Can Wynberg stand up to the Jade Brigade?
After toppling Maritzburg College and Hoërskool Diamantveld at the ABSA Wildeklawer Festival over the long weekend, Stellenberg High hosts Wynberg Boys’ High on Saturday, with the match kicking off at 14:30.
The visitors last played two Saturdays ago in a tough 9-20 loss to Paarl Boys’ High. They’ll certainly be the better-rested side. However, it will take more than rest to outdo the Jade Brigade.
When the sides met in the southern suburbs last April, Stellies was considered the underdog, but still won 24-10. On Saturday, Wynberg will wear that collar.
Big lock Juvan Burden has been at the forefront of the hosts’ impeccable lineout consistency this season. Wynberg has been efficient at the lineout maul, leading to hooker Naeem Mohammed making regular visits over the whitewash, so that will be an interesting aspect of the sides’ match-up.
There’ll also be an interesting contest among the backs. Both teams boast strong flyhalves with influential boots.
For Stellenberg, Ethan van Biljon is lightning quick and has a thunderous boot. In comparison, Wynberg’s Luke Gertze is a playmaker who utilises soft hands and a variety of kicks to open up space for his peers to exploit.
Will the underdog outfit rise to the occasion once again, or will the Jade Brigade, sternly tested by both Maritzburg College and Diamantveld in Kimberley, record another successful conquest?
TEAMS
Stellenberg High vs Wynberg Boys’ High in Bellville at 14:30 on Saturday.
Stellenberg (likely): 15 Liam Jacobs, 14 Ralton Rhode, 13 JC Swart, 12 Daniel Mongie, 11 Emile Cilliers, 10 Ethan Van Biljon, 9 Daniel Steffen, 8 Yanos Molnar, 7 Carlo Brink, 6 Seth Coetze, 5 Juvan Burden, 4 Jayden Young, 3 Janu Van Deventer, 2 Liam Joubert, 1 Waldo Schloms.
Wynberg (likely): 15 Laeeq Davids, 14 Matthew Farah, 13 Ithandile Nkohla, 12 Cayleb Buys, 11 Chad Campbell, 10 Luke Gertze, 9 Rauf Ahmed, 8 Esa Van der Schyff, 7 Alex Barrett, 6 Alvin Machinja, 5 Eli van der Merwe, 4 James Orwin, 3 Solam Gegana, 2 Naeem Mohammed, 1 Boitumelo Mabohlo.
