Durbies targets an upset at Rondebosch, wounded Tigers tackle Bellville
Rondebosch Boys’ High has been in two tough games recently, losing 17-41 and 26-33 to high-flying Paul Roos Gimnasium and Stellenberg High, respectively.
The visitors to the Tinkie Heyns Field on Saturday are Hoërskool Durbanville, who fell to a heartbreaking 36-37 defeat to Bishops in a King Price Derby Series clash last weekend. They kick off at 12:10 on Saturday.
Rondebosch left-wing Caleb Bell scored a ridiculous individual try on the weekend, which was just the latest spectacular contribution from the flyer this season.
He’ll be playing scrumhalf this weekend. The talented speedster has pace, a wicked step, a cultured grubber, and extreme acceleration – all qualities that make one-on-one defending against him all but impossible. Durbies will need to keep an eye on his movements from the base of the ruck.
Lock Bjorn Morkel provides a serious physical presence up front. The Rondebosch second-rower’s signature finish is the short and flat crash ball from the first or second receiver positions, five metres out.
Durbies also possess some outstanding finishers. Among the forwards, their eighthman, Muller Jansen van Vuuren, who scored a try last weekend, is a load. Their electric wings, Cole Carls and Raydon Williams, who both dotted down twice on Saturday, also know their way across the try line.
Both sides will be hungry for victory. Rondebosch will be chasing a first win in three matches, while Durbies, after such a tough loss last time out, will want to erase the taste of that bitter defeat.
Hoërskool Tygerberg will aim to end a longer victory drought when they host Hoërskool Bellville for a 12:10 kickoff on Saturday. They’ll pursue a first win in six outings.
They’ve played some stiff opposition this season, including Hoërskool Durbanville, who beat them 64-5 two weeks ago.
Bellville beat the Tigers 13-3 in Cape Town last season, and they’ve been on a good run this season, but an 18-24 loss to Hoërskool Melkbosstrand broke their four-match winning streak last weekend.
Kwaggas’ lock Corné Smith has been a consistent performer in the pack. He times his lineout jumps well and is a willing crash ball runner, giving Bellville regular go-forward ball by getting over the gain line. He’ll be joined by fellow lock Liam Genis in the lineouts and scrums this week, as the consistent try-scoring Steven Steyl is out with a knee injury.
By his standards, flyhalf Marno Botes has been quiet in recent weeks. He’s still been heavily involved in attacking maneuvers, but centres Caylem Du Plessis and Xandru Büter have been the primary finishers.
Bellville will go into the contest as the favourite, but playing at home, the Tigers should not be underestimated.
TEAMS
Rondebosch Boys’ High: 15 Shellvon Mabooi, 14 Jayden Wyngaard, 13 Janu Pretorius, 12 Tyler Heyns, 11 Kelebogile Nkwana, 10 Eathon Williams, 9 Caleb Bell, 8 Kirwan November, 7 Ben Gray, 6 Linakho Mehlomakulu, 5 Bertus Versfeld, 4 Bjorn Morkel, 3 Anesu Muswandigere, 2 Kwaza Gobinca, 1 Finn Watermeyer.
Hoërskool Durbanville: 15 Wihan Roux, 14 Raydon Williams, 13 Farrel-Leigh Dido, 12 Louwrens Rademeyer, 11 Carl Coles, 10 Hadley Erasmus, 9 Lorenzo Brogneri, 8 Muller Jansen van Vuuren, 7 Jono Hearn, 6 Jean de Vries, 5 Jano Stone, 4 Eben de Jongh, 3 Hanno Rhode, 2 Tristen Muller, 1 Hannes Vermeulen.
Hoërskool Tygerberg: N/A.
Hoërskool Bellville: 15 Devanté Vlotman, 14 Marlon Claasen, 13 Caylem du Plessis, 12 Xandru Büter, 11 Liam Basson, 10 Marno Botes, 9 Juvan Rousseau, 8 Cade Mong, 7 Henré Kleynhans, 6 Zandro Stramrood, 5 Corné Smit, 4 Liam Genis, 3 Zander van Wyk, 2 Ryno Higgs, 1 Alex Cronje.
