Hoërskool Strand has moved their perennial try-scoring captain and eighthman Rohan Bezuidenhout to inside centre for Saturday’s showdown at Hoërskool Melkbosstrand, which kicks off at 15:00.
He scored two tries in a recent 31-33 loss to Hoërskool Hermanus. That was Strand’s second successive defeat, so they’ll be highly motivated to win and end the season in style.
Melkies are in a similar boat, but their losing streak is four matches. Depending on whether they win or lose, the complexion the result puts on their season will be very different.
Their captain and eighthman, Ethan Loncq, is back from injury and will run out for his school for the last time, along with wing Patric van Niekerk, who will earn his 50th cap on the day.
Arno Visser scored the hosts’ only points in their 5-10 defeat at the hands of Milnerton High last weekend. He played as inside centre then, and will be trusted to produce his magic at flyhalf on this occasion.
Melkbosstrand’s Beuran Geduld and Strand’s Joshua Human will make for an interesting contrast and contest between the loose forwards. In the set-piece battle, Strand’s Schalk Beukes and Melkies’ O’Ryan Crouse should produce a telling duel in the lineouts.
Hoërskool Brackenfell started their season with three consecutive losses, but they kept their heads down, and their hard work has been rewarded. They’ve won six, drawn one, and lost six in their 13 matches since then.
There’s plenty at stake on Saturday when they take on Hoërskool Tygerberg, a team they defeated 18-9 last year. Brakkies are celebrating their 50th anniversary, and a win over Tygerberg would truly get the party going. The kickoff is at 13:00.
A recent 22-15 win over Hoërskool Melkbosstrand halted a six-game losing streak for the Tigers.
Brakkies‘ captain and fullback Ruan van Tonder may be at the back, but he will lead his side by stepping forward and setting the example he wants his troops to follow. He not only serves as the last line of defence, but is also a solid finisher from maneuvers set up by flyhalf Yusuf Hannibal.
Neither team has produced a vintage season, but a win in the last game would heal some of the wounds sustained along the way.
Teams:
Hoërskool Strand: 15 Henry Hess, 14 Caleb Reeding, 13 Preston-Lee Tobias, 12 Rohan Bezuidenhout (captain), 11 Haydriane Pieterson, 10 Leathan Lewis, 9 Waldo Newton, 8 Ruben van der Westhuizen, 7 Joshua Lourens, 6 Josh Human, 5 Schalk Beukes, 4 DC Fourie, 3 Brand Nel, 2 Timothy van der Bergh, 1 Duane Lombard.
Hoërskool Melkbosstrand: 15 Craig Solomons, 14 Enrique Kastoor, 13 Sean Cooper, 12 Zandrich Nel, 11 Patric van Niekerk, 10 Arno Visser, 9 Cole Japhta, 8 Ethan Loncq (captain), 7 Beuran Geduld, 6 Leslie Smyth, 5 Kevin Wessels, 4 O’Ryan Crouse, 3 Callum Canning, 2 Darius G. Prinsloo, 1 Joshua Cloete.
Hoërskool Tygerberg: No information received from Tygerberg.
Hoërskool Brackenfell: 15 Ruan van Tonder (captain), 14 Derose Manya, 13 Michael Buys, 12 Juandré Labushagne, 11 Migile Carelse, 10 Yusuf Hannibal, 9 Dayron Swart, 8 Joshua May, 7 Hanré van Dijk, 6 MC Muller, 5 Corné van Dijk, 4 Manya Prayer, 3 Joshua Wallace, 2 Joshua Defreitas, 1 Wian Bronkhorst.
