Wounded Tygerberg hosts Strand, Milnerton takes on Stellenberg
On Saturday, Hoërskool Tygerberg welcomes Hoërskool Strand to Parow for a 12:25 clash. The visitors were beaten 29-24 by an electric DF Malan last Saturday, while Tygerberg fell to a 29-44 loss against Melkbosstrand.
Tygerberg was unable to make their momentum count against Melkbosstrand and that will be a point of focus on Saturday.
If they can play their natural game and establish some early flow, they could challenge Strand, but the visitors have enjoyed, by far, the better season.
Tygerberg, though, has had two weeks to prepare for Strand’s visit. Have they made good use of the extra preparation time? Their execution on Saturday will reveal the answer to that question.
Strand will be confident of victory. If they can withstand the initial assault, then they might be able to take over proceedings in the second half, as they have done in recent matches. The boot of scrumhalf Jayden Steenkamp will also be essential to the visitors’ hopes. He is a calm presence in the side and a trusty kicker when the game is tight.
Milnerton lost 32-36 against Bishops last weekend. They’ll be aiming for a change of fortune when they tackle Stellenberg at 12:30 on Saturday.
It will be a tough challenge. The Jade Brigade enjoyed a hard-earned 18-10 victory over Boland Landbou in their most recent outing.
Milnerton has a bulldozer in centre, captain Morgan Lodewyk. He’s been a brawny but skilful operator, who has troubled opposing backlines all season, frequently creating line breaks and finishing off attacking moves behind the whitewash.
As was seen in their game against Outeniqua two Saturdays ago, Stellies can be stretched and worn down. Lodewyk and company will view that Outeniqua game as a tutorial.
When going through the middle isn’t an option, the boys in blue have a dangerous creative runner in fullback Chadlin Sellidon. He’s got dancing feet and is also an accurate striker off the kicking tee.
Stellies will have to make do without their SA u18 A flyhalf, Ethan van Biljon, who will turn out against Ireland on Friday in Durbanville. That’s a big loss for the Jade Brigade, but they have the depth to remain competitive despite missing their general at number 10.
Milnerton struggled to slow down the Bishops’ lineout mauls, and that is surely an area that Stellenberg will target on Saturday.
Teams:
Tygerberg vs Strand at 12:25 in Parow.
Tygerberg: N/A.
Strand: 15 Ashton Mitchell, 14 Marquin Smith, 13 Kealan Milton, 12 Lyle Julies, 11 Kyle Steyn, 10 Justin Phillips, 9 Jaydan Steenkamp, 8 Rohan Bezuidenhout, 7 Chrismar Prinsloo, 6 Schalk Beukes, 5 Keagan Coetzee, 4 Joshua Lourens, 3 Timothy van den Bergh, 2 Ruben Paanakker, 1 Christopher Els.
Milnerton vs Stellenberg at 12:30 in Cape Town.
Milnerton: 15 Chadwin Sellidon, 14 Leo Weber, 13 Sebastien Stroobants, 12 Morgan Lodewyk, 11 Litha Tasana, 10 Zaide Vigeland, 9 Andrew Kansley, 8 Jeremy Armstrong, 7 Joshua Vomberg, 6 Briint Davids, 5 Kgaugelo Mokgobu, 4 Xavier Wolmarans, 3 Dane van der Merwe, 2 Divine Ambrose, 1 Chadley Davis.
Stellenberg: 15 Armand Potgieter, 14 Jason O’ Brien, 13 Luka Tonitz, 12 Daniel Mongie, 11 Christian Arendse, 10 Eben Rademan, 9 Daniel Steffan, 8 Yanos Molnar, 7 Ryan Jones, 6 Regardt Rademeyer, 5 Carlo Brink, 4 Ernst van der Merwe, 3 Jano van Deventer, 2 Liam Joubert, Christiaan Jansen van Rensburg (Captain).
