Dale College and Queen’s College will renew one of the oldest rivalries in Eastern Cape schools rugby when they meet in a King Price Derby Series match at Dale’s “Graveyard” in Qonce on Saturday.
Both sides will know there is little to separate them, despite the contrasting paths their seasons have taken.
Catch the action LIVE on DStv Channel 216 and on SuperSport Schools.
It’s the second clash of the season between the teams, with Dale holding the bragging rights after their earlier victory at the Queen’s Reunion.
Dale will also be keen to bounce back after suffering a setback against Selborne College a week ago in East London.
Despite that, the Dalians have enjoyed one of their most successful seasons in recent years, having also beaten Selborne in their first match, while Queen’s has recovered strongly after an inconsistent start to their campaign.
Queen’s coach Clinton Loest said his team’s season turned around midway through the second term. “We had a slow start to the season with a mixed bag of results,” he admitted. “Early on, we secured a brilliant win against the highly ranked Noordheuwel team at the KES Easter Festival, which was certainly a highlight.
“We then had disappointing losses to Dale at our Reunion and Selborne in East London by two points. The momentum shifted midway through the second term with good wins over Hudson Park High, St Andrew’s College, and Port Rex.
“Another highlight was the return-match victory over Selborne College on the Rec two weeks ago,” Loest added. Queen’s powered to a 55-15 victory in that clash.
Loest knows, however, that Saturday’s challenge will be particularly demanding.
“Dale is one of our oldest rivals. We have had a longstanding relationship and share mutual respect,” he stated. “They have had a brilliant season and will be a massive challenge for our team on Saturday.
“Their team is littered with very good players, and we will need to be at our absolute best to be competitive.”
Fullback Caleb Smith and flyhalf Sonwabise Dyani stand out as the playmakers, but, in truth, Dale is packed across the board with competitors ready to make an impact.
Queen’s, who will be without their star wing Ncutu Kepe, who is representing SA U18 in the U18 International Series, will be determined not to repeat the mistakes that allowed Dale to seize control of their first encounter.
“In our Reunion match, we allowed Dale to get away to a brilliant start, and we had to play catch-up for the rest of the game,” Loest said. “We had a very good second half and fell just short in the end.
“On Saturday, we can’t allow them to build a lead as we did at our Reunion, and then play catch-up. We need to be accurate in our execution and defend very well, as Dale has multiple attacking threats.”
Dale assistant coach Grant Griffith said the victory over Queen’s was among the highlights of a campaign that has delivered excellent results.
“It’s been our best season results-wise for many years,” he said. “The highlights were our victories over our main rivals, Queen’s, away, and the Reunion win over Selborne.”
Despite Dale’s home advantage and their impressive form, Griffith expects another demanding contest.
“Playing Queen’s is always a very tough fixture, but both schools have extreme respect for each other,” he said. “When the game starts, it’s basically a Test match.
“We started very well in the first game, racing into a dominant lead, but Queen’s came back strongly, and we managed to pull off a great victory.”
Dale will look to the attacking approach that has served them well this season.
“We will need to play to our strengths, which is moving the ball around the field, and lift our defence,” Griffith said. “We will also have to play for the full 70 minutes and not relax at all.”
With Dale seeking to complete a season double and Queen’s determined to level the score, another fiercely contested derby is in store at the Graveyard.
Teams:
Dale College: 15 Caleb Smith, 14 Oluhle Skom, 13 Achumile George, 12 Sophakama Zamile, 11 Yamkela Molose, 10 Sonwabise Dyani, 9 Usiphile Myeki, 8 Kungawo Jaca, 7 Ulikhaya Stuurman, 6 Liyabona Mayikana, 5 Xhamla Nyobo, 24 Lihleli Makibi, 3 Sanele Bistoli, 2 Okuhle Fihle (captain), 1 Azole Sodlaka.
Queen’s College: 15 Inga Mnunu, 14 Sinqobile Xhentsa, 16 Mthokozisi Mbambo, 12 Zinzolwethu Lali, 11 Charlton van Heerden, 10 Bongo Nyakaza, 9 Akhona Mzamo, 8 Zimi Deleki, 7 Kuhle Gidana, 6 Sivuyise Mnyimba, 5 Carlo Davids, 4 Ethan Oosthuizen, 3 Ahlume Gqetywa (captain), 2 Nande Thiwani, 1 Zeacke Mata.
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