Port Rex to challenge Graeme in Makhanda
Graeme College will return to the scene of their earlier triumphs this season when they host a competitive Port Rex outfit on the Somerset Field, in Makhanda, on Saturday.
Both teams have shown promising form this season and it should be an exciting showdown as they seek to build on a solid start to the schools’ programme.
Graeme, though, under the guidance of Jonty van der Meulen, will be hurting after a defeat at the Standard Bank Grey Rugby Festival against Hilton College, where, the coach acknowledged, they made too many errors.
“That put us under pressure and we were not at our best, so we will be looking to get back on track this weekend,” he said.
Van der Meulen also acknowledged that they face a tough challenge. “Port Rex have had a very good start to the season and we will have to be up for the game,” Van der Meulen reckoned.
“They are an extremely dangerous side in broken play, so we will aim to go the other way and keep it as tight as possible.”
Earlier this year, Graeme recorded home wins over HTS Daniel Pienaar, Die Brandwag, and St John’s College. Now, Van der Meulen said, they would be aiming for greater consistency in their overall play.
“We have scored some good individualistic tries, but we have been working on greater cohesion in the team and holding onto the ball, building phases, through which we can hopefully score some team tries,” he explained.
Port Rex coach Waldi van Greunen is pleased with his side’s season to date, which has brought them five wins from eight matches.
“The three we lost were against Dale (3-8), St Charles College (15-19), and St Stithians (17-19), with the games being decided in the last couple of minutes.
“The losses have hurt but we have taken valuable lessons and hope that we can build on the pre-season we have had.”
He knows that they face a daunting task on Somerset Field, despite the happy memories of their last match at the venue when they thrashed Woodridge 73-0.
“Graeme College has looked really good so far, and they are dangerous with the ball in hand, and have some game-breaking players,” Van Greunen said.
“We expect to be tested in the wider channels and also in the transitions.”
Kick-off on Somerset Field is at 13:30.
