Cape Schools’ Preview – SACS

By Hannes Nienaber , in Rugby | News , at 2013-06-19 Tags: SACS

The South African College High School (SACS) head out to Paarl Gimnasium for the bi-annual Cape School Week full of anticipation. While the squad may be hampered by injuries there is much excitement at the opportunity to play against our traditional boy’s school rivals from the Eastern Cape. All the Eastern Cape Schools are bringing their Craven Week players so the quality of rugby is sure to be very high.

SACS are without some key players but as ever this provides other squad members with an opportunity to step up and cement a place in the team for the second half of the season. It also provides the coaches with a chance to look at some younger players with a view to squad selection for 2014, SACS face Selborne College first up (19h20 on Saturday 22 June). The teams met last year at Grey High where SACS ran out winners, 28-23. Selborne started the season slowly but has produced some good results of late and will pose a formidable challenge. Their direct style of rugby with test the resolve of the SACS forwards while they are renowned for the support play out wide.

On Day Two (Monday 24 June) SACS are up against Queens College at 15h20. Queens have racked up some impressive wins of late and play an exciting brand of running rugby. They always have a good halfback combination and loose-forwards who play like terriers but it’s the ability of their forwards and backs to combine that is legendary.

In their final game, SACS play against Grey High from Port Elizabeth. Grey are arguably the strongest Eastern Cape team at the Festival and this will be a huge game for SACS on the final day (Kick-off at 8 am on Wednesday 26 June). SACS beat Grey 17-nil at Cape Schools Week in 2011 but Grey avenged that with a comfortable 32-10 win in 2012. The early game on the final day will be a tough one for both teams, with a lot at stake.

As was the case against Wynberg, SACS are without important players like Rodgers (shoulder), Basson (eye), Murray (hamstring) as well as Labuschagne (hip) and Williams (ankle). Joel MacQuene was selected for the WP Academy team but will tour with SACS but won’t be available for all 3 games. The good news is that Ambler-Smith (shoulder), Deary (ankle) and Douglas (shoulder) have recovered from their injuries and will tour to Paarl. Outstanding opportunity for all the new boys in the squad to show what they can do!

Cape Schools Week is unique and has stood the test of time since it was founded in 1980. Sadly the founder, Ray Connellan, passed away last week but this tournament will be a special one as we remember a great schoolmaster and friend.

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Hannes Nienaber

Hannes Nienaber covered schools' rugby in South Africa for Volksblad, Beeld, and Rapport for 11 years. He also created the biggest school rugby website in South Africa - School of Rugby - back in 2007. It eventually morphed into Supersport Schools Plus. He still occasionally milks cows.

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