As the schools’ rugby programme draws towards a close, several high-profile derbies are bubbling over in the Eastern Province, setting the stage for a fascinating day of action on Saturday.
Headlining the list is the annual clash between Grey High and Selborne College in which the boys from KuGompo City will cross the Fish River for a battle that has all the ingredients of another classic encounter.
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The current season’s records reveal a superior record for Grey, whose defeats have come against four powerhouses: Paul Roos Gimnasium, Wynberg Boys’ High, Affies, and Grey College.
Selborne, by contrast, has lost eight of 17 matches, but both sides know that past performances will count for little once the whistle goes on Saturday.
Led by powerful centre Ciaran Killian, Grey will aim to establish dominance up front and provide a platform for their dangerous backline. With hooker Micah Wessels often at the heart of their forward effort, the battle for supremacy in the pack could prove crucial.
Selborne will miss the composed influence of Riley Hansel at flyhalf. Nonetheless, they possess enough attacking weapons to trouble the Grey defence, with the elusive fullback Edward Malinzi a particular danger.
The rivalry has produced a remarkably even recent record, with the schools sharing the spoils in their last four meetings. Grey won at home in 2022 and 2024, while Selborne claimed victories in 2023 and last year.
That record is a clear indication that even the most astute critic would struggle to predict the outcome with any certainty.
In Kariega, they do not come much bigger than Brandwag against Daniel Pienaar, particularly after the DP Tigers edged a blockbuster encounter 23-22 earlier this year.
It does not get any easier for Brandwag in the away fixture, where the Tigers have a habit of rising to the occasion.
Brandwag showed considerable character when they fought back against Nico Malan last weekend, only to concede a late penalty try in a battling 12-26 defeat. With powerful prop Francu Fouche often leading the charge and Rezanio Petrus a big running threat in the backline, they will present a formidable challenge for the home side.
The Tigers have endured a mixed bag of results this season, but have shown enough skill and grit to ensure that no opponent can afford to take them lightly.
If they can match Brandwag up front, they have enough attacking talent behind the pack to create the sort of pressure that brought them memorable victories over Hudson Park and Pearson earlier in the season.
Pearson, meanwhile, will also be in action against Parel Vallei, while the considerable depth available to Graeme College should give them the edge when they face Muir, despite missing four players who will be in action in the U18 International Series.
With the season winding down, the importance of local bragging rights should ensure that Saturday’s derbies provide plenty of intensity, regardless of the teams’ respective records.
Teams:
Grey High: 15 Michael Nyandoro, 14 Noah Mbizi, 13 Sibulele Ngebulana, 12 Ciaran Killian, 11 Michael Oosthuizen, 10 Nathan Trytsman, 9 Ryan Swarbrick, 8 Zola Yeye, 7 Cole Bennett, 6 Blake Parker, 5 Caleb Harvey, 4 Jean Nel, 3 Juan Potgieter, 2 Micah Wessels, 1 Daniel Naude.
Selborne College: 15 Edward Malinzi, 14 Sabelo Vuso, 13 Iviwe Kabale, 12 Aaron James, 11 Zwelethu Nojaholo, 10 Imibongo Magwevana, 9 Connor Fowles, 8 Travis Enslin, 7 Mbono Gqoboka, 6 Lwandle Bacela, 5 Mozesh van der Byl, 4 Rosh Els, 3 Aza Matimba, 2 Reece Rassmussen, 1 Luthango Ngese.
Brandwag: 15 Rezanio Petrus, 14 Waymen Sinden, 13 Clevelon Deysel, 12 Dewandre Witbooi, 11 Darren Gardener, 10 Carriston Jantjies, 9 Egan George, 8 Hannes Klopper, 7 Divan Kotze, 6 Erik Rudman, 5 Austin de Wet, 4 Luan Greeff, 3 Casper Steenkamp, 2 Errol te Brugge, 1 Francu Fouche.
Daniel Pienaar: 15 Raqiel Jaftha, 14 Sibabalwe Kopisani, 13 Cody Fleurs, 12 Cariston Mapoe, 11 Chibuzo Bosco, 10 Jade Miles, 9 Corbelle Claasen, 8 Stiaan Coertze, 7 Juvane Okwara, 6 Akhilomzi Sizani, 5 Thobani Mose, 4 Etto Mapapu, 3 Warwick Fredericks, 2 Morne Kritzinger, 1 Keanu Muller.
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 Akho Tonjeni, 6 Iviwe Mshubeki, 5 Andrew Muir, 4 Ben-Francois du Toit, 3 Olo Jaca, 2 Athi Manyati, 1 Bagcine Ngengele.
Pearson: 15 Keano Beling, 14 Sebastian Playdon, 13 Elimiyo Tiyo, 12 Siphe Myataza, 11 Lili Giyose, 10 Riegerdt Oosthuizen, 9 Kadin Kretzmann, 8 Liya Maswana, 7 Matthew de Klerk, 6 Henrico Bodenstein, 5 Stefan Kapp, 4 Alexander Serfontein, 3 Dewald Niemand, 2 Nathan Heyns, 1 Joshua Pienaar.
