Despite a shorter fixture list this weekend, the Eastern Cape schools rugby programme is packed with compelling derbies that promise a fittingly intense finish to the second term.
In Makhanda, St Andrew’s College will be desperate to bounce back from last week’s setback against Kingswood College, but face a stern challenge from a confident Dale College side.
Across town, Graeme College will be equally motivated when they host Union High, seeking revenge after last year’s defeat to the Graaff-Reinet outfit.
The spotlight also falls on KuGompo City, where Selborne College conclude their home programme against Stirling High, while Hudson Park welcomes a competitive Port Rex side in another eagerly anticipated derby.
The clash between St Andrew’s and Dale on Lower Field has all the ingredients of a classic encounter. Both teams favour a direct, physical approach up front while possessing enough pace and skill out wide to punish any defensive lapses.
The season has been a frustrating one for St Andrew’s. They will rue their sluggish start against Kingswood last weekend, which left them trailing 0-26 at halftime before eventually going down 10-29. Several of their defeats have come by narrow margins, leaving coach Jonny Mallett emphasising that consistency over the full 70 minutes will be crucial.
Halfbacks David Chorley and Ethan Hayes will be tasked with controlling territory and tempo, while centres Qhawe Madikizela and Caleb Pennington will need to close down the space available to Dale’s dangerous attacking backs.
Dale arrives with confidence after producing several strong performances this season. They showed their array of skills when they outclassed Marlow last month and will back themselves to challenge the hosts physically while aiming to exploit opportunities in broken play.
At Graeme College, the hosts will be eager to regain bragging rights against Union High after suffering a disappointing loss in Graaff-Reinet last year. Graeme will be missing some of their Craven Week players, so it will be a test of their squad depth against a Union side which exhibited great energy at the Graeme Festival in March.
Union’s ability to maintain structure and capitalise on the opposition’s mistakes could prove decisive in what could develop into a tightly contested encounter.
In East London, Selborne will aim to maintain the standards that have made the side one of the province’s standout teams this season. They have influential captain and scrumhalf Connor Fowles back at the base of the scrum, and their reputation for clinical finishing will make them the favourite against a spirited Stirling outfit.
Just a few kilometres away, Hudson Park faces a stern examination against Port Rex. The hosts have enjoyed an encouraging season, highlighted by their 27-26 win over Dale, but Port Rex has built a reputation for their physicality and fighting spirit.
With local pride on the line, spectators can expect a fiercely contested battle from the opening whistle.
At Thornhill, just outside Gqeberha, Woodridge will need to lift their game to the next level to have any chance of holding the potent Kingswood outfit.
Squads:
Graeme College: 15 Selunathi Mfundisi, 14 Asakhe Ranuga, 13 Athenkosi Mukume, 12 Torres Fourie, 11 Elgin Fanton, 10 Ibenathi Kondile, 9 Thurston Williams, 8 Lidwala Maliti, 7 Nickolas Cock, 6 Iviwe Mshubeki, 5 Andrew Muir, 4 Ben-Francois du Toit, 3 Olo Jaca, 2 Athi Manyati, 1 Luyolo Mpalala.
Union High: 15 Similo Mvandaba, 14 Ronan Ewers, 13 Qhama Solomon, 12 Elvandre Meyer, 11 Josh Arends, 10 Leander Kraai, 9 Imminathi Koneit, 8 Calum Jacobs, 7 Liso Booi, 6 Sibabalwe Mbutye, 5 Cody Slater, 4 Masixole Bhayi, 3 Maqhawe Norman, 2 Muhammed Kazi, 1 Athayanda Mahlati
Selborne College: 15 Edward Malinzi, 14 Zweletu Njoholo, 13 Iviwe Kabale, 12 Aaron James, 11 Sabelo Vuso, 10 Riley Hansel, 9 Connor Fowles, 8 Travis Enslin, 7 Daniel Rushmere, 6 Lwandle Bacela, 5 Mozesh van der Byl, 4 Rosh Els, 3 Daniel Naude, 2 Reece Rassmussen, 1 Luthango Ngese
St Andrew’s College: 15 Will Stevens, 14 Max de Wet, 13 Qhawe Madikizela, 12 Caleb Pennington, 11 Michael Fowlds, 10 David Chorley, 9 Ethan Hayes, 8 James Badenhorst, 7 Warrick Campbell, 6 Kyle Schwechheimer, 5 Mark Ewing, 4 Harry Horwood, 3 Entle Ngcaba, 2 Ross Faber, 1 Stuart Stern
Hudson Park: 15 Zearan Booysen, 14 Cwenga Bityo, 13 Likho Gidi, 12 Athan Gravett, 11 Masibulele Kwakwini, 10 De’Angelo Snayers, 9 Zizibele Mtongwana, 8 Yimani Matiwane, 7 Phindokuhle Mdlalana, 6 Sisonke Majola, 5 Hlumelo Gobile (captain), 4 Tadana Gope, 3 Lithemba Mpini, 2 Mesuli Ntama, 1 Manyano Mpendu.
Kingswood: 15 Samkelo Sam, 14 Steven Malherbe, 13 Luke de Villiers, 12 Chad Roodt, 11 Charlo Connon, 10 James Mackenzie, 9 Matt de Villiers, 8 Luniko Marivate, 7 Josh Mackenzie, 6 Sizo Klaas, 5 Hayden Holt, 4 Sandi Peter, 3 Junior Ndlazi, 2 Charl du Toit, 1 Sithenkosi Qabaka.
