Rondebosch and Stellenberg aim to rebound, Hugenote visits Worcester Gim
When they meet in Bellville at 12:45 on Saturday, both Rondebosch Boys’ High and Stellenberg High will be aiming to rebound after suffering hefty losses last weekend.
‘Bosch tasted a 17-41 defeat at the hands of Paul Roos Gimnasium, while Stellies fell 7-29 at Paarl Boys’ High.
As the underdog, and playing on the Tinkie Heyns Field last year, the Jade Brigade scraped a narrow 23-22 win.
On this occasion, they’ll be the favourites at home. Wings Emilie Cilliers and Ralton Rhode will be hungry to get back to their scoring ways after being left frustrated by Boishaai‘s brilliant defence on Saturday.
Lock Juvan Burden is one of the best lineout jumpers in schoolboy rugby, and he has helped his side to collect a highlight reel’s worth of maul tries this season. The visitors will need to prepare themselves for Stellies’ relentless mauling. They will be tested in that area.
For ‘Bosch, Tyler Heyns, at inside centre and Eathon Williams, at flyhalf, are two playmakers who will have their work cut out for them against Stellies’ stout defence.
Rondebosch locks, Bertus Versfeld and Bjorn Morkel, will also be key players. They’ll need to steal a few lineouts if they are to limit the hosts’ momentum and try-scoring opportunities.
After losing their first six matches of the season, Worcester Gimnasium is aiming to make it three wins in three matches when they host Hoërskool Hugenote (Wellington) on Saturday, with kickoff commencing at 11:40.
The visitors head to Worcester fresh from a comfortable 64-17 victory over Hoërskool Hermanus.
Their only common opponent this season, thus far, has been Hoërskool Punt. Hugenote beat the Mossel Bay school 44-24, while Worcester Gim won 31-25.
Results like that, though, are not reliable indicators of the outcome of other matches. What the season’s records of Hugenote and Worcester Gim consistently reveal, however, is that Hugenote has scored more freely than Gim, even in matches that they lost.
Worcester Gim left-wing Joyce Baningela bagged a hat-trick in his side’s 32-29 victory versus Hoërskool Brackenfell two weeks ago, which was also the most points Gim has scored this season.
The home side will need to lift their game again on Saturday if they are to outscore Hugenote.
Hoërskool Brackenfell will be chasing a first win in three matches when they visit Hoërskool Strand. While Brakkies lost to Worcestor Gim last time out, their output of 29 points was their highest tally by seven points this season.
Last season, Strand won 45-17, and they’ll feel confident they can make it two in a row against Brackenfell on Saturday. While Brakkies pursue a first win in four matches, Strand will aim for their fourth victory in succession.
Scrumhalf Hayden Fortuin and flyhalf Yusuf Hannibal will be key playmakers for Brakkies. They’ll need to conjure up some magic to get the better of an in-form Strand side.
The hosts’ captain and eighthman Rohan Bezuidenhout has been a frequent try scorer throughout the season. He’s got an engine on him and racks up plenty of tackles and carries in every match
Bezuidenhout is no one-man army, though. Flyhalf Leathon Lewis offers a good boot, which Strand will need against Brackenfell.
TEAMS
Stellenberg High (likely): 15 Liam Jacobs, 14 Morné Pretorius, 13 Ralton Rhode, 12 Daniel Mongie, 11 Emile Cilliers, 10 Ethan van Biljon, 9 Daniel Steffen, 8 Yanos Molnar, 7 Carlo Brink, 6 Seth Coetzé, 5 Juvan Burden, 4 Jayden Young, 3 Janu Van Deventer, 2 Liam Joubert, 1 Uzair Blackenberg.
Rondebosch Boys’ High: 15 Shellvon Mabooi, 14 Jayden Wyngaard, 13 Kelebogile Nkwana, 12 Tyler Heyns, 11 Caleb Bell, 10 Eathon Williams, 9 Daniel Arendse, 8 Kirwan November, 7 James Pinnock, 6 Linakho Mehlomakulu, 5 Bertus Versfeld, 4 Bjorn Morkel, 3 Matthew Pelser, 2 Kwaza Gobingca, 1 Finn Watermeyer.
Worcester Gimnasium: 15 Matthew Fortuin, 14 Leagon Brooks, 13 Bjorn van der Westhuizen, 12 Bonga Allie, 11 Joyce Banningela, 1o Archihano Noble, 9 Jerran Adams, 8 Amaan Adendorff, 7 Arthur Kana (Captain), 6 Sisekelo Dlamini, 5 Likhaka Mayeki, 4 Leighcon du Plessis, 3 Reece Matthee, 2 Kieran Salie, 1 Anzio Brinkhuis.
Hoërskool Hugenote (Wellington): N/A.
Hoërskool Brackenfell: N/A.
Hoërskool Strand (likely): 15 Duval Roode, 14 Connor Julies, 13 Preston Tobias, 12 Waldo Newton, 11 Haydriane Pietersen, 10 Leathan Lewis, 9 Jason Hartogh, 8 Rohan Bezuidenhout (Captain), 7 DC Fourie, 6 Josh Lourens, 5 Schalk Beukes, 4 Robert de Villiers, 3 Brand Nel, 2 Benji de Reuck, 1 Duane Lombard.
