Selborne College and Hudson Park will be eager to hit the ground running when they meet in a titanic schools rugby clash at Selborne in KuGompo City on Saturday. Kick-off is at 14:10.
Both teams will be refreshed after the school holiday break, but their challenge will be rediscovering the cohesion needed to overcome quality opposition after several weeks without competitive action.
When the second term drew to a close, Selborne had built up an impressive run of five successive victories, and coach Roy Godfrey will be hoping his side can pick up from where they left off.
After suffering a narrow four-point defeat to Dale College in May, the East London outfit responded by going on a winning run that has included notable victories over Queen’s College and St Andrew’s College.
With scrumhalf Connor Fowles directing play and flyhalf Riley Hansel‘s reliable boot providing control and territory, Selborne has plenty of weapons at its disposal.
However, they know they will face a stern examination against an energetic Hudson Park side, which has also enjoyed an excellent campaign, highlighted by victories over Framesby, Kingswood College, and Dale College.
Last year’s thrilling 30-26 Selborne victory serves as a reminder of just how closely matched the city rivals are.
Hudson will need to produce an accurate all-round performance against a balanced Selborne outfit. Any lapses in defence or discipline are likely to be punished by the hosts’ dangerous attacking runners.
As the school rugby season enters its final stretch, several other fixtures also catch the eye.
At City Lords in Makhanda, Kingswood College will seek to underline their strong credentials when they host Stirling High, with kick-off at 14:30.
The home side has lost only three of 14 matches this season. While their defence has shown occasional vulnerabilities, their attacking firepower should be enough to secure victory.
Dale College and Queen’s College travel to KuGompo City to face Ooskus Gimnasium and Cambridge, respectively. Although both visitors will start as favourites, they will know there is little room for complacency against opponents eager to claim a major scalp.
TEAMS
Selborne College: 15 Edward Malinzi, 14 Zweletu Njoholo, 13 Iviwe Kabale, 12 Aaron James, 11 Sabelo Vuso, 10 Riley Hansel, 9 Connor Fowles, 8 Travis Enslin, 7 Rosh Els, 6 Lwandle Bacela, 5 Mozesh van der Byl, 4 Ayden Freitag, 3 Daniel Naude, 2 Reece Rassmussen, 1 Luthango Ngese
Hudson Park: 15 Zearan Booysen, 14 Cwenga Bityo, 13 Likho Gidi, 12 Athan Gravett, 11 Masibulele Kwakwini, 10 De’Angelo Snayers, 9 Zizibele Mtongwana, 8 Yimani Matiwane, 7 Phindokuhle Mdlalana, 6 Sisonke Majola, 5 Hlumelo Gobile (captain), 4 Tadana Gope, 3 Lithemba Mpini, 2 Mesuli Ntama, 1 Khanya Mazula.
Kingswood College: 15 Kungawo Badli, 14 Samkelo Stemela Charlo Connon, 13 Luke de Villiers, 12 James Mackenzie, 11 Chad Roodt, 10 Christopher Zimmerman, 9 Iminathi Ngcese, 8 Luniko Marivate, 7 Josh Mackenzie, 6 Sizo Klaas, 5 Hayden Holt, 4 Sandi Peter, 3 Junior Ndlazi, 2 Charl du Toit, 1 Sithenkosi Qabaka
Ooskus Gimnasium: 15 Kwagga Liebenberg, 14 Kellan Muller, 13 Juju Tantsi, 12 Daniel van Rooyen, 11 Xavier Smith, 10 Ethan Jansen, 9 Sebastian le Roux, 8 Andrew Deacon, 7 Eben Backer, 6 Cole van der Merwe, 5 Zack Stassen, 4 Tenda Saunyama, 3 Leon Muller, 2 Tiaan Frazer, 1 Gustaf Brink.
