Having set the pace for much of the Eastern Cape schools rugby season, Graeme College will be aware that they face one of their sternest examinations when they host Pearson High on Somerset Field in Makhanda on Saturday at 14:30.
The strength of the Graeme squad was reflected in the number of players selected for the SA Schools and SA Schools A teams following the FNB Craven Week in Gqeberha. Centre Erin Nelson and scrumhalf Luke Doyle were named in the SA Schools team, while Akho Tonjeni and Lucritia Magau earned places in the SA Schools A squad.
Beyond their obvious individual talent, Graeme’s backline has developed impressive cohesion throughout the season. Led by the influential Nelson, the hosts have repeatedly shown an instinctive understanding of each other’s running lines, allowing them to unlock even the strongest defences.
Nelson’s elusive footwork and vision have laid the platform for prolific finishers Doyle and Magau to cross the tryline regularly, making Graeme one of the most dangerous attacking teams in the province.
That is the challenge confronting Pearson this weekend, with the visitors knowing anything less than a disciplined defensive performance will make life extremely difficult.
Pearson, however, has proved they are capable of rising to the occasion. Guided by the composed halfback pairing of Keano Beling and Kadin Kretzmann, they have fond memories of Somerset Field after upsetting St Andrew’s College 22-17 during the Wildeklawer Graeme Rugby Festival in March.
They will need to reproduce that level of performance against a Graeme side that has enjoyed an outstanding campaign, winning 13 of their 15 matches. Their only defeat came against Selborne College, while they were held to a draw by Nico Malan.
Another intriguing clash awaits in Kariega, where Muir College hosts their traditional rivals, Brandwag.
Brandwag sneaked a 26-25 win in the first meeting between the teams, underlining just how evenly matched they are.
Muir will be determined to reverse that result on home soil and, as is often the case in the opening weeks of the third term, the side that settles quicker after the school holidays and limits its errors is likely to gain the upper hand.
In Humansdorp, Nico Malan will start as favourites against DF Malherbe, while Daniel Pienaar should have enough all-round quality to account for the visiting Andrew Rabie.
Squads
Graeme College: 15 Lucritia Magau, 14 Asakhe Ranuga, 13 Erin Nelson, 12 Torres Fourie, 11 Selunathi Mfundisi, 10 Ibenathi Kondile, 9 Luke Doyle, 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 High: 15 Henrico Ferreira, 14 Sebastian Playdon, 13 Elimiyo Tiyo, 12 Hanro Botes, 11 Arno van Tonder, 10 Keano Beling, 9 Kadin Kretzmann, 8 Henrico Bodenstein, 7 Gustav Pegram, 6 Siphe Myataza, 5 Stefan Kapp, 4 Liya Maswana, 3 Dewald Niemand, 2 Nathan Heyns, 1 Joshua Pienaar.
