Oakdale’s Bulle storm to George for epic King Price Derby Series clash
The annual South Western Districts derby between Hoërskool Outeniqua of George and Oakdale Landbou from Riversdale will headline this weekend’s King Price Derby Series action across South Africa.
Both schools boast a proud rugby tradition and have long dominated selections for the u18 Craven Week, a trend that continues in 2025. Oakdale has 14 players and Outeniqua six representing the South Western Districts at next month’s 60th Craven Week in Middelburg, Mpumalanga.
Adding to the prestige, both schools have produced British & Irish Lions players in recent years in Outeniqua’s Duhan van der Merwe and Oakdale’s CJ Stander.
On paper, the Bulle of Oakdale may seem favourites, especially after their emphatic 60–8 win in last year’s fixture. However, this year the Kwaggas from Outeniqua will enjoy home-ground advantage – a factor that historically plays a decisive role in this heated rivalry.
In fact, the last time the away side claimed victory was in 2015, when Oakdale edged Outeniqua 24–17 in George. That Oakdale side included future first-class players like Adré Smith, HP van Schoor, and Darren Adonis.
Outeniqua’s last away win in Riversdale came in 2012 with standout players like Duhan van der Merwe, Warrick Gelant, and Dewald Human.
This year’s Oakdale team will feature several returnees from last year’s rout, including fullback Reinhardt Viljoen, prop Kai Pratt, inside centre Christian Vorster, wing Lee-Winn Pretorius, and flankers Jannes Snyman and Liam Lightly.
Both teams enter the derby with just three losses each this season. Oakdale fell to Grey College (10–25), Rondebosch Boys’ High (7–10), and Paarl Gimnasium (9–29). Outeniqua’s defeats came at the hands of Menlopark (24–34), Grey College (18–29), and Noordheuwel (32–35).
The rivalry is further enriched by the legacy of professional talent produced.
Oakdale has given South Africa Springboks such as Pedrie Wannenburg, Meyer Bosman, Johann Muller, and JC Janse van Rensburg.
Outeniqua’s alumni include Manie Libbok, Warrick Gelant, Marco Wentzel, Johan Heunis, and Faan Conradie.
In another King Price Derby Series clash Rondebosch Boys’ High will face Wynberg Boys’ High in an encounter which will give them a good idea if a second successive Southern Suburb Slam is possible.
A feat Rondebosch last achieved in the late 90’s before last year’s slam. A Southern Suburb Slam is achieved when one of the four southern suburbs’ schools win all six their matches during the season.
Before Bosch’s slam last year, it was Wynberg Boys’ High in 2014 to achieve this momentous feat.
There are another two King Price Derby Series encounters this Saturday as the Northwood Knights hosts Hilton College in Durban and unbeaten Westville Boys’ High looks to extend their streak at home against Kearsney College.
