All set for a Selborne vs Pearson pearler

A year ago, Selborne College pulled off a remarkable comeback when they scored 19 points in the last 10 minutes to defeat Gqeberha’s Pearson High 29-25 in their 1st XV fixture.

Now, the two Eastern Cape rivals are set for another epic confrontation when they square off in East London on Saturday, with the visitors, no doubt, hungry for a measure of revenge.

Yet, Pearson coach Christiaan van Schalkwyk knows that they will have to be on point in all facets of the game to handle a Selborne team hurting after a couple of losses at the Standard Bank Grey High Festival.

“We have played six matches so far and have won all six, but there are always things for us to work on,” Van Schalkwyk said as he contemplated Pearson’s next challenge. “Our team is a young side and we are always working hard to improve our game.”

The Summerstrand-based school has taken massive strides to lift its profile in the sporting environment.

“I would like to improve our programme to consistently produce good sides,” the coach said. “We are working hard to establish ourselves as a top-flight rugby-playing school which can compete at a high level.”

With scrumhalf, Denilo Jordaan, an exciting attacking factor, Pearson showed their credentials with a come-from-behind 20-14 victory over Queen’s College at the Graeme College Festival, but Selborne will be another tough examination of their credentials.

“Selborne are strong opponents, and playing an all-boys school will always be tough,” Van Schalkwyk said. “We are expecting a physical challenge from a well-coached side.”

Meanwhile, Selborne coach Allan Miles will be looking to shore up a defensive frailty his charges showed in their recent fixtures.

“Defensively, we weren’t great in our last two games, and this has definitely been an area that we have worked hard at, especially when it comes to our tackle completion statistics, he said.

“Our gainline success rate on attack has also not been great, and at this stage of the season, it is common for teams to be making too many errors. We have to reduce these to be in the game.”

Despite losses to top KZN sides Westville (12-45) and DHS (5-35) at the Grey Festival, Miles said those games had been a help in assessing Selborne’s options for the season. “They have allowed us to try out different combinations, which prepares us well for the rest of the season,” he explained.

“As a coach, you are always looking at areas to improve on and these boys have set high standards for themselves. As a coaching group, it is our goal to help them achieve those.”

The teams: 

Selborne College vs Pearson in East London at 14:45: 

Selborne College: 15 Oliver Schmidt, 14 Samora Bushet, 13 Njongo Mbanga, 12 Aaron James, 11 Iviwe Kabale, 10 Bungqina Nuku, 9 Chad Weimann, 8 Liam Hansen (captain), 7 Connor Maree, 6 Lwandle Bacela, 5 Luca Liebenberg, 4 Dominic Stegmann, 3 Seth Smith, 2 Luke Bowman, 1 Robert John-Osunkwo.

Pearson: 15 Matthew Els, 14 Ezekiel Booysen, 13 Sibu Mkhontwana, 12 Hanro Botes, 11 Siya Ncwadi, 10 Keano Beling, 9 Denilo Jordaan, 8 Ben Arnott, 7 Cameron Knoetze, 6 Ryan Herbst, 5 Mlibo Toni, 4 Robert Harris, 3 Jordan Bruintjies, 2 Nicholas Gillespie, 1 Joshua Pienaar.

Marlow Landbou vs Brandwag (Kariega) on the Willie Meyer Field in Cradock at 14:00: 

Marlow Landbou: 15 Du Preez Vermaak, 14 Pierre Marais, 13 Dawid-Malan de Ridder, 12 Gian Steyl, 11 WJ Pienaar, 10 Cole Hurter, 9 Logan van Vuuren, 8 GD Jordaan, 7 Adrian Joubert, 6 CJ Botha, 5 Marnus Malan, 4 Burgert van Heerden, 3 Arnoldus du Toit, 2 Markus Bester, 1 Zian Jacobs.

Die Brandwag (Kariega): 15 Angelo Adams, 14 Dwayne Louw, 13 Damian le Roux, 12 Derono Potgieter, 11 Enzo Martin, 10 Wendall Uithaler, 9 Keeran Kayster, 8 Duane Meyer, 7 Hanré Oberholzer, 6 Nathan Fraser, 5 Jayden Fitzgibben, 4 Nicolus Thysse, 3 Francu Fouché, 2 Zak Rudman, 1 Zandré van der Mescht.

Cambridge vs Hudson Park at in East London: 

Cambridge: No team received.

Hudson Park: 15 Mahle Zinto, 14 Zearan Booysen, 13 Likho Gidi, 12 Ukhona Kama, 11 Masibulele Kwakwini, 10 Landile Gidi, 9 Imange Gxwem, 8 Sibabalwe Mtshini, 7 Likhanye Mandila, 6 Phindokuhle Mdlalana, 5 Hlumelo Gobile, 4 Tatenda Saunyama, 3 Tyrique Peters, 2 Kwazokuhle Pasha, 1 Manyano Mpendu.

Queen’s College vs Stirling at at the Recreation Ground in Komani: 

Queen’s College: 15 Bongo Nyakaza, 14 Ncutu Kepe, 16 Thina Fenako, 12 Sbabalwe Magwebu, 11 Boikaho Motlohi, 10 Inga Nunu, 9 Ayola Somhlahlo, 8 Khaka Xoseni, 7 Sambesiwe Vetman, 6 Jeffrey Niland (captain), 5 Aidan Newman, 4 Zeacke Mata, 3 Ahlume Gqetywa, 2 Bulumko Manqina, 1 Amyoli Ngxongwana.

Stirling: No team received.