The Eastern Cape gears up for an enthralling weekend

The Eastern Cape is in for a treat with plenty of exciting matchups across the region this weekend.

The game of the day sees Dale College taking on Queen’s College Boys’ High School in Komani.

At home against Grey High School last weekend, Dale took the honours in a tight contest by seven points, 32-25.

Queen’s College has enjoyed an impressive run over the last three weeks, beating Selborne College 26-21 in East London last time out, while also keeping Stirling and Ben Vorster off the scoreboard in one-sided 50-0 and 38-0 victories.

With a number of the Queen’s players representing Border at the Grant Khomo Week last year and captain Mda Mbasa playing in the Academy Week side, the hosts, who are celebrating the school’s 166th Reunion this weekend, pose a huge threat against Dale.

Their tighthead prop Abulele Bolotini represented Border at the u18 Craven Week last year and will be aiming to build on that achievement as he pushes for a spot in the squad again this year.

SuperSport Schools will broadcast the derby matches live, with the 1st XV game kicking off at 15:00.

Port Rex Technical High School hosts Selborne College, keen to get one over their rivals from East London.

Selborne’s 21-26 loss to Queens’s last weekend was the second time this season they’ve gone down by that score, with Pretoria Boys High beating them 26-21 two weeks earlier.

Graeme College faces Hudson Park and a closely contested encounter is expected.

Graeme features Marcus and Ashton Williams at flyhalf and inside centre respectively. They’re twins, and they played in the 1st XV last year. With an excellent understanding of one another and what’s required at 1st XV level, they’ll give the home side serious impetus in the backline.

Lock Ayola Mali, who played in the Academy Week last year, will be pushing for inclusion in the Craven Week side this year.

Last weekend, Graeme cruised to a 29-12 win over Cambridge, while Hudson Park beat a competitive Hoër Landbouskool Marlow 20-7, which was their fourth win in seven matches this season.

Players to watch from Hudson Park include scrumhalf Landile Gidi and flanker Sibablwe Mtshini, who both represented the Eastern Province u18 Craven Week side in 2023.

Teams

Selborne College: 15 Bunqina Nuku, 14 Daniel Breetzke, 13 Cole Schonknecht, 12 Siya Sakhela, 11 Anjolauluwa Sogbanmu, 10 Chad de Beyer, 9 Page Fennel (vc), 8 Josh Cloete, 7 Gcina Puzi (c), 6 Liam Hansen, 5 Matthew Beän, 4 Thabo Sonamzi, 3 Luke Stegmann, 2 Boitumelo Selonyane, 1 Robert John-Osunkwo.

Port Rex Technical High School: 15 Hlulumi Tisane, 14 Lukho Kettledas, 13 Owa Nqweniso, 12 Mivuyo Kongela, 11 Avela Dyubeni, 10 Indiphile Songqwaba, 9 Thando Maseti, 8 Lutho Majavu, 7 Siyolise Dubula, 6 Ty Fetting, 5 PK Susela, 4 Ethan Schoeman, 3 Arryn Sangerhous, 2 Mlibo Makapula, 1 Elijah Nkantweni.

Graeme College: 15 Cameron Doyle, 14 Emihle Sukula, 13 Ashton Williams, 12 Xolisa Mdyesha, 11 Inathi Planga, 10 Marcus Williams, 9 Kevin Bodie 8 Ayamila Bill, 7 Liyema Mbatyotyi, 6 Fumani Baloyi, 5 Ayola Mali, 4 Mikhulu Yolani, 3 Byron Hunter, 2 Lebo Mahasele, 1 Avuyile Helesi.

Hudson Park: 15 Likho Gidi, 14 Msuthu Mbane, 13 Jacqyl Wright, 12 Luthando Yase, 11 Lebogang Madikane, 10 D’Angelo Snayers, 9 Landile Gidi, 8 Siyamthanda Klass, 7 Hlumelo Gobile, 6 Sibablwe Mtshini, 5 Luyolo Cweya, 4 Alwaba Yili, 3 Luyolo Nqeno, 2 Siqalo Gwagwa, 1 Linamandla Sonjani.

Queen’s College: 15 Mveli Mqulo, 14 Liyakha Sipunzi, 13 Thina Fenako, 12 Sbabalwe Magwebu, 11 Jameel Fleshman, 10 Siya Madzidzela, Ryan Denston, 8 Mbasa Mda, 7 Bulumko Manqina, 6 Jeffrey Niland, 5 Angalakha, 4 Aza Mdingi, 3 Abulele Bolotini, 2 Sinelizwi Deleki 1 Kuhlekonke Stuma.

Dale College: TBC

Fixtures

u19A: 13:30 Port Rex Technical High School vs Selborne College
u19A: 14:30 Graeme College vs Hudson Park
u19A: 15:00 pm Dale College vs Queen’s College Boys’ High School