 Stephan Harmse, 7 Thatano Bagwase, 6 Christiaan de Abreu, 5 Martin Pieterse, 4 Jacques Viviers, 3 Dylan Smith, 2 Marnus Dercksen, 1 Thabang Machubene.
Hoërskool Lichtenburg: 15 Xander Blom, 14 Tehan Potgieter 13 Ruan Kroëse, 12 Oratile Sekoto, 11 Kuzi Mupudzi, 10 Luan Snyman, 9 Rea Motsusi, 8 KG Legodi, 7 Tiaan Booysen, 6 MC Shanahan, 5 Elje Kleynhans, 4 George Bingudza, 3 Duan Kruger, 2 Juan van Rhyn, 1 Armandt Pienaar.
Dié twee plaaslike spanne kom hierdie naweek reeds by Wesvalia in ‘n reuse kragmeting, in die NWU Prestige-reeks se kwarteindronde, teen mekaar te staan.
In die nr. 10-trui wag ‘n tweestryd soos min tussen die tuisspan se Eduard Dreyer en Brendin Mathyse van Klerksdorp, met albei dié generale wat oor hope ervaring en ondernemingsgees beskik. Boonop kan hul akkurate korrelwerk pale toe vir ‘n stryd binne ‘n stryd sorg en uiteindelik die verskil tussen wen en verloor beteken.
In die agterste ry van die skrum gaan twee van die sterkste aanspraakmakers op die nr. 8-trui van die Luiperds se Cravenweekspan, Tiaan Koen (Klerksdorp) en Franco Dumond (Wesvalia), fisies sake uitspook op sowel die aanval as verdediging. Benewens die bedreiging wat Mathyse en Koen op die aanval inhou, sal die Wessie-agterlyn ook op hul hoede moet wees vir Klerksdorp se gevaarman in die middeveld, Winton Abrahams, wat op binnesenter teen Wian du Preez te staan kom.
Hoërskool Zwartkop en die gevaarlike Hoërskool Die Anker durf mekaar reeds voor die Klerksdorp-derby in nóg ‘n fisieke stryd aan.
Die Zwarries is steeds onoorwonne in vanjaar se reeks nadat hulle verlede naweek met die einste Klerksdorp en, Dinsdagaand in die reën, Hoërskool Hugenote van Springs afgereken het. Die Anker is self nie te versmaai nie en spog met ‘n indrukwekkende sege van 50-10 oor Potchefstroom Gimnasium, wat die ander spanne in die reeks laat reggop sit het. Die verskillende speelstyle van dié twee spanne behoort vir ‘n aangrypende 70 minute te sorg.
Die pak van Brakpan sal sy stempel vroeg wil afdruk deur slot, Brendan van Lutterveld, en losskopstut, Branden Sauerman, terwyl die Zwarries die bal soveel en vinnig as moontlik by sy gevaarlike agterlyn, en spesifiek die snellers op die punte, Luan Isaacs en Zulu Mona, sal wil uitkry. In die middelveld kan die stryd tussen die Zwarries se vlugvoetige Justin Julies en die ewe ratse Edrick Pienaar van Die Anker ook vir vuurwerke sorg.
Die spanne:
Wesvalia t. Hoërskool Klerksdorp om 15:30 in Klerksdorp
Wesvalia: 15 Henco Greyling, 14 Stephan Pelser, 13 Jeandré Snyman, 12 Wian du Preez, 11 Fafa Calitz, 10 Eduard Dreyer, 9 Barry Niemand, 8 Franco Dumond, 7 Christiaan Swanepoel, 6 Quewen Fourie, 5 JP Hatting, 4 Deacon Kath, 3 Charl du Preez, 2 Fanie Linde, 1 Ignus Nel.
Hoërskool Klerksdorp: 15 Dorian Isaacs, 14 Tyran Masango, 13 Marco Symington, 12 Winton Abrahams , 11 Jayden Turner, 10 Brendin Mathyse, 9 Jarred van Staden, 8 Tiaan Koen, 7 Marnus van der Merwe, 6 Karabelo Maseka, 5 Juan Hills, 4 Abrie Esterhuizen, 3 Zander Nienaber, 2 Rionaldao Joubert, 1 De Wet le Roux.
Zwartkop t. Die Anker om 12:40 in Klerksdorp:
Zwartkop: 15 Stiaan Botha, 14 Luan Isaacs, 13 Justin Julies, 12 David van Jaarsveld, 11 Zulu Mona, 10 Tilon Baron, 9 Luan Janse van Rensburg, 8 Wihan Roux, 7 Luan Wepener, 6 Brian Smith, 5 Jethro le Roux, 4 Ettienne van Nieker, 3 AJ Hendrick, 2 Reagan Blignaut, 1 Matthew Smith.
Die Anker (moontlik): 15 Paul Schutte, 14 Dullon le Roux, 13 Arno Krugel, 12 Edrick Pienaar, 11 Jonothan Jordaan, 10 Danie Smit, 9 Jean Blignaut, 8 Jaydon Steenkamp, 7 Markus Herbst, 6 Byron van Zyl, 5 Brendan van Lutterverld, 4 Gerhard Oosthuizen, 3 Xavier Momberg, 2 Rico Goosen, 1 Branden Sauerman
Ander wedstryde:
Heidelberg Volkskool t. Jeugland om 12:30 in Klerksdorp:
Heidelberg Volkskool: 15 Theuns van der Merwe, 14 Jason Brits, 13 Jeandré Pretorius, 12 Tristan Munro, 11 JV Badella, 10 Marco Botha, 9 Hein Oelofse, 8 Jaco Botha, 7 Eduard Roets, 6 Klaas Venter, 5 Juan de Villiers, 4 Jano Dietrechsen, 3 Werner Grobler, 2 Henru Coetzer, 1 Dean Last.
Daar sal Vrydag presies vasgestel word in watter mate die Wit Bulle van die Hoërskool Monument in Krugersdorp van hul wonde van 2024 herstel het.
Die Wit Bulle kom om 18:10 op sy tuisveld, die Ras van Rooyen, teen die rugbyfabriek van Bloemfontein, Grey-kollege, te staan. Grey het verlede jaar in die Rosestad die Wit Bulle ‘n gevoelige loesing van 87-19 toegedien.
Dié grootste pak slae wat die span van Monnas nog op die lyf geloop het.
Vanjaar se wedstryd is boonop ook deel die King Price Derby Series.
Monument het intussen ‘n oud-Grey en voormalige Springbok-voorryman, Jannie du Plessis, nader gehark om die Wit Bulle weer tot stoetgehalte te brei.
Monnas het ook ‘n nuwe direkteur van rugby in Reinhard Gerber wat self op sy dag die Wit Bulle verteenwoordig het.
Du Plessis sal sonder twyfel Vrydag homself in ‘n moeilike posisie in sy eerste kragmeting teen sy alma-mater. Hy sou voor hy die Wit Bulle begin afrig het, nog nooit daaraan moes dink dat Grey ‘n wedstryd sal verloor nie, maar sal self die keer planne vir die span van die Rosestad se ondergang moes beraam.
Monnas het verlede week vir Welkom Gimnasium met 38-27 in Welkom die loef afgesteek. Dit was hul eerste kragmeting van die seisoen. Grey het ook vroeër vanjaar vir Welkom Gimnasium met 60-17 kaf gedraf.
Indien die Wit Bulle suksesvol wil wees sal hul Grey se senterpaar, Ethan Adams en Toriq Schambreel, moet hokslaan. Schambreel se ouer broer, Jody Schambreel, het in sy loopbaan ook vir die Wit Bulle verteenwoordig.
Die kragmeting is nog meer spesiaal oor die feit dat dit ook die jaarlikse MalCullum Marx-gedenkwedstryd is. Die Wit Bulle se eerste tuiswedstryd van ‘n seisoen staan sedert 1994 as die MalCullum Marx-gedenkwedstryd bekend. Monnas het nog net een keer in 1996 teen Waterkloof (15-24) die knie in dié kragmeting gebuig.
Die spanne is:
Monument: 15 Caylum Schooney, 14 Ewan van der Walt, 13 Tasliem Guyan, 12 Xavier Nel, 11 Viandré van Loggenberg, 10 Jaydon Viljoen, 9 Evan Bernhardi, 8 Vincent Roberts (kaptain), 7 Janco Botes, 6 Siya Ncube, 5 Dean Hartman, 4 Janco Pretorius, 3 Tiaan Beneke, 2 Reghard Ernst, 1 Dexter Chiyangwa.
Grey-kollege: 15 Lamla Mgedezi, 14 Benjamin van den Berg, 13 Ethan Adams, 12 Toriq Schambreel, 11 Thristan Maree, 10 Jan-Hendrik van der Linden, 9 Sherwin Buys, 8 AJ Booysen, 7 Steven Muller, 6 Xander Smit, 5 Claude Steyn, 4 Alexi Tyropolis, 3 JG Badenhorst, 2 Tian Fourie, 1 David Hayidakis.
Graeme College opened the 2025 season with a strong 51-17 win over Daniel Pienaar. After mixed results in 2024, they’ll be aiming to make a bigger impact this year. Photo: supplied.
Graeme College will be aiming to finish their annual rugby festival with a flourish when they face St John’s College in Saturday’s finale in Makhanda.
Under coach Jonty van der Meulen, the hosts have been putting in the hard yards for the annual spectacle of schoolboy rugby. A thrilling showdown awaits at 15:30 on the Somerset Field on Saturday.
Looking ahead to the match, Van der Meulen said the event has become much more than just a pre-season fine-tuning opportunity.
“Nowadays, most teams have already played one or two matches before the festival, so it’s become a real platform to set the tone for the second term of school rugby,” he explained.
“This year, we have six returning forwards, which is a big advantage. Last year, we struggled in that area because our pack was quite young.
“One of those players is currently injured, but overall, their experience from last season will be crucial in handling the physical demands of first-team rugby.”
The seasoned forward back is supported by a dynamic but relatively young backline, which includes three players who were part of the national u16 training camp in Stellenbosch last year.
“We don’t yet know how they’ll transition to first-team rugby, as they’re still young, but their talent is undeniable. It’s exciting to have them in the mix,” Van der Meulen noted.
Graeme knows that they must prepare for a serious challenge from St John’s, who are making their debut at the festival.
“They focus on smart, structured rugby, doing the basics exceptionally well,” Van der Meulen said of the Johannesburg school.
“It’s a style that contrasts with the schoolboy rugby we’re used to in the Eastern Cape, so we’ll need to handle the pressure they bring with their disciplined, error-free play.”
Graeme’s connection with St John’s stems from the Eastern Cape school’s participation in the Standard Bank St John’s Easter Rugby Festival, in Johannesburg.
“We’ve built a good relationship with them, and they were keen to join our festival. It’s great to bring in a different style of rugby to complement the strong Eastern Cape teams that traditionally take part,” Van der Meulen said.
St John’s College began their 2025 campaign with a narrow 15-17 defeat against King Edward VII School. (KES). Photo: supplied.
St John’s, meanwhile, are eagerly anticipating the chance to test themselves against top-tier opposition at the festival.
After having been regular participants in the Standard Bank Grey High Festival in Gqeberha, St John’s head of rugby, Katleho Lynch, said the team was eager for a new challenge this year and has been preparing for two highly competitive matches.
“Each of the teams we play will present unique challenges, ” he reckoned. “I’m confident that both teams will stay true to their playing identity and look to apply pressure in key areas of the game.
“We’re looking forward to the opportunity to compete against them.”
Lynch highlighted that the St John’s squad features a blend of experienced players returning from last year and promising younger players stepping up to the senior ranks.
“Our team profile has evolved, allowing us to adopt a different playing style compared to 2024,” he said.
“We have eight returning players from last year’s first team, bringing valuable experience, while the energy and talent of the younger players will help us build on our vision.
“I’m especially excited about the potential of this group and what they can accomplish together.”
1ST XV FIXTURES, SOMERSET FIELD
Thursday, 20 March
09:15 – Port Alfred High vs Mary Waters, 10:30 – Muir vs Otto du Plessis, 11:45 – Cambridge vs St John’s, 13:00 – Hangklip vs Stirling, 14:15 – Pearson vs Queen’s, 15:30 – Graeme v Brandwag
Friday, March 21
09:15 – PJ Olivier vs Mzansi Academy, 10:30 – Woodridge vs Port Rex, 11:45 – Daniel Pienaar vs Union High, 13:00 – Grey High vs Hudson Park, 14:15 – Nico Malan vs Dale, 15:30 – Selborne vs Marlow
Saturday, March 22
09:15 – Cambridge vs Otto du Plessis, 10:30 – Stirling vs Pearson, 11:45 – Gill vs Muir, 13:00 – Queen’s vs Brandwag, 14:15 – St Andrew’s College vs Framesby, 15:30 – Graeme vs St John’s
Die Parkies het verlede jaar se reeks as naaswenners afgesluit, nadat hulle teen Hoërskool Waterkloof in die eindstryd die aftog moes blaas, maar is steeds as die Sportreeks se voorste rugbyskool gekroon danksy die junior spanne se resultate wat saam met dié van die eerste span in berekening gebring is.
In vanjaar se reeks, het Menlopark nog nie een keer minder as 50 punte in ‘n wedstryd aangeteken nie, wat hom ‘n taamlike sterk aanspraakmaker op die titel maak.
Die Parkies sal nietemin verby ‘n gedugte teenstander in Hoërskool Transvalia moet kom vir ‘n tweede hap van die kersiekoek.
Hoewel die span van Vanderbijlpark nog slegs een keer vanjaar in aksie was, teen Hoërskool Middelburg, het hy nietemin beïndruk deur ‘n sterk Middies-span met 28-21 te troef.
Die kragmeting voorlangs behoort oudergewoonte die momentum van die wedstryd te bepaal, met vernaam die die slotstryd tussen Parkies se Keagen Pretorius en Christiaan Liebenberg van Valia wat vir vuurwerke kan sorg. Valia se steelkantflank, Daniel Kazambo, is ook witwarm en sal met ‘n valkoog dopgehou moet word.
Nuus uit Middelburg is dat Cravenweek-loskakel en puntemasjien, Matthew Abbey, weer terugkeer vir die Hoërskool Middelburg se beginspan teen Hoërskool Eldoraigne. Benewens sy akkurate korrelwerk pale toe, bring Abbey heelwat slaankrag op die aanval.
Die Drake het geen veranderinge gemaak aan die span wat vir Hoërskool Piet Retief met 40-34 geklop het nie, dus sal loskopstut, Marnes Prinsloo, en steelkantflank, Justin Meintjies, weer die pap dik aanmaak voorlangs.
Hoërskool Kempton Park is vir die eerste vanjaar uiteindleik voor sy tuisskare in aksie wees, wanneer hy die onvoorspelbare Hoërskool Piet Retief op die Oos-Rand verwelkom. Losskakel, Stian de Villiers, het nie alleen ‘n kritieke rol om te vertolk met sy instinktiewe visie op die aanval nie, maar ook met die stewel, terwyl heelagter, Ben Steyn, groot gevaar inhou vir die span van Mpumalanga met sy teenaanvalle.
Die spanne:
Hoërskool Menlopark t. Hoërskool Transvalia om 17:30 in Kempton Park:
Die Rooi Bulle, wat vanjaar reeds twee van die Noordvaal se groothonde, Hoërskool Dr. EG Jansen en Hoërskool Nelspruit, stert tussen die bene huis toe gestuur het, het na vore getree as ‘n sterk aanspraakmaker op vanjaar se Sportreeks-titel.
Boonop geniet hulle tuisveldvoordeel in Vrydag se halfeindronde wat in Middelburg aangebied word.
Die Klofies gaan egter nie ‘n maklike hekkie wees om oor te kom nie en is self steeds onoorwonne, met seges oor Hoërskool Ben Vorster, in Tzaneen, en Hoërskool Oos-Moot – laasgenoemde ‘n naelskraapse tuisoorwinning van 24-21. Die Rooi Bulle bied hul grootste toets tot dusver vanjaar.
Die vernaamste uitdaging vir die besoekers uit die Jakarandastad is om die Middelburgers se pak te probeer tem. Indien hulle voorlangs die septer kan swaai, sal dit die druk na die Rooi Bulle se agterlyn verplaas.
Die voorspelerstryd sal ongetwyfeld deur die tuisspan se agsteman, Tercuis Bezuidenhout, en Waterkloof-haker, Ruan Jacobs, aangevuur geword. Albei is uiters ervare en het verlede jaar reeds sleutelrolle in hul onderskeie spanne se suksesverhale vertolk. In die skrums kan die vonke spat tussen Jedri Swart, die Pretorianers se vaskopstut, en Janco Botha, wat op loskop vir die tuisspan sak.
Voorts kan die tweestryd tussen die stelskoppers, Klofies se kaptein, Ronan Bastiaanse, en WJ Enslin van Middelburg, bepalend wees. Dit is op stuk van sake uitkloprugby, met elke punt wat goud werd is.
Hoërskool Oos-Moot kom teen die krag van Hoërskool Nelspruit te staan. Die Rhinos het gewys waartoe hulle in staat is verlede naweek teen EG Jansen, deur ‘n naelbytstryd met 24-22 deur te trek danksy ‘n uitstaande vertoning deur losskakel, John Duncan. Duncan sal weereens ‘n gevaarman op die aanval wees.
Goeie nuus uit Oos-Moot se kamp is dat sy Cravenweek-senter, Dewron Afford, op die plaasvervanger bank is. Afford, ‘n sleutelfiguur vir die span van die Moot, sal straks vroeër eerder as later deur die Pretorianers se afrigtingspan betrek word.
EG Jansen is steeds soekende na ‘n eerste oorwinning in vanjaar se reeks. Hy sal egter moet uithaal en wys indien hy hoop om Hoërskool Ben Vorster die loef af te steek. Die Buffels het teen verwagtinge in beïndruk as een van die minder bekende spanne in die liga en ‘n sege oor die Boksburgers sal nóg ‘n reuse pluimpie in die hoed van die span van Tzaneen wees.
Die spanne:
HTS Middelburg t. Hoërskool Waterkloof om 16:10 in Middelburg:
HTS Middelburg: 15 WJ Enslin, 14 Kwanele Mkhize, 13 Jacques Greyling, 12 Johnny Dos Santos, 11 CJ Muller, 10 Nathan Janse van Vuuren, 9 Reece Botha, 8 Tercius Bezuidenhout, 7 Ethan de Kock, 6 Dewan Coetzee, 5 Griffin Devonish, 4 Janco Aucamp, 3 Marinus Oberholzer, 2 Hanro Terblanche, 1 Janco Botha.
