SACS against Paul Roos could be the game of the season
SACS and Paul Roos Gimnasium are probably the best two schoolboy hockey teams in South Africa this year.
They will face each other this Friday from 19:00 at the Maties Astro in Stellenbosch in a clash which is labeled as the Match of the Season.
SACS are the top schoolboy side this year, but have lost against Paul Roos (2-3) earlier in the season during the annual Hibbert Shield final in Gqeberha.
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SACS, under the coaching of James Peverley (ex-Grand Challenge men’s first team coach) have thus far had immense success. SACS, who come of a very successful European Tour, in April, has been in prolific form since their return, scoring 73 goals in their 13 matches since then, and conceding only 10.
Paul Roos is on a 20 game unbeaten streak so far.
Two of the most exciting forwards in the country, Litha Kraai (SACS) and Reuben Sendzul (PRG) will provide real entertainment with speed and skill. Zeke Hougaardt and Michael Roydon-Turner, the respective captains, will only be happy with the best efforts from their charges.
Paul Roos’s solid defense, led by Izak de Wet, Ryan Williams and Louan van Zyl, will do their utmost to keep Kraai, Rowan Davids and Dean Carrick out. The good defense and quick turnovers from Wayne Mandabva, Mike Cowan and the nippy Ozair Pillay, will put the Paul Roos midfield under pressure, but Josh Smith, Christo Swanepoel and Paul Roos (yes, his name), will keep them on their toes.
The battle between arguably the two best schoolboy goalkeepers, SACS’s SA Schools keeper, Rogan Stirk with his solid textbook defense, and the exiting Beor van Reenen from Paul Roos, playing a very unorthodox keeper role, will provide real entertainment and a challenge for the attackers.
Expect a fast-paced match from SACS, with a high press, quick turnovers, exceptional passing and a strong midfield, to put pressure on the Paul Roos defense. SACS’s attacking flair, will be pitted against the solid defense of Paul Roos in what promises to be an epic battle!
The nine goals conceded in their 20 matches thus far, gives testimony to their defensive prowess, whilst their 74 goals showing they are no slouches on attack.
The teams:
SACS: Rogan Stirk, Luke Salters, Mike Cowen (captain), Litha Kraai, Mikey Royden Turner, Josh Opperman, Ozair Pillai, Dean Carrick Liam Haupt, Ray Bonnet, Cole Allam, Steph Meyer, Rowan Davis, Wayne Mandabva.
Paul Roos Gimnasium: Beor van Reenen, Louan van Zyl, Joshua Smit, Jake Downie, Izak de Wet, Ryan Williams, Zeke Hougaard, Christo Swanepoel, Connor Morrison, Reuben Sendzul, Aon Hendricks, Barend Geldenhuys, Matthew Raymer.
Additional information by Short Corner
