Dynamic St Andrew’s favoured at Dale
Makhanda powerhouse St Andrew’s College will subject their outstanding season to a gruelling examination when they visit the Graveyard, in Qonce, on Saturday, to take on Dale College at 15:15.
The teams could hardly have had more contrasting fortunes this season. Dale has only three wins from 14 matches, while St Andrew’s sports 13 victories, one draw, and a single defeat from their 15 encounters.
The Makhanda team is, also, fresh off a thrilling and morale-boosting 25-22 win over their arch-rivals, Kingswood College.
And yet the feeling persists that the Dalians will not be pushovers at a venue which has not earned its nickname for nothing.
With little to lose, the home side will be fired up to cause an upset, but they will need to make sure they match St Andrew’s up front so as to allow flyhalf Soso Dyani to unleash his backs.
Dangerous runners fill the Dale backline and St Andrew’s coach Jonny Mallett knows that they his side will have to be up to speed in their defensive work to snuff out that threat.
St Andrew’s will be missing star fullback Will Stevens, whose all-round play and accurate kicking have been a significant factor in their success this season. He is on Craven Week warm-up duty, but they have quality cover in their squad. Regular scrumhalf David Chorley will wear the number 15 jersey, while Connor Malan takes over at halfback.
It should be another St Andrew’s victory, as long as they do not take anything for granted.
Graeme College returns to action with a trip to Graaff-Reinet for their annual showdown with Union High, which kicks off at 13.20.
Coach Jonty van der Meulen‘s team is enjoying a very good season and, even with some of their frontline players out, they should have too much in their armoury for the home side.
Union, though, will not lie down for anyone and they have upset the Makhanda side in the past. They’re also coming off heartening wins over Andrew Rabie and Woodridge, and they will relish the prospect of testing themselves against higher-profile opposition.
Kingswood will be missing eight regular players when they host Woodridge in their annual derby at 13.10.
Nonetheless, they will be a formidable hurdle for the Thornhill school, whose last visit to Makhanda ended in a 0-73 defeat at the hands of Port Rex in the Graeme Rugby Festival.
Teams
St Andrew’s College: 15 David Chorley, 14 Asante Chivere, 13 Ali de Kock, 12 Aphindile Ngcuka, 11 Qhawe Madikizela, 10 Oli Johns, 9 Connor Malan, 8 Joshua van Zyl, 7 Luca Nigrini, 6 Coel Trollip, 5 Matthew Harvey (capt), 4 William Beamish, 3 Sivatho Mjali, 2 Amo Habi, 1 Jake Jackson.
Dale College: 15 Inge Mafanga, 14 Achumile George, 13 Milani Madide, 12 Nxande Ngcaba, 11 Amahle Mehlomane, 10 Soso Dyani, 9 Onikwa Boniwe, 8 Kamva Sithole, 7 Liyabona Mqingwana, 6 Linamandla Peter, 5 Kungawo Jaca, 4 Ebenezer Sarpong, 3 Phawu Ludwaba, 2 Lakhanya Mbewu, 1 Azole Sodlaka.
