Parel Vallei revved up for Pearson, Charlie Hofmeyr tackles Montagu
Somerset West outfit, Parel Vallei (PV) hosts Pearson High at 14:00 on Saturday. The hosts defeated Melkbosstrand 27-6 last Saturday. Pearson meanwhile, outlasted Marlow Landbou 26-24 two Saturdays ago.
This weekend’s match is the Bulldogs’ final fixture of the season. It’s the penultimate outing for Pearson.
Both sides know their game plans well, and aren’t expected to be caught slacking in the set-pieces. The breakdowns however, are a different story.
Pearson will need to get the ball out wide quickly, as the Bulldogs’ forwards will not give them many phases with which to play. They are aggressive and physical at the breakdowns, and Pearson will have to protect their ball well or have it pilfered.
Parel Vallei no. 8, Brad Brown, sets the tone for the home team, often halting opposition attacks by driving back the ball carrier with dominant tackles, which makes counter-rucks possible for his side.
Despite the host’s improvements in 2025, Pearson is considered the favourite for Friday’s clash. They’re a side with valuable experience of tough matches. They have taken on the top schools in the Eastern Cape this season and their record includes a win over the province’s number one, Queen’s College. They’re also well rested after a huge battle against Marlow.
The Bulldogs are the underdogs, but they’ve been shedding that collar more than ever this season. Should they pull off an upset, it wouldn’t be too surprising.
Hoërskool Montagu hosts Charlie Hofmeyr at 12:50 on Saturday. The hosts raced to an emphatic 49-7 victory over Hoërskool Langenhoven last Saturday, while the Ceres locals defeated Hermanus 42-27 two Saturdays ago.
In those wins, the winning sides scored seven and six tries respectively. They’ll both fancy their chances of running in more on Saturday.
Charlies‘ scrumhalf, Phillip Boshoff, is a playmaker of note. He’ll be looking for cross-kick opportunities, and he’ll keep a keen eye on the blindside for opportunities to create overlaps.
Montagu will be up for a physical challenge, and their efforts will be led by their captain Mornè-John Roos, who ran out for Boland at the FNB Craven Week. His leadership and physicality in defence will be a vital antidote to Boshoff’s clever playmaking.
The cornerstone of a winning side, however, is most often a disciplined and gritty forward pack. Set-piece cohesion and breakdown competition are essential components for every rugby match. The side that does the dirty work the best is almost always the side that wins.
Irrespective of Saturday’s result, one can expect a game of free-flowing rugby filled with creative individuals and memorable tries.
Teams
Parel Vallei vs Pearson High School at 14:00 in Somerset West on Saturday.
Parel Vallei: 15 Shudley Rhoda, 14 Johan van Zyl, 13 Noah Enyang, 12 Tihan van der Colff, 11 Cayde Lucas, 10 Stefhan Niemann, 9 Michael Kent, 8 Bradley Brown, 7 Chris de Jager, 6 Marce Els, 5 James Paxton, 4 Renato Tosi, 3 Cayden Rautenbach, 2 Diaan du Toit, 1 Herman Diedericks.
Pearson: 15 Denilo Jordaan, 14 Matthew Els, 13 Sibu Mkhontwana, 12 Hanro Botes, 11 Siya Ncwadi, 10 Keano Beling, 9 Kadin Kretzmann, 8 Robert Harris, 7 Cameron Knoetze (Captain), 6 Siphe Myataza, 5 Mlibo Toni, 4 Ryan Herbst, 3 Jordan Bruintjies, 2 Nicholas Gillespie, 1 Joshua Pienaar.
Montagu vs Charlie Hofmeyr at 12:50 in Montagu on Saturday.
Montagu: 15 Eldrin de Koker, 14 Pieter-Wayne Soldaat, 13 Adrian Opperman, 12 Mornè-John Roos (Captain), 11 Jordan McGregor, 10 Keagan Buis, 9 Antonio Mosea, 8 Duwaine Eyberg, 7 Nazeer Ahmed, 6 Hillroy Hollenberg, 5 Jacobus van Zyl, 4 Clayton Opperman, 3 Saied Batt, 2 Christiano Visser, 1 Jowaan Pekeur.
Charlie Hofmeyr (likely): 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.
