Framesby hosts Pearson in tough-to-call King Price Derby Series clash

The host team, Framesby, will be aiming for a bounce-back performance from what has been a difficult season for them with a quality performance when they meet Pearson in a King Price Derby Series fixture, in Gqeberha, on Saturday.

The annual clash pits two of the Eastern Province’s most competitive teams against each other, with Framesby a well-established force, while Pearson is rising fast through the ranks in the region.

An indication of Pearson’s credentials is that they are the only Eastern Cape team to have lowered the colours of Queen’s College this season, beating the Komani side 20-17 at the Graeme College Festival.

Admittedly, Queen’s has developed into a much-improved outfit since that loss in March, but Pearson poses a distinct threat to Framesby’s victory hopes, especially with the elusive Denilo Jordaan calling the shots from flyhalf.

No doubt, Framesby coach Louis Gerber and his staff will have worked on plans to contain Jordaan and those will likely revolve around establishing some sort of supremacy up front.

If they can do that, then their own halfbacks, Mondre van Heerden and Calestin Felkers, will be able to unleash their dangerous backs in a bid to find the winning touch.

On the other hand, should Pearson gain parity up front, they will severely test the defensive systems of the home side.

The other big showdown in Gqeberha on Saturday comes a few kilometres across town where Grey High faces Makhanda’s St Andrew’s College in a match that always whets the appetite.

While Grey will be hurting from a late one-point loss to Queen’s in Komani, St Andrew’s heads into the contest off an impressive 40-10 victory over Selborne College and they’ll want to ride that wave of momentum onto the Kolisi Field.

Talented fullback Meyer Prinsloo stands out as one of the dangermen who St Andrew’s will need to keep quiet, but the whole Grey squad will be fired up and eager to get their season back on track.

St Andrew’s is also littered with game-breakers, none more so than their number 15, Will Stevens, who could make an impact with both his running ability and his educated boot.

A blockbuster of a match is also brewing in Makhanda where the exciting Graeme College side hosts high-flying Nico Malan.

With both sides possessing exciting sets of backs, capable of setting the Somerset Field alight, it should be a high energy cracker.

Although Graeme lost recently to St Andrew’s, they have an outstanding record this season, with nine wins in their other 10 matches. Significantly, they won away from home against the tough Hudson Park last weekend. They will need to be as consistent to handle the Humansdorp side.

Nico Malan has three defeats and a draw from their 11 matches, but they have recently seen off the challenges of Pearson and Marlow Agricultural.

They’ll be confident ahead of the Graeme clash. It will be a new day, however, and any complacency could be their death knell.

TEAMS

Framesby vs Pearson at 14:00

Framesby: 15 Jaiden Brewis, 14 Jaco George, 13 Cole Hilpert, 12 Reon Saaiman, 11 Damian Witbooi, 10 Calestin Felkers, 9 Mondre van Heerden, 8 David Matyani, 7 Aiden Dennis, 6 Ethan Terblanche, 5 JJ de Lange, 4 Raynardt Brown, 3 Nathan Birkholtz, 2 Luke Didoft, 1 Eden Calitz.

Pearson: 15 Keano Beling, 14 Matthew Els, 13 Sibu Mkhontwana, 12 Hanro Botes, 11 Siya Ncwadi, 10 Denilo Jordaan, 9 Kadin Kretzmann, 8 Robert Harris, 7 Cameron Knoetze, 6 Siphe Myataza, 5 Stefan Kapp, 4 Mlibo Toni, 3 Jordan Bruintjies, 2 Nicholas Gillespie, 1 Joshua Pienaar.

Grey High vs St Andrew’s College at 15:20

Grey High: 15 Meyer Prinsloo, 14 Sikhulekile Xego, 13 Bradley Myburgh, 12 Noah Mbizi, 11 Akhumzi Masoka, 10 Adam Holmboe, 9 Ray-Dylan Wilkinson, 8 Sibonelo Stuurman, 7 David Melariri, 6 Cody Wilmot, 5 Raees Williams, 4 Riley Higgs, 3 Ross Atkinson, 2 Blake Parker, 1 Evan Mucka.

St Andrew’s College: 15 Will Stevens, 14 Asante Chivere, 13 Alastair de Kock, 12 Aphindile Ngcuka, 11 Qhawe Madikizela, 10 Oli Johnds, 9 David Chorley, 8 Joshua van Zyl, 7 Luca Nigrini, 6 Coel Trollip, 5 Matthew Harvey, 4 William Beamish, 3 Sivatho Mjali, 2 Amo Habi, 1 Jake Jackson.

Graeme College vs Nico Malan at 14:15

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

Nico Malan: 15 Alarno Primo, 14 Reagan Stone, 13 Gelden van Niekerk, 12 Enzo Machaba, 11 Tequane Koopman, 10 Leighton Lawrence, 9 Lleyton Mienie, 8 Pietman Kleinhans (captain), 7 Neil Lategan, 6 MC Ferreira, 5 Ruben van Dijk, 4 Ulrich van Zyl, 3 Drikus Kruger, 2 Janu Janse van Rensburg, 1 Waldo Krige.