Middelburg look to overcome Transvalia to secure playoff spot in SDC Noordvaal Cup
Middelburg will look to take advantage of their home ground advantage to overcome a strong Transvalia side to secure a spot in the playoffs of the SDC Noordvaal Cup Plate-division.
Middelburg managed to overcome a spirited Montana side in their victory of 19-17 last week. The side from Mpumalanga were behind at the break but fought back to claim a victory which meant they moved to fourth place.
Middies posses a very strong pack and will look to get the upper hand in the scrum like they’ve done the for most of the season. Wandisa Mthobeni has been a menace at lock with his imposing physicality and presence at ruck time.
The lock has also made a habit of crossing the whitewash for his side and gaining valuable meters with ball in hand. He will be backed up by the big men in the front row Tebogo Nkosi (tight head) and Fumani Chauke (hooker) who’ve been instrumental in the Middies’ scrum as well as impressive on defence.
At the back, Luke Geldenhuys, will be one to look out for as he thrives on attacking the defences with his storming runs, getting over the advantage line more often than not.
Transvalia will undoubtedly bring the physicality upfront with hooker, Junior van Wyngaardt, leading the charge. Van Wyngaardt has been in tremendous form thus far and can be seen throwing his body around and announcing his presence at ruck time and on defence.
It will be an interesting battle between the two backlines with Duan du Toit, taking charge in his familiar position at flyhalf.
Du Toit has been impressive from the kicking tee and possesses good vision on attack, bringing the danger man, Siya Khambula, into play at outside centre. Khambula has continued to impress with his good running lines and immense strength through in the tackle situation on attack, getting his team across the advantage line.
Klerksdorp will cross swords with Zwartkop when the meet in their SDC Noordvaal Cup Plate clash on Saturday.
The home side is still in search of their first victory of the competition after falling short 33-22 against HTS Middelburg last week. Klersdorp will look to the ever-impressive outside centre, Lebo Wageng, and flyer on the outside Papino Maluleke to provide the necessary empathise and flair to overcome Zwarries.
Zwartkop will look to get back to winning ways after their loss against Kempton. The Zwarries impressed against the men from Kempton and it seems that the side from Pretoria has started to gain some momentum towards the latter part of the season. Danilson Metcalfe has been remarkable out wide and will it be intriguing to see the battle between him and his opposite number, Maluleke.
The Teams:
Middelburg vs Transvalia in Middelburg:
Hoërskool Middelburg: Not received.
Transvalia: 15 Daniel Grobler, 14 Zintle Motsomai, 13 Siya Khambula, 12 Brandonlee Smit, 11 Ruben Claasen, 10 Duan du Tiot, 9 Anro Nagel, 8 Anro Labuschagne, 7 Xander Mcniel, 6 Wynand Stols, 5 Dane Beytel, 4 Vincent Britz, 3 Stiaan Breedt, 2 Junior van Wyngaardt, 1 Arne Botes.
Klerskdorp vs Wesvalia at 12:30 in Klerksdorp:
Klerksdorp: 15 Cohan Witbooi, 14 Brink van Wielligh, 13 Lebogang Wageng, 12 Leonard Bevan, 11 Papino Maluleke, 10 Decon Loots, 9 Izak Nienaber, 8 HJ Erasmus, 7 Pedri Snyman, 6 Kobus de Waal, 5 Pieter Kriel, 4 Heinrich Hovener, 3 Liam Pretorius, 2 Janu de Wet, 1 Juan-dre Botha.
Zwartkop: 15 Declan Grobler, 14 Denilson Metcalfe, 13 Kyle Blignaut, 12 Zander Farmer, 11 Milton Naude, 10 Waldo Smith, 9 Xavier Rabie, 8 Ian van der Westhuizen, 7 Leonard Lotriet, 6 Adriaan Jansen van Vuuren, 5 Nathan van Aswegen, 4 Johan van Heerden, 3 Xavier Boikano, 2 Reagna Smith, 1 Divan Wernich
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