Kwaggas host explosive Drostdy, Bellville tackles DF Malan in local derby
Hoërskool Outeniqua faces the challenge of HTS Drostdy on Saturday at 12:45, in George.
The Kwaggas muscled their way to an 8-5 victory over Durbanville last Saturday. Drostdy lost 26-34 to Rondebosch two Saturdays ago, when they last played.
It’s the last game of the season for both sides. One of the questions to be answered is how has their match preparation affected the teams? Will more recent match action help Outeniqua, or will a longer rest serve the Donkeys well?
Something that won’t be in short supply in George will be flair. Both teams feature creative attacking players.
Fullback Pirlo Baron is a serious attacking threat for the visitors. He keeps a keen eye open for opportunities to create overlaps, and he’s a dangerman on the counterattack.
Outeniqua‘s offence will be directed by flyhalf, Virgil Pockpas, whose well balanced game includes precision kicks and silky smooth passes. Last weekend, at Durbanville, rain and mud stopped the Kwaggas from playing their usual high-tempo game. They had to dig deep and lean on their pack. With the victory, they showed they can win in different ways.
Drostdy should be encouraged to challenge in the lineouts. That’ll be when they’ll have an opportunity to disrupt Outeniqua’s rhythm.
In their 10-18 loss to Stellenberg a fortnight ago, the Kwaggas were unable to dominate possession as they usually do. If Drostdy is able to starve them, too, Outeniqua will be on the backfoot.
Barring wet weather on Saturday, and none is forecast, one can foresee an entertaining highlight reel of tries from two exciting teams in their last outing of the season.
Hoërskool Bellville takes on their neighbours, Hoërskool D.F. Malan, at 12:50 on Saturday to learn who bosses Bellville in 2025.
DF is confident and well rested after defeating Strand 29-24 a couple of weeks back. Their flyhalf, Eben Bester, shone in that hard-fought win, scoring two tries and landing two conversions.
Playing at home, Hatties will need to warm up effectively because DF Malan has a habit of coming out on fire. Conceding early tries could be costly in what’s expected to be a tight affair.
DF Malan is unpredictable. Bester directs their attack and has a wide variety of moves in his arsenal. Bellville will need to be wary of wrap-arounds, switches to the blindside, and long kicks down deep into their territory.
The visitors also like to get the ball out wide, so Bellville’s back three can expect to have a busy day on defence.
The home team’s left-wing and captain, Carlo Aucamp, poses a serious threat himself. Given good attacking ball, he’s a handful.
Teams
Outeniqua vs HTS Drostdy at 12:45 in George on Saturday.
Outeniqua: 15 Jade Peterson, 14 Grant Savage, 13 Schalk van der Merwe 12 Reshaan Damans, 11 Devino Bernardo, 10 Virgil Pockpas, 9 Cee-Jay Arends, 8 Henru Nell (captain), 7 Bradley Steel, 6 Ruan van Rensburg, 5 Samuel Augustyn, 4 Favian Swart, 3 Zacary Meyer, 2 Luhan van der Sandt, 1 Matthew Prins.
HTS Drostdy: 15 Pirlo Baron, 14 Adrian Vergotine, 13 Ruben Von Solms, 12 Jacques de Klerk, 11 Darren Makeza, 10 Abdul Fisher, 9 Caleb Cornett, 8 J-cop van Engelen (captain), 7 Arnu Nieuwoudt, 6 Werno Ramsauer, 5 Jean-Louis Matthee, 4 Eugene Walker, 3 Sandro Smit, 2 JP Lotriet, 1 Stefan le Roux.
Hoërskool Bellville vs DF Malan in Belville at 12:50 on Saturday.
Bellville: 15 Alvino Loggenberg, 14 David Jordaan, 13 Liam Kuyk, 12 James Parker, 11 Carlo Aucamp (captain), 10 Marno Botes, 9 Ruhan Smuts, 8 Divan Swanepoel, 7 Rouxan Sparks, 6 Sean von Wielligh, 5 Steven Steyl, 4 Roan Robbertze, 3 Christian de Wet, 2 Ayden Olivier, 1 Stiaan Kotze.
DF Malan: 15 Pieter Delport, 14 Alistair Lewis, 13 Dylan Thompson, 12 Chris de Jager, 11 Dian Loucas, 10 Eben Bester, 9 Colin Burger (captain), 8 Juan le Roux, 7 Johan Pieterse, 6 Juan Vermeulen, 5 Daniel Nel, 4 Ruan Krugel, 3 Heinrich Jacobz, 2 Korne Drifthout, 1 Rehan Palvie.
