KES gets first run out against St John’s, Parktown welcomes St Stithians
The King Edward VII School (KES) 1st XV has an opportunity to enjoy their first outing of the season at St John’s College on Saturday in Johannesburg.
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The stands will be packed and the Red Army‘s pack will be itching to stamp their authority on the match early on to set the tone for the season.
Lock, Michael Bownes will be called upon to play a prominent role with his strong ball carries and thundering hits on defence. He’ll be backed up by the burly eighth-man, Chinedu Amadi.
At the back, an absorbing battle between the twelves awaits. Sam Smith, the star of the KES midfield, will be licking his lips for an opportunity to get one over his opposite number, Malan du Plessis, who will be one of the St John’s dangermen.
Du Plessis’s efforts will be boosted by the abilities of vice-captain and flyhalf, Gerald van Wyk, on his inside. Van Wyk’s good vision and reading of the game will be a crucial component of the St John’s challenge.
St Stithians College can expect a tough outing against the forwards of Parktown Boys’ High, who will be running out at home. Front rowers, Manuel Motsi and Lethoko Mallane will be key players for the hosts.
Motsi, who packs down at loosehead, with Mallane by his side, at hooker, will want to put the Saints‘ forwards under pressure and also give their general, flyhalf Enrico van Coller clean ball from which he can launch attacks.
Keeping the Saints’ pack quiet will be no easy feat, though, especially if the visitors’ dangerous eighth-man, Jonathan Caveney, and openside flanker, Ross Turner, have their way.
Fullback, Sicelo Sakawuli, will also need to be watched closely by the Parktown defence. Given some space, he’s a problem on the counterattack, with serious pace and nifty footwork.
TEAMS
King Edward VII School vs St John’s College at 14:20 in Johannesburg
King Edward VII School: 15 Indi Mbonsiswa, 14 Jarrel Mbuyi, 13 Skye Segal, 12 Sam Smith, 11 Luyanda Mbandama, 10 Andrew Jackson, 9 Reegan McGurk, 8 Chinedu Amadi, 7 Sam Bruwer, 6 Nkos’enhle Mafu, 5 Michael Bownes, 4 Tryon Smith, 3 Dylan Budler, 2 Tristan Randall, 1 Kenny Prins.
St John’s College: 15 David Ireland, 14 Lwandile Khupe, 13 Alec Psillos, 12 Malan du Plessis, 11 Ethan Ramsbotham, 10 Gerald van Wyk, 9 Nicholas Morell, 8 Mako Mandhizha, 7 Cameron Coetzer, 6 Tumelo Bopape, 5 Johannes Bierman, 4 Andrew Russel, 3 Matthew Kaplan, 2 Dimitri Campbell, 1 Joshua Shannon.
Parktown Boys’ High vs St Stithians College in Johannesburg
Parktown Boys’ High: 15 Kevin Kotey, 14 Promise Kanda, 13 Khotso Tumahole, 12 Christian Cele, 11 Owani Phambuka, 10 Enrico van Coller, 9 Siphesile Mpofu, 8 Kingsley Okonkwo, 7 Sibusiso Jinyane, 6 Lethabo Sikhundo, 5 Disema Mofokeng, 4 Anashe Matuku, 3 Emeraude Ndombasi, 2 Lethoko Mallane, 1 Manuel Motsi.
St Stithians College: 15 Sicelo Sakawuli, 14 Cade Esley, 13 Reece Hubner, 12 Tyler Maclennan, 11 Melusi Kganakga, 10 Oliver Wilson, 9 Louis McAslin, 8 Jonathan Caveney, 7 Luke Thorrold, 6 Ross Turner, 5 Kulani Tlakula, 4 Vaishe Mucharambeyi, 3 Ethan Coetzee, 2 Oliver Groves, 1 Jean-Anthony Eblen.
