Autumn beckoning means it’s rugby time as Marlow welcomes Duineveld
It’s almost Autumn, but it is, most definitely, that time of the year when players dust off their togs ahead of the kick-off of the rugby season, with Hoër Landbouskool Marlow playing host to a formidable Hoërskool Duineveld on Saturday.
The first XV match kicks off at 13:15, with all the matches on the Willie Meyer Field being covered live on the SuperSport Schools platform.
Catch all the action live on SuperSport Schools (www.supersportschools.com).
It’s an away game for Duineveld, the Velties, who make the “groot trek’ of almost 700 kilometres from Upington to Cradock.
The visitors’ lineup includes some talented players to watch out for. In the pack, they have Wian Liebenberg, who will be wearing the all-important number 8 jersey. Supporting him in the loose trio is flanker Alec Andrianatos, will also be out to impress this weekend.
In the backline, Ethan van Zyl will be aiming to keep the game moving and will be taking on the kicking responsibilities for his side – with goalkicking maybe all that will separate two well-matched sides at the end of the game. Speedy fullback Gregan Jansen patrols in the last line of defence and he’ll be eager to show his ability on attack, too.
The stands are expected to be filled, and Marlow will be eager to impress their home supporters.
In 2023 the team had a mixed run of form but scored some fine victories over top Eastern Cape sides, including St Andrew’s College, Selborne College and Nico Malan.
When asked about the players to watch out for this season, Marlow’s coach Derik Olivier said: “This is one team united, no individual”, which echoes the “all for one, one for all” mantra.
Last weekend, Marlow ran out 22-point winners in their first match of 2024, defeating Hoërskool Upington 34-12.
Given that boost of confidence, and the backing of the home supporters, Marlow will be confident they could add win number two. Duineveld, however, has already played three games and they boast a 3 and 0 record, with victories over Kalahari, Kathu and Jim Fouché.
With Saturday signalling the true start of the 2024 season, there’s going to be a serious buzz around the country when the first whistles sound.
Teams
Hoër Landbouskool Marlow
15 Kunga Venkile, 14 JJ Erasmus, 13 Theunis Botha, 12 Christiaan v/d Merwe, 11 Teagan Wiessener, 10 Gideon Jordaan, 9 Gian Steyl, 8 Jan-Hendrik Els, 7 IB van Heerden, 6 Robert van Zyl, 5 Danté Roux, 4 Wilco Nel, 3 Hermanus Steyn, Francois du Toit, 1 Zeiss Jordaan.
Coaches: Derik Olivier and Dale De Wet
Team Manager: Korsie
Hoërskool Duineveld
15 Gregan Jansen, 14 Jaquin Jasson, 13 Henry Page, 12 PJ Smit, 11 AJ Burger, 10 Ethan van Zyl, 9 Franco Erasmus, 8 Wihan Liebenberg, 7 Jandries Potgieter, 6 Alek Andrianatos, 5 Jan-Carel Claasens, 4 Arno Luttig, 3 Ethan Prins, 2 Phillip van As, 1 Adriaan Botha.
Coaches: Stefan van Wyk and Ruan Venter
Team Manager: Etienne Havenga
Fixtures
u19A: 13:15 pm (Willie Meyer Field)
u16A: 12:00 pm (Willie Meyer Field)
u19B: 10:50 am (Willie Meyer Field)
u19C: 9:40 am (Willie Meyer Field)
u15A: 10:50 am (Willie Meyer Field)
u14A: 8:30 am (Kala Field)
