Dale aiming to even season’s series against Selborne

Dale College will be chasing a double celebration when they renew one of the oldest rivalries in Border schools’ rugby with a showdown against East London’s Selborne College taking place in Qonce on Saturday at 15.00.

Dale is celebrating Women’s Month with their traditional Pink Weekend theme, running out in those colours instead of their traditional black jersey with red stripes.

It’s a commitment to show their support for women, which has been running since 2012, and the home side would like nothing more than to mark the occasion with a win over a tough Selborne outfit.

Earlier in the season, when the sides met, Selborne eked out a 15-13 and, although Dale has suffered a number of defeats this season, they will be determined that “The “Graveyard” nickname of their home fortress lives up to its name.

Selborne has made some changes, but they remain a formidable outfit and players such as Robert John-Osunkwo, Dominic Stegmann, and Bungqina Nuku will lead from the front.

In the home team, captain and No 8 Kamva Sithole will be urging his team to rise to the occasion on a significant weekend for the school that goes beyond rugby.

If Dale plays to their potential, the visitors could be in for a gruelling afternoon in Qonce.

Meanwhile, the Eastern Cape’s top side, Queen’s College, has been living on the edge in recent matches, and they will need to have their wits about them when they travel to Makhanda for what should be a thrilling showdown against Graeme College.

On a previous visit to the Somerset Field, at the Graeme Festival, in March, Queen’s suffered their only loss to an Eastern Cape school this year, going down 17-20 to Pearson.

They have grown considerably as a team since then, but they have been pushed hard in their most recent matches, which resulted in narrow three-point wins over Marlow and Selborne.

Graeme has shown good form all season and demonstrated their grittiness when they held off Dale in the last 10 minutes a week ago to secure a 17-10 victory in Qonce.

They will need to show similar defensive commitment against a dangerous Queen’s team, who are strong up front and have a backline capable of unlocking most defences.

In East London, Ooskus Gymnasium will have their hands full when they host Hudson Park in a Friday afternoon encounter, while there should be a real arm wrestle when Cambridge entertains Stirling in their annual derby on Saturday.

Teams:

Dale College: 15 Inga Mafanga, 14 Achumile George, 13 Nxande Ngcaba, 12 Phikolomzi Mtyalela, 11 Yamkele Molose, 10 Soso Dyani, 9 Wethumtha Malawana, 8 Kamva Sithole (captain), 7 Liyabona Mayikana, 6 Linamandla Peter, 5 Kungawo Jaca, 4 Ebenezer Sarpong, 3 Sanele Bistoli, 2 Lakhanya Mbewu, 1 Azole Sodlaka.

Selborne College: 15 Bungqina Nuku, 14 Troy Senar, 13 Njongo Mbanga, 12 Aaron James, 11 Iviwe Kabale, 10 Samuel Jacobsen, 9 Aaron Senekal, 8 Uviwe Jikwana, 7 Dominic Stegmann, 6 Travis Enslin, 5 Luca Liebenberg, 4 Matthew Bean, 3 Seth Smith, 2 Matthew Tarr, 1 Robert John-Osunkwo.

Graeme College: 15 Lucritia Magau,  14 Alden Walters, 13 Inathi Planga, 12 Torres Fourie, 11 Elgin Fanton, 10 Ethan Bokbaard, 9 Luke Doyle, 8 Ayamile Bill, 7 Ayola Mali, 6 Lwandle Dlamini, 5 Mikhulu Yolani, 4 Akho Tonjeni, 3 Athi Bonga, 2 Lebo Mahasele, 1 Bagcine Njengele.

Queen’s College: 15 Mveli Mqolo, 14 Ayathanda Mtyando, 16 Thina Fenako, 12 Lithemba Maxegwana,  11 Boikaho Motlohi, 10 Inganathi Mnunu, 9 Ayola Somhlahlo, 8 Acwenga Saul, 7 Sambesiwe Vetman, 6 Jeffrey Niland (captain), 5 Kaunda Billie, 4 Zeacke Mata, 3 Ahlume Gqetywa, 2 Bulumko Manqina, 1 Amyoli Ngxongwana.

Hudson Park: 15 Bahlumile Mavuso, 14 Bubu Mzamo, 13 Lunathi Dolo, 12 Sibabalwe Mtshini, 11 Masibulele Kwakwini, 10 Mahle Zinto, 9 Landile Gidi, 8 Likhanye Mandila, 7 Sange Gwarube, 6 Phindokuhle Mdlalana, 5 Hlumelo Gobile, 4 Tenda Saunyama, 3 Manyano Mpendu, 2 Kwakokuhle Pasha, 1 Khanya Mazulu.

Ooskus Gym: 15 Chivago Petrus, 14 Stefan de Jager, 13 Josh du Plessis, 12 Sabian Rieck, 11 Xavier Smith, 10 Kwagga Liebenberg, 9 Jaun Nel, 8 Jandre le Roux, 7 Tyran Kotze, 6 Cole van der Merwe, 5 Roussow Nel, 4 Eben Viljoen, 3 Gustaf Brink, 2 Bruwer Smit 1 Zander Brink.

Cambridge: 15 Lithemba Mpikwa, 14 Lisakhanya Magoxo, 13 Liqhame Mkanzana, 12 Somili Pityi, 11 Imange Roto, 10 Alizwa Cekiso, 9 Manga Mlonyeni, 8 Aaron Ray, 7 Othandwayo Mtotoba, 6 Hlonipha Zweni, 5 Nakwesi Masiso, 4 Luxolo Mashaba, 3 Lwandle Rasi, 2 Kwakhanya Nweba, 1 Iviwe Mzingayi.

Stirling: TBC