Preview – Itembelihle vs. Ndzondelelo

It is a big day in Zwide Township on the fringes of Port Elizabeth when Itembelihle Comprehensive School play Ndzondelelo in an FNB Classic Clash. And that is happening this Friday.

At Itembelihle there is a remarkable schoolmaster – The Pieterse who for years played top club rugby in Port Elizabeth and played for Eastern Province B. He has been coaching at the school for over 30 years and because of his energy and dedication Itembelihle is the best-known township school in South Africa, and just lately he has been receiving sponsorship which enables his players to play well beyond the confines of Port Elizabeth.

Itembelihle have to preserve the honour of the past in going for their eighth consecutive victory but the truth is that this has not been a great year for them. They have had scores of 50 or more scored against them by Die Brandwag and Daniël Pienaar of Uitenhage, and three Northvaal schools, Die Anker, Hoërskool Middelburg who play HTS Middelburg in an FNB Classic Clash on Saturday, and Merensky. They lost to Cambridge of East London, David Livingston (6-5) and, last week, Nathaniel Nyaluza.. But they beat Uitenhage 43-5.

Ndzondelelo’s results were not as alarming. They lost (in moderation) to Humansdorp and John Walton, beat Bertram and drew with Solomon Mahlangu.

This may just be Ndzondelelo’s year.

Teams

Itembelihle: 15 Akho Tshoba, 14 Chumani Mtimkulu, 13 Tyson Smondile, 12 Khanyiso Pini (captain), 11 Slovo Dzaka, 10 Anele Gans, 9 Ayabonga Mteto, 8 Mbulelo Shuwana, 7 Luntu April, 6 Sbongile Nqweniso, 5 Attie Faku, 4 Diva Busakwe, 3 Yanga Mpabanga, 2 Sedge Thysse, 1 Lungelo Mngomezulu
Replacements: 16 Ayabonga Stulu, 17 Aphiwe Ncate, 18 Lukhanyo Dekeza, 19 Beko Mazana, 20 Skululi Mafu, 21 Anele Jonga, 22 Annelisa Mahono, 23 Ayanda Made

Ndzondelelo: tba

Date: Friday, 24 May 2013
Kick-off: 15.30
Venue: Dan QeQe Stadiuum, Zwide.
Predicted weather conditions: Sunny with a high of 22°C, dropping to 13°C.

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Hannes Nienaber

Hannes Nienaber covered schools' rugby in South Africa for Volksblad, Beeld, and Rapport for 11 years. He also created the biggest school rugby website in South Africa - School of Rugby - back in 2007. It eventually morphed into Supersport Schools Plus. He still occasionally milks cows.

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