Bere Park loaded for Garsie-season kick-off
Hoërskool Garsfontein will look to set a definite tone for the 2024 season when they come up against Jeppe High School for Boys on Wednesday at 18:00 in Pretoria.
This will be their first game after having an early run against Pretoria Boy’s High last weekend.
This, however, didn’t have much official status as the teams only played chukkas (four sessions of 15 minutes each).
The side from Pretoria boasts some familiar faces making a return to Bere-park for a second year of first-team rugby. Speedster, Ruan Enslin, who made his mark on the right wing for the Garsies in 2023, will don the number 13 jersey for his side this year.
Upfront, Aiden King makes his return. Making his move from lock to eighthman this year gives King the opportunity for freedom with the ball in hand. His move will also add significant value to the Bere’s defence.
Another familiar face, Jacques Swarts takes up his regular position at lock, adding more experience among the side from Pretoria’s forward pack.
Jeppe also boasts a significant group of players returning for their second year in the famous black and white striped jersey. Captain and outside centre, Khuthadzo Rasivhaga will add lots of experience in the backline, having represented the Golden Lions at the Cravenweek last year.
On his inside, another Cravenweek representative in MacMillan Mongwana (inside centre), also makes his return as the pair looks to create havoc among the Bere defenders in the midfield.
Among the hard men upfront, Vice Captain and Headboy, Risima Khosa will look to ignite the fire needed to down a class outfit from Pretoria. Khosa, a product of Tzaneen Primary School, in Limpopo, brings calmness and experience, having already represented the Golden Lions at the Academy Week last year.
He will certainly look to the versatile Luke Cannon (lock) and his burly prop, Luca Trevisan for support, especially at scrum time.
The teams:
Hoërskool Garsfontein vs Jeppe High School for Boys at 18:00 in Pretoria:
Hoërskool Garsfontein: 15 Junade Pasensie, 14 Handre Maree, 13 Ruan Enslin, 12 Alro le Roux, 11 Kunaide Stuart, 10 Brooklyn Newman, 9 Luan Ferreira, 8 Aiden King, 7 Thinus Oosthuizen, 6 Luann Oliver, 5 Jacques Swarts, 4 James Schnetler, 3 Luan van der Beg, 2 Stephan Pretorius, 1 Aiden Holtzhausen.
Jeppe High School for Boys: 15 Sanele Simelane, 14 Lesego Zungu, 13 Khuthadzo Rasivhaga, 12 McMilen Mongawana, 11 Leruo Dithagiso, 10 Matthew Coetzee, 9 Talent Sithole, 8 Risima Khosa, 7 Nathan Claasen, 6 Wanga Ndou, 5 Luke Cannon, 4 Nathan Boyder, 3 Luca Trevisan, 2 Bonga Nxumalo, 1 André Poulton.
