Rondebosch vs SACS in the spotlight on an action-filled weekend
Early-season festivals have wrapped up, including many of the country’s foremost tournaments. Now, teams are settling into a familiar rhythm for the next couple of months.
In the Western Cape, there will be a plethora of tasty fixtures to look out for on the coming weekend, including two massive derbies, as well as league matches that could shape the complexion of the season for several sides.
On Friday night, the southern suburbs’ powers – South African College High School (SACS), Rondebosch Boys’ High, Wynberg Boys’ High, and Bishops – will all be in action.
SACS travels to face Rondebosch at the Western Province Cricket Club, while Bishops hosts Wynberg at the Woodlands Astroturf.
The clash against ‘Bosch will be SACS’s first since retaining their Hibbert Shield title a fortnight ago at Grey High School in Gqeberha.
Coach Sam Holmes‘s charges defeated Parel Vallei High 5-2 in the final to equal Paul Roos Gimnasium‘s record of three Hibbert Shield titles.
They’ll be buzzing ahead of the Rondebosch clash, but will also be fully aware of the threat the men in navy and yellow pose. Under coach Waseem Domingo, Rondebosch has handled its business quietly and efficiently this season.
After returning from a tour to The Netherlands, where they participated in the European Hockey Club Organization (EHCO) Tournament, ‘Bosch took on Wynberg and convincingly won that clash 4-1.
A week later, their league fixture against Fairmont High was called off due to bad weather after leading 4-0 at the break. In their most recent outing, they dominated the Langa Hockey Club.
Rondebosch will feel confident that they can push SACS hard this year and overturn a hefty 1-7 loss they suffered last August.
Bishops, meanwhile, enter their clash against Wynberg brimming with confidence.
After a much-improved showing at the Hibbert Shield, coach Ryan Julius’s side picked up a comfortable 5-1 win in midweek against Reddam House Constantia.
In Wynberg, they’re up against a well-coached outfit that’s hurting after going down 2-3 to Fairmont High in their last outing.
Speaking of Fairmont, they’ll be keen to continue their impressive run in the Premier League when they lock horns with Hoërskool Durbanville on Friday night.
Apart from the big scalp of Wynberg, coach Bryce West‘s side has also beaten Langa 2-1, and toppling Durbanville would add a cherry to the top of the cake.
Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) returns to action with a double dose of action, taking on Somerset College on Friday and Durbanville on Saturday morning.
Coach Michael Baker‘s side will fancy themselves in both outings. After a disappointing penalty shootout exit in the semi-finals at the Hibbert Shield, they will want to quickly add two ticks to the winning column before they face Rondebosch and SACS in the coming weeks.
Somerset, meanwhile, will be eager to build on their Winelands Cup triumph and could pose a few questions for the PRG outfit.
In other matches, Stellenberg will test their mettle against DF Akademie in a friendly match.
Worcester Gimnasium will be aiming to bounce back from a 1-5 loss to Paarl Boys’ High when they host Brackenfell High, and Paarl Boys’ will travel to Bloemfontein for their annual interschools derby with Grey College.
FIXTURES
Friday, 8 May
16:00 – Bellville vs Milnerton
18:00 – Paul Roos vs Somerset College
18:30 – Grey College vs Paarl Boys’ High
18:30 – Durbanville vs Fairmont High
19:00 – Stellenberg vs DF Akademie
19:00 – Bishops vs Wynberg
19:10 – Rondebosch vs SACS
19:15 – Worcester Gimnasium vs Brackenfell
Saturday, 9 May
11:15 – Paul Roos vs Durbanville
