Wounded SACS hosts Brackenfell, Charlie Hofmeyr tackles Hermanus
SACS hosts Brackenfell at 12:30 on Memorial-A Field on Saturday, with both sides intent on getting back to winning ways.
The home team played some good rugby in the first half of their game against Paarl Boys’ High last weekend but were comprehensively outplayed in the second half, going down to an 8-51 loss.
Brackenfell also tasted defeat, falling 21-45 to Hoërskool Durbanville, where they, too, were outplayed in the second half.
When the sides played last year, SACS doubled-up Brackenfell, winning an entertaining match 54-27.
Through their flank and captain, Siphe Mbungendlu, SACS will aim to continue their winning ways against Brackenfell, who are still chasing a first win over the Newlands school.
Both sides have played against some gruelling opposition in recent matches, and Brackenfell, although they have played a more forgiving schedule, has enjoyed some impressive victories, so they’ll be targeting Saturday’s match as a good opportunity to at last turn the tables on SACS.
Both sides will need to keep cool heads and focus on getting the basics right. Solid scrums, strong contesting of lineouts and pulling off steals at the breakdowns will be among the areas of focus for both packs. For the backs, it will be about accuracy and execution.
Charlie Hofmeyr faces Hermanus at 13:20 in Ceres.
Last week, the hosts enjoyed a 21-13 win over Hugenote, while Hermanus grabbed a noteworthy victory, beating the Kingswood School (Bath, UK) 25-21.
Those victories were, no doubt, very welcome, but they’re no cause for complacency.
The Hermanus defence will need to be disciplined. Flyhalf Jay-Jay Janse enjoys collecting points off the kicking tee, and he enjoys creating tries even more.
Charlie Hofmeyr is a side that thrives on momentum, and they like to accelerate phase play when on the attack.
Saturday’s match will be a real test for the visitors’ loose forwards, who’ll need to make the most of their jackal ability at the breakdown.
Charlie is dangerous, capable of scoring off both set-pieces and open play. They also use a variety of moves in the lineout to keep the opposition guessing. Hermanus has been less steady at the set-piece, but they’ve had a week to work on it, so, perhaps, they’ll have an ace up their sleeve.
Playing at home, and with a slightly superior record, Charlie Hofmeyr will head into the fixture as the favourite, but their coastal opposition will only be strengthened by their underdog tag.
TEAMS
SACS: 15 Quewinn Lackay, 14 Josh Gorgens, 13 Mikey Skeeles, 12 Daniel Grant, 11 Josh Pfister, 10 Robert Boyes, 9 Max Bester, 8 Thando Sithole, 7 Harrison Bell, 6 Siphe Mbungendlu (Captain), 5 Cameron Hirst, 4 Stefan Kruger, 3 Qiraan Hermans, 2 Sango Zangqa, 1 Qawe Sawuka.
Brackenfell (likely): 15 Zane van Schalkwyk, 14 Deros Manya, 13 Luhle Ngqentsu, 12 Yibonge Malote, 11 Migile Carelse, 10 Junior Louw, 9 Jean Oosthuizen, 8 Wade Fortuin, 7 Kamva Simama, 6 Seth Braaf, 5 Zander van Zyl, 4 Jeandre Limby, 3 Liam Hine, 2 Ethan Carr, 1 Siraaj Cook.
Charlie Hofmeyr: 15 Shandley Burrows, 14 Keanan Nathan, 13 Willmuth Loff, 12 Keagan Kelly, 11 Ainsley Pedro, 10 Jay-Jay Janse, 9 Phillip Boshoff, 8 Gerhard Goosen, 7 Ivan Hanekom, 6 Attie Heyns, 5 Jacob Kriel, 4 Jean Neethling, 3 Joshua Swarts, 2 Lourens Nel, 1 Dewald Jaars.
Hermanus: 15 Giano da Kosta, 14 Elia Stevens, 13 Liam Prodehl, 12 Johan van der Walt, 11 Jarred Hunter, 10 Joshua Arnoldus, 9 Christable Nutt, 8 Rehan Gotzë, 7 Gideon Scheepers, 6 Daniel Theron, 5 Mark Collins, 4 Alex Welman, 3 Alex Jones, 2 Sebastian van Dyk, 1 Rowan Moor.
