Light Blues and Volkies square of in do or die clash in SDC Noordvaal Cup’s Bowl-section
Potchefstroom Volkskool will face a tough ask when they go head-to-head against a revitalized Merensky Side in a do or die clash for both teams in the SDC Noordvaal Cup Bowl-division.
Both teams still have a good chance of qualifying for the playoffs, but a loss could mean the end of the line.
Merensky showed that they are not to be written off in the division after they thumped Dr. Malan in Tzaneen last week. The Light Blues shrugged of the negativity thrown at them after their defeat in Brakpan and proved to their critics that they are indeed a class outfit.
Openside flank, Hardus Terblanche, has been tremendous for Merensky thus far. Terblanche’s work rate has been exceptionally high throughout the season as he continues to wreak havoc at ruck time.
The flanker has also been remarkable in broken play proving to be a danger on attack too. The home side will have to make due without their stalwart, Waldie Haasbroek, who misses out due to injury, but will look to Lukas Pieterse to fill the big boots of Haasbroek in the number eight jersey.
At the back, Byron Hendricks has been pivotal at ten with consistent performances from the tee as well top-notch distribution to the danger men on his outside.
The men from Potchefstroom enjoyed a bye last week and will look to capitalize on the extra rest when they travel up to the Lowveld.
Christo Rose returns to his familiar position at flyhalf. Rose has been instrumental for the Volkies, playing an attacking brand of rugby and will it prove to be an interesting tussle between the two flyhalves.
The Volkies flyhalf has also been remarkable from the tee and with some guidance from Springbok legend, Morne Steyn, in a kicking clinic during the break, he will undoubtedly be a danger with his kicking boot.
Upfront, it’s been the tight five from Volkies who’ve been a thorn in the side of many a team, with none being better than tight head prop, Johan van Tonder. Van Tonder has been solid at scrum time and will once again look to go on the rampage with his burly ball carries.
Wesvalia will welcome Die Anker in Klerksdorp for their long-anticipated clash. Die Anker still wear the mantle of unbeaten thus far after their comfortable win (38-13) against Eldoraigne last week. Although, Wesvalia will be a horse of a different colour as they too came out on top against Pietersburg last week, keeping them on the winning track.
The battle will be upfront between the two packs with both teams playing very physical rugby and with both teams having serious fire power out the back it will come down to who can dominate among the big men up front.
Eldoraigne will look to get back to winning ways when they travel to Dr Malan. The men from Pretoria will look to rub some more salt in the wounds of Dr Malan after their hiding in Tzaneen last week. Inside centre, Rynardt Gelderblom, makes his return to add some more empathise too an already imposing backline.
Dr. Malan is still searching for that first elusive first victory in the competition and will look to capitalize on home ground advantage to come out on top.
Pietersburg travel to Alberton in search of revival after their loss against Wesvalia last weekend. The side from Pietersburg has been very hot and cold thus far and will hope that the right team pitches up to claim an important victory to keep their hunt for a playoff spot alive.
The teams:
Merensky vs Potchefstroom Volkskool at 12:50 in Tzaneen:
Merensky: 15 Caleb Mokgalaotse, 14 Clifford Ledwaba, 13 Klokke Mohlala, 12 Ulrich Mare, 11 Mahlatse Semoosa, 10 Byron Hendricks, 9 Dirk De Nysschen, 8 Lukas Pieterse, 7 Tian Viljoen Krugel, 6 Hardus Terblanche, 5 Zander Hydenrych, 4 Luan Verster, 3 Tirelo Mashapa, 2 Ruan Marcos, 1 Divan Pietersen.
Potch Volkies: 15 Charls Rochart, 14 Andre Zillie, 13 Tiaan Gouws, 12 Ludwich Should, 11 Francois Smit, 10 Christo Rose, 9 Johandre Maree, 8 Dewald Groenewald, 7 Johan Malherbe, 6 Wian Alberts, 5 Konrad Pretorius, 4 Marco Oosthuizen, 3 Johan van Tonder, 2 Andre van Zyl, 1 Brendon Steenkamp.
Wesvalia vs Die Anker at in Klerksdorp:
Wesvalia: 15 Marno Dreyer, 14 Teboho Sekonyela, 13 Deon Viljoen, 12 Philip Janse van Rensburg, 11 Werner Kruger, 10 Richardt van Heerden, 9 Chad Hofmeyer, 8 Hanre Venter, 7 Hennoh Visser, 6 Francios Drumond, 5 Wessel Sevenster, 4 Vian Botes, 3 Koos Kleynhans, 2 Junior Kuhn, 1 Heinrich Jansen van Vuuren.
Die Anker: 15 Damien Muller, 14 Breedt la Grange, 13 Duhan du Plessis, 12 Branden Crous, 11 Christiaan Nell, 10 Benton Giessing, 9 Danie Smit, 8 Hanru Pienaar, 7 Siya Shongwe, 6 AJ Roux, 5 Reagan Pretorius, 4 Ruben Herbst, 3 Daniel du Toit, 2 Dihan de Villiers, 1 Buks Britz.
Dr. Malan vs Alberton at 11:15 in Meyerton:
Dr. Malan: 15 Collyn Fourie, 14 Dian van der Berg, 13 Andreas Botha, 12 Dillon Gouws, 11 Dante Morat, 10 Juan Stols, 9 JP Kinghom, 8 JJ Bester, 7 Waldo de Wet, 6 Herman du Plessis, 5 Clayton Button, 4 Xander Boshoff, 3 Ziwan Karrani, 2 Duhan Rheeder, 1 Kananelo Mtambo.
Eldoraigne: 15 JP Meyer, 14 Hendru van Zyl, 13 Marchand Nel, 12 Rynhardt Gelderblom, 11 Ivan Vermeulen, 10 Reynier Kidson, 9 Donnevin Naude, 8 Johan Coetsee, 7 Anroux du Plessis, 6 Divan de Jager, 5 Myburgh van Wyk, 4 Shane Henery, 3 Jaco Fourie, 2 Jaydon Niehaus, 1 Willie Diffenthal.
Pietersburg vs Alberton at 13:30 in Pietersburg:
Pietersburg: 15 Divan van Tonder, 14 Devon Janse van Rensburg, 13 Hanno van Zyl, 12 Wian Terblanche, 11 Niel Smit. 10 Vincent Luckhoff, 9 Divan Brown, 8 Henre Venter, 7 Reuben Weyer, 6 Keegan Baker, 5 Dewan Gobey, 4 Jayden de Bruyn, 3 Floris Venter, 2 Dewald de Beer, 1 Jan-Hendrik Venter.
Alberton: TBC
