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Charlies at Stellenbosch on Friday, Milnerton and Brackenfell meet under lights

By Willem Louw , in Rugby | Featured Rugby | News , at 2024-05-23 Tags: , ,

PHOTO: Lunchbox Photography

As the second term exams approach and selected players begin preparing for the respective youth weeks, which take place in June, there are still a couple of mouth-watering fixtures on the weekend’s Western Cape menu.

The action kicks off on Friday with Charlie Hofmeyr seeking to extend their unbeaten run at Hoërskool Stellenbosch. Later in the evening, Brackenfell takes on Milnerton in what is sure to be another exciting matchup.

Both have both provided many of the season’s highlights, and they will be anxious to get back on the winning track as soon as possible after suffering defeats on the past weekend.

A spectacular start to their season saw Millies take down two southern suburbs giants with stunning come-from-behind victories.

Trailing by 3-33 on the Tinkie Heyns, they fought back to beat Rondebosch Boys’ High, 34-33. In their match against Bishops Diocesan College on the Piley Rees, Millies stormed to a 31-28 victory after a solid start by Bishops had the hosts leading 28-10.

Last weekend, though, Milnerton were well beaten by SACS on the Memorial Field, going down 19-59. They’ll be anxious to notch another win before the holiday break.

Their opponents from Brackenfell have posed a unique challenge to all of their opponents, however.

Despite ending second best against Hoërskool Durbanville last weekend, losing 21-31, they have also played their part in some thrilling games this season, often upsetting bigger name opponents with their never-say-die attitude and exciting brand of rugby.

Junior Louw slots back into the flyhalf position for the Brakkies this week, with Alldrick Johnson moving to outside centre, where he will have a massive task alongside Yibonge Malote in defending the Millies’ pair of captain Frank Hitimana and Litha Tasana.

Louw and Johnson have both excelled in the no. 10 jersey this season and, with talented finishers like Cwenga Ntsapho and Migile Carelse on the wings, the visitors’ backline has more than enough in the tank to keep up with Milnerton’s dangermen.

With the experienced scrumhalf Devon Damons directing the attack for the hosts, however, the Brakkies will need to be at their best to contain the Milnerton challenge.

Up front, the battle between the likes of Sheldan Puma and Graigan Matroos will likely play a decisive role, too. Matroos was one of the try-scorers last season when Brackenfell beat Milnerton 36-29 after trailing 17-24 at half time.

The proud northern suburb rivals are well-matched across their ranks and that makes it probable that they will deliver one of the games of the weekend.

Meanwhile, Charlie Hofmeyr defends their unblemished record when they tackle Hoërskool Stellenbosch in Stellenbosch.

Last year, in Ceres, Charlies ran through the Stellies’ outfit, cruising to 66-5 victory. This weekend, however, they’ll be without some of their stars, including their captain and Boland Craven Week flyhalf Luan Giliomee and their try-hungry inside centre Philip du Plessis, who has also been selected for the regional team.

Tyrone Davids steps up to captain the side in Giliomee’s absence, with Jay-Jay Janse, at flyhalf, serving as vice-captain.

They have a target on their backs, though, and Hoërskool Stellenbosch will relish an opportunity to make a statement by upsetting Charlies.

Matthayo September, Jordan Leigh February, Romario Kivido, Christiaan Bredell, Cainen Erwee, Rushin Muller and Ronwill Abrahams all have first-hand experience of last year’s defeat in Ceres and will be motivated to cause an upset on Friday as the home side tries to turn the tables.

TEAMS

Milnerton vs Brackenfell at 20:15, Friday, 24 May

Milnerton: 15 Chadlin Sellidon, 14 Jaydin Smit, 13 Litha Tasana, 12 Frank Hitimana, 11 Keagan Wood, 10 Chadwin Sellidon, 9 Devon Damons, 8 Keagan van Blerk, 7 Dylan Peverett, 6 Ethan Wilson, 5 Mathew Gabriel, 4 Keenan Togni, 3 Lincoln Corner, 2 Keagan Harding, 1 Sheldan Puma.

Brackenfell: 15 Justin Abrahams, 14 Cwenga Ntsapho, 13 Alldrick Johnson, 12 Yibonge Malote, 11 Migile Carelse, 10 Junior Louw, 9 Jaydin Basson, 8 Wade Fortuin, 7 Dawson Lombard, 6 Dante Johnson, 5 Ntsikayomzi Njongonkulu, 4 Zander van Zyl, 3 Graigan Matroos, 2 Matthew Wyngaard, 1 Siraaj Cook.

Hoërskool Stellenbosch vs Charlie Hofmeyr at 16:35, Friday, 24 May

Hoërskool Stellenbosch: 15 Drew Houston, 14 Kian Roberts, 13 Freddy Carstens, 12 Mathayo September, 11 Jordan-Leigh Februarie, 10 Romario Kivido, 9 Jackwin Olyn, 8 Christiaan Bredell, 7 Cisco Roets, 6 Jaleel Nel, 5 Niel Vockins, 4 Cainen Erwee, 3 Ronwill Abrahams, 2 Rushin Muller, 1 James Donohoe.

Charlie Hofmeyr: 15 Ryan Hendricks, 14 Zephinith Sass, 13 Deolyn Isaac, 12 Keagan Kelly, 11 Danico Sass, 10 Jay-Jay Janse, 9 Izha-vin van Wyk, 8 Tyrone Davids, 7 Caleb de Vries, 6 Daniel Bakkes, 5 Glenn Will Tromp, 4 Joshua Swarts, 3 Aaron Richter, 2 Kyle Cardoso, 1 Duran Shiba.

Willem Louw
error: Sorry ol' chap, those shenanigans are not permissible.