Underdogs face Eastern Cape’s best

With little to lose, underdogs Port Rex Technical High and Cambridge High will be out to show that they can also bite when they play in Border schools matches on Saturday, in Komani and East London respectively.

Port Rex will be up against the top side in the Eastern Cape at present, Queen’s College, on Komani’s Rec Field, and nobody will need reminding just how difficult it is to take down the home side in that high-pressure environment.

Cambridge, meanwhile, will have their hands full when they entertain the potent St Andrew’s College team, from Makhanda, who are coming off a cracking win over Grey High, in Gqeberha.

On a five-match winning streak, during which they have knocked off the region’s top guns, it seems only complacency can prevent Queen’s from racking up another victory.

Fortunately for them, they will have wise counsel from experienced coaches Clinton Loest and Tyrone Rankin, who are only too well aware of the pitfalls which loom for schoolboy players who get ahead of themselves.

Additionally, Queen’s players have an extremely proud ethos when they pull on the first team jerseys and they are sure to remain committed to giving their best effort.

Port Rex will have to find a way to contain the danger out wide, where wings Ncutu Kepe (a hat-trick against Hudson Park last week) and Ayathanda Mtyando, have wreaked havoc on their opposition this season.

The East London team will be encouraged by a dominant display against Ooskus Gymnasium last week, when they won 43-10, but they know that they face a much tougher challenge this time.

St Andrew’s should also have too many weapons against Cambridge. The Makhanda boys showed last week that they not only have the character to overcome the biggest tests, but they also have a number of gamebreakers in their ranks.

With locks William Beamish and captain Matthew Harvey prominent up front, they should be able to lay the platform for a solid performance against an East London team which they will be wise not to underestimate.

The elusive Oli Johns is another significant threat at flyhalf for St Andrew’s as he goes about igniting the backline, while fullback Will Stevens will add an attacking thrust, as well as provide points from the boot if Cambridge fail to maintain a strict sense of discipline.

TEAMS

Queen’s College vs Port Rex, Rec Ground, Komani, 14:30

Queen’s College: 15 Mveli Mqulo, 14 Ayathanda Mtyando, 16 Thina Fenako, 12 Sbabalwe Magwebu, 11 Ncutu Kepe, 10 Inga Mnunu, 9 Ayola Somhlahlo, 8 Khaka Xoseni, 7 Acwenga Saul, 6 Jeffrey Niland (capt), 5 Sambesiwe Vetman, 4 Ethan Oosthuizen, 3 Ahlume Gqetywa, 2 Bulumko Manqina, 1 Amyoli Ngxongwana.

Port Rex: 15 Phumelela Sheleni, 14 Deano Snyman, 13 Owam Nqweniso, 12 Mivuyo Kongela, 11 Qhayiya Siwani, 10 Ndimphiwe Songqwaba, 9 Lluthando Maseti, 8 Lonwabo Mntwapi, 7 Lutho Majavu, 6 Kwakhanya George, 5 Zuko Batyi, 4 Ethan Schoeman, 3 Liam Botha, 2 Mlibo Makupula, 1 Siyema Mdyogolo.

Cambridge High vs St Andrew’s College, Cambridge, East London, 14:45

Cambridge High: N/A

St Andrew’s College: 15 Will Stevens, 14 Asante Chivere, 13 Avimule Bangazi, 12 Ali de Kock, 11 Qhawe Madikizela, 10 Oli Johns, 9 David Chorley, 8 ⁠Joshua van Zyl, 7 ⁠Luca Nigrini, 6 ⁠Coel Trollip, 5 ⁠Matthew Harvey (capt), 4 ⁠William Beamish, 3 ⁠Sivatho Mjali, 2 Amo Habi, 1 Jake Jackson.