Preview – SACS vs. Rondebosch Boys’ High
Rondebosch Boy’s High, coming off a 50-point demolition of Tygerberg, host a SACS side coming off a morale boosting win over fierce rivals Bishops. The weather is predicted to be great and everything is set up perfectly for a spirited contest on the Rugby A-Field at noon on Saturday.
Rondebosch have started the season really well and have a well-balanced team that has the ability to ask a variety of questions of opposition defences. They have a number of big, powerful ball-carriers in the pack, most notably their skipper and No. 8 Ronnie Melck and powerhouse prop Kyle White. The rest of their pack have a sound work ethic and provide a good platform for their backs who have produced some magic in recent weeks.
Rondebosch are not scared to give the ball air and have scored an impressive total of 132-points in their last three games. Tyren Lee has been a revelation since moving one-out to inside centre and has been the catalyst for most of Rondebosch’s attacking play. Never to be outdone is fullback Khanyo Ngcukana who has the size, speed and ability to attack from anywhere on the park.
Rondebosch lost to Monument at the Maritzburg College 150th Festival but bounced back to convincingly beat a good Jeppe side on the final day. On their return they drew with Wynberg Boy’s High first up but have since gone unbeaten for three games.
Rondebosch have been steadily building up a head of steam and look ready, after a week off for a bye, to really kickstart their season with the business end of the term approaching.
SACS started the season dismally but have bounced back with two impressive performances. Having watched their first two outings only their most ardent supporters would have bet anything on them upsetting both Boland Landbou and Bishops.
Their team worked hard in defence last week against Bishops and made a huge number of tackles (131 in total). It was enough to see them win the game relatively comfortably on the scoreboard but it may have taken its toll physically. SACS will be looking to get their hands on the ball more on Saturday in order to impose themselves on their more fancied opponents.
SACS have lost to Pretoria Boy’s High and Paul Roos but having beaten Rondebosch twice last year won’t want to let their close rivals get back on top of them without a fight. SACS skipper Keagan Wheeler is in fine form and his battle with Tyren Lee should be well worth watching. His centre partner Richard Rodgers scored the winning try last week but will have his hands full trying to mark his opposite number, Clyde Martch, while keeping an eye on the dangerous Ngcukana.
It is going to take another monumental team effort from SACS to sneak a win against this Rondebosch team that was always going to be formidable given that they have thirteen players back from 2012.
Teams:
Rondebosch Boy’s High
TBC
SACS
15. Seb Roodt 14. Aidan Deary 13. Richard Rodgers 12. Keagan Wheeler (C) 11. Matthew Wadling 10. Shane Fourie 9. Michael Henning 8. Devon Barnard 7. Justin Williams 6. Yandisa Maqenukana (VC) 5. Justin Joubert 4. Dean Basson 3. Alexander Duckitt 2. Travis Raa 1. Joel MacQuene
Venue: Rugby A-Field (Rondebosch)
Time: 12pm
Referee: Marc van Zyl (WP Referees Society)
Weather: 13/20 °C Wind: 20km/h SE 0% Chance of Rain
