SACS flyhalf Jake Dave scored 24 points in last week’s heartbreaking, last-gasp 34-38 loss to Paul Roos Gimnasium. The home side’s backline general will be a key player when they face Rondebosch Boys’ High at 12:30 on Saturday.
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Having narrowly won 19-17 the first time they met, in May, the visitors know a stiff challenge awaits them on Memorial-A Field. Last weekend, at SACS, Paul Roos engineered a late escape to come away with the win.
Rondebosch hooker Kwaza Gobingca is dangerous off the back of the rolling maul, or within five metres of the try line, while lock Sebastian Vermeulen plays an important role as an enforcer in the tight five, and a solid lineout option.
SACS lock Cameron Hirst should test Vermeulen at the lineouts. Prop Qiraan Hermans will be difficult to deal with at scrum time.
Rondebosch has proved how clinical they can be in the opposition 22-metre area all season long. The versatile Caleb Bell has been lethal, whether running out at left wing or at scrumhalf. Interestingly enough, he’s been picked at fullback on this occasion.
The hosts can’t afford him any space. A moment of individual brilliance could be all that stands between victory and defeat in a fierce rivalry.
DF Akademie fullback Pieter Delport was clutch from the kicking tee in their 31-27 win over Hoërskool Punt last weekend, picking up 11 points from four conversions and a penalty.
Hoërskool Brackenfell visits DF for a 12:30 kickoff on Saturday. Brakkies recently cantered to a 54-5 victory over Monument Park High. They also scored more than a half-century of points when they defeated Bosmansdam 53-24 in their previous outing.
DF props Cor Hoving and Alu Joko are effective ball carriers, and largely match their loose forwards in work rate. Brakkies may find their breakdowns need an extra man or two to block off the big guys from stealing possession.
Brackenfall has a pretty hefty pack, too. Lock Manya Prayer is a dominant enforcer. He and prop Joshua Wallace set the tone with their controlled aggression in defence.
Last season, they powered to a 61-17 victory at home. As hosts, DF will be counting on making it a tighter contest this time out. Brakkies will feel confident that they can continue their winning ways, even on opposition soil.
Inside centre Brad Brown is an explosive ball carrier who broke the line on three occasions for a hat-trick in Hoërskool Parel Vallei’s 52-12 victory against Hoërskool Melkbosstrand last weekend.
Hoërskool Tygerberg will need to be prepared for the Bulldogs’ dangerman when the teams meet at 12:10 in Somerset West. They previously met in May, with PV running out 42-14 winners.
Brown, fullback Shudley Rhoda, outside centre Owen Cockcroft, and the pair of Aydin February and Raphael von Loeper on the wings, were all on the scoresheet in that recent Melkbosstrand game. The home backline is in peak form ahead of their first home match since the end of May.
PV also has a reliable kicker in flyhalf Stephen Niemann, which is a big factor if the battle goes down to the wire. The Bulldogs, given their convincing victory earlier this season, will feel they have the firepower to stop the Tigers again.
TEAMS:
SACS: 15 Nahum Koen, 14 Josh Gorgens, 13 James Sale, 12 Dayyaan Conrad, 11 William Reeves, 10 Jake Dave, 9 Danny Draai, 8 Stephan Kruger, 7 Dominic Raisbeck, 6 Kwakanya Gobe, 5 Cameron Hirst, 4 RJ Cunningham, 3 Qiraan Hermans, 2 Zac Dall (captain), 1 Luca Liebenberg.
Rondebosch Boys’ High: 15 Caleb Bell, 14 Jayden Wyngaard, 13 Janu Pretorius, 12 Kelebogile Nkwana, 11 Ephraim Mangunga, 10 Eathon Williams, 9 Daniel Arendse, 8 James Pinnock, 7 Ben Gray, 6 Linakho Mehloakulu, 5 Bertus Versfeld, 4 Sebastian Vermeulen, 3 Anesu Muswandigere, 2 Kwaza Gobingca, 1 Finn Watermeyer.
DF Akademie (likely): 15 Pieter Delport, 14 Tarquin Newman, 13 Dylan Thompson, 12 Zuan Lottering, 11 Jayden Plaaitjies, 10 Joshua Simon, 9 Sinalo Kethelo, 8 Juan le Roux, 7 Gerhard Groenewald, 6 Sebastian Botha, 5 Salo Schoeman, 4 Christo Fourie, 3 Cor Hoving, 2 Meyer Brits (captain), 1 Alu Joko.
Hoërskool Brackenfell (likely): 15 Ruan van Tonder, 14 Damian Kruger, 13 Michael Buys, 12 Jordan Engelbrecht, 11 Migile Carelse, 10 Yusuf Hannibal, 9 Hayden Fortuin, 8 Seth Braaf, 7 Derose Manya, 6 Jason Joseph, 5 Hanré van Dijk, 4 Manya Prayer, 3 Joshua Wallace, 2 Joshua Defreitas, 1 Eckard Esterhuyse.
Hoërskool Parel Vallei: 15 Shudley Rhoda, 14 Aydin February, 13 Owen Cockraft, 12 Bradley Brown, 11 Raphael von Loeper, 10 Stephan Niemann, 9 Shaan Varnfield, 8 Riley Capes, 7 Marcé Els, 6 Ethan Ramos, 5 Keaton Baird, 4 Herman Kriel, 3 Cayden Rautenbach, 2 Luke Terblanche,1 Bjan Theron.
Hoërskool Tygerberg (likely): No information received from Tygerberg.
