Can Candies stop Reds as Moyo returns?
Hero of the previous match Vusi Moyo finds himself making his way back into the side after picking up a broken jaw right before the holidays and his ability to read a game will be welcomed back by the coaching staff.
King Edward VII will look to close out their return fixture against Pretoria Boys’ High School away this weekend, with a second win this season.
Kick-off this weekend is at 13:00 for the 1st XV’s taking place on Brooks Field.
Earlier in the year, the Reds put on a good show for their home crowd beating the Candies 28-19 in Johannesburg.
Catch all the action live on SuperSport Schools (www.supersportschools.com).
Comparatively, both teams have not had their best seasons and will be hoping to close out the remainder of the 2023 season in style and try to add a few more wins to their names.
The hosts have shown earlier in the season that they are not afraid to play an attacking style of play to get points on the board. KES this season have played in a similar manner trying to rack up the points on their opposition and to build pressure from early on.
It is highly doubtful that either side would change this style of play going into this fixture, which should be action-packed with fantastic runs, plenty of point-scoring opportunities and ferocious big hits.
Each of the school’s will be looking at their provincial players to provide some impetuous into their teams with each side having 3 (Pretoria Boys’ High School) and 6 (King Edward VII) players representing the Blue Bulls and Lions respectively.
An anticipated match-up that will be closely followed, will be that of Boys High captain Shaun Schurmann and South African Schools hooker Siphosethu Mnebelele.
However, both schools have the depth within their squads not to be reliant on these star players and the difference could be seen within the squads as to what could be a defining factor in this match and potentially the strength of their benches, where fresh legs could be key.
It’s these sorts of players who fly under the radar, put in the hard yards at training, during the season but can make a big impact when the moment is required.
Pretoria Boys’ High have shown that they possess a robust backline which is made up of some hardworking individuals such as centers Christoper Smith and Rickus Wessels.
With Moyo’s return, Tristan Maugeri finds himself back in the fullback position where he has had a successful season governing the back three, which includes the pace of Timi Oluwole.
Although KES might go in as favourites based on their previous outing, don’t rule out the hosts as they enter the match as underdogs and have nothing to lose.
Every dog has its day, and the hosts will be hoping to have the last bark, as they look to win one over their long-time rivals in front of a full house in Pretoria.
The teams:
Pretoria Boys’ High: 15 Kyle Hezlett, 14 Itu Baloyi, 13 Christoper Smith, 12 Rickus Wessels, 11 Ntsako Ndlovu, 10 Tebogo Nchabaleng, 9 Joshua Naude, 8 Etienne du Preez, 7 Stephen Adams, 6 Ernest Van Rooyen, 5 Tsephpiso Shikhibana, 4 Randy Muzungu, 3 Ofentse Moeng, 2 Shaun Schurmann, 1 Kitso Mokoena.
King Edward VII: 15 Tristan Maugeri, 14 Caleb Lombard, 13 Olunje Mehlomakulu, 12 Tirhani Masondo, 11 Timi Oluwole, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Ruan Van Rensburg, 8 Kebotile Maake, 7 Thandolwethu Biyela, 6 Siya Radebe, 5 Tyron Smith, 4 Thomas Beling, 3 Joshua Aube, 2 Siphosethu Mnebelele, 1 Lesedi Moloi.
Fixtures:
u14A: 09:00 (Ohealy Near)
u15A: 10:00 (Ohealy Far)
u16A: 11:00 (Ohealy Far)
u19B: 12:00 (Brooks Field)
u19A: 13:10 (Brooks Field)
