Hoërskool Robertson will attempt to become only the second team to defeat Hoërskool Charlie Hofmeyr in 2026.
The Ceres locals will target a victory to avenge last season’s 0-20 defeat at home. They kick off at 14:00 in the Robertson Valley in a King Price Derby Series match-up.
Catch all the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools (www.supersportschools.com), or on DStv Channel 216, which will show a delayed broadcast at 18:00.
Robbies‘ head coach, Heino Warnich, gave SuperSport School News insight into the derby: “We are both traditional rugby schools rooted in strong farming communities,” he said.
“Pride, tradition, and community all play major roles in this tie. This year we are playing each other for the 33rd time, which shows the long history and importance of the fixture.”
This season, Charlie Hofmeyr has won 11 out of 12 matches, largely due to their potent attacking play. Outside backs Shandley Burrows and Zephenith Sass have been in terrific form, so the chances of blanking the visitors again appear to be extremely slim. After all, they’ve averaged 33 points per match.
Apart from the sharp cutting edge of their outside backs, Charlies have played free-flowing rugby. Six different players scored tries last weekend in a 41-27 win over Hoërskool Montagu.
Their try scorers included eighthman Joshua Selders, scrumhalf Ashley Reitz, and flyhalf Randall Muller. All three are hard workers in their respective roles, but their contributions are not often seen among the try scorers.
Coach Warnich said part of the reason for Robertson’s successes this season has been good leadership. “Hooker Jaydrian van Staden is captain. He reads the game well, so he’s able to call the shots and get the best from his peers.
“However, there are others who walk the path with him, peers such as eighthman Victor Readien, and also the Van Niekerk brothers [Juywadan and Jaydan].”
While their forwards will need to win possession up front, Robbies will also aim to get their backline moving, with the aforementioned Van Niekerk brothers their key players. Jayden, also known as Trailer, plays at flyhalf, while Juwaydan, also known as Venter, is right alongside him, at inside centre.
Charlie Hofmeyr heads into the clash as the favourite, but derbies are seldom predictable.
Teams:
Hoërskool Robertson: 15 Junaid Adendorff, 14 Jo-Haylin Jansen, 13 Gaywen Philander, 12 Juwaydan (Venter) van Niekerk, 11 Braydon Joseph, 10 Jaydan (Trailer) van Niekerk, 9 Dihego Braaf, 8 Victor Readien, 7 Brendon Smith, 6 De Wet Bruwer, 5 Ernst Roux, 4 Dirk Mouton, 3 Michael Jordaan, 2 Jaydrian van Staden (captain), 1 Kallie Joubert.
Hoërskool Charlie Hofmeyr (likely): 15 Shandley Burrows, 14 Zephenith Sass, 13 Chris-Will du Toit, 12 Charl du Toit, 11 Henry Willemse, 10 Randall Muller, 9 Ashley Reitz, 8 Joshua Selders, 7 Jordan Philander, 6 Louis Reynolds, 5 Heinrich Fourie, 4 Dewald Jaars, 3 Joshua Swarts, 2 Ignatius van der Merwe, 1 Lourens Nel.
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