Grey High out to end Wynberg’s winning streak in Cape Town
One of Wynberg Boys’ High‘s strengths this season has been the rolling maul, and they used it effectively to defeat Bishops 38-20 in a southern suburbs derby last weekend.
Grey High’s last outing was on 27 April, when they beat Glenwood High 34-12 in Gqeberha. That means Saturday’s match against Wynberg will be their first in three weeks. They’re well rested, but they might be a bit rusty.
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Last May, in a fantastic clash in Gqeberha, Wynberg won 32-27.
The Cape Town school has been a bogey side for Grey High. The Eastern Cape boys last won in 2017, taking that game 40-30.
Since then, they’ve mustered draws in 2019 (27-27) and 2024 (10-10), but Wynberg has recorded wins in their other meetings, in 2018 (36-33), 2022 (18-16), and 2023 (35-8).
Based on both sides’ form this season, it should be a tight contest. Wynberg has won five and lost three, while Grey High has five wins and two losses on its record.
Wynberg flyhalf Achmat Behardien and inside centre Luke Gertze, who sometimes plays flyhalf, will have key roles to play for the home side. They are both creative players, able to make the backline sing with their inventive play.
Hooker, Ridah Johnson, is deadly off the back of the rolling maul, as is Naeem Mohammed, who packs down at both hooker and flank.
The visitors’ captain and inside centre Ciaran Killian is a line-breaking threat with his clever running lines. The Wynberg midfield will need to keep a close eye on him if they are to limit Grey’s try-scoring opportunities.
Blindside flank Blake Parker returns to the Grey High lineup, boosting the Gqeberha boys with another try-scoring threat.
Wynberg may have the advantage at lineout time, but will need to defend tightly in open play if they want to ensure a win at home.
TEAMS
Wynberg Boys’ High: 15 Laeeq Davids, 14 Zachary de Kock, 13 Ithandile Nkohla, 12 Luke Gertze, 11 Chad Campbell, 10 Achmat Behardien, 9 Rauf Ahmed, 8 Esa van der Schyff, 7 Eli van der Merwe, 6 Alvin Machinja, 5 Jack de Beer, 4 James Orwin, 3 Solam Gegana, 2 Ridah Johnson, 1 Boitumelo Mabohlo.
Grey High: 15 Keanu Linch, 14 Noah Mbizi, 13 Michael Oosthuizen, 12 Ciaran Killian, 11 Sikhu Xego, 10 Likhona Nakani, 9 Santino Goniwe, 8 Zola Yeye, 7 Blade Parker, 6 Sibonele Stuurman, 5 Joandré van Jaarsveld, 4 Jean Nel, 3 Juan Potgieter, 2 Micah Wessels, 1 Daniel Naudé.
