Saints on tour, while Queen’s faces Port Rex at the Lions’ Den

St Stithians College is in the Eastern Cape for a showdown with Hudson Park High School on Friday afternoon. The game kicks off at 15:30.

With the Grey Festival getting underway next weekend, 4-6 May, both teams will be eager to build some confidence ahead of the Gqeberha event.

For Saints, Friday’s match will present an opportunity to acclimatise to the weather and field conditions on the Eastern Cape coast, while Hudson Park will be able to run the rule over a few players that they might want to give a run next weekend.

Hudson Park went down 12-50 to Graeme College in their most recent game, and they will be desperate to produce a strong response to that 38-point setback. Their efforts will be bolstered by their home field advantage.

Not too much should be read into their loss against Graeme. Hudson Park showed, when they beat a competitive Hoër Landbouskool Marlow 20-7 and ploughed through Cambridge 55-0 the week before, that they have plenty to offer.

St Stithians has had a break since an 11-47 defeat against Jeppe on 6 April, but they’ve also delivered some impressive performances, including thrashing St Benedict’s College 62-3 and beating St Andrew’s College 27-14.

Saints’ fullback Chris Anderson has delivered some fine all-round performances while, in the forward pack, prop Keabetswe Mapukana has also played quality rugby.

Meanwhile, in East London on Saturday, Port Rex Technical High School hosts Queen’s College at 13:30. The visitors beat Dale College 29-15 after trailing 0-12 in the early going last weekend.

Lutho Majavu was the only try scorer for Port Rex last time out, when they suffered a 10-49 defeat against Selborne College.

The Port Rex 1st XV is a young side, mostly made up of u17 players, but they’re always ready for a scrap and are an enthusiastic bunch, according to their coach Waldi van Greunen.

Despite the big loss last weekend, Port Rex showed plenty of fight, which Selborne coach Allan Miles recognised after the game. It would be a surprise if they shocked Queen’s, but Port Rex will hope their home ground lives up to its nickname of the ”Lions’ Den“.

Queen’s College will fancy their chances. They have some quality players in their lineup, and they reacted well against Dale when faced with adversity to come from behind and win the rivalry clash.

They have made a change on the right wing, where Ayathanda Mtyando takes over from Liyakha Sipunzi.

Dale College tackles Cambridge in another Eastern Cape match on Saturday, and they will be laser-focused on a return to winning ways.

Before their defeat at Queen’s last weekend, they showed their potential and their quality in a 32-25 victory over Grey High School, which held the unbeaten Wynberg Boys’ High to a draw in Cape Town on the same day.

Teams

Hudson Park: 15 Likho Gidi, 14 Msuthu Mbane, 13 Jacqyl Wright, 12 Luthando Yase, 11 Lebogang Madikane, 10 D’Angelo Snayers, 9 Landile Gidi, 8 Siyamthanda Klass, 7 Hlumelo Gobile, 6 Sibablwe Mtshini, 5 Luyolo Cweya, 4 Alwaba Yili, 3 Luyolo Nqeno, 2 Siqalo Gwagwa, 1 Linamandla Sonjani.

St Stithians College: 15 Chris Anderson, 14 Cullen Bradford, 13 Nthabeleng Mafole, 12 Gabriel Hore, 11 Sicelo Sakawuli, 10 Josh Meyer, 9 Aphelele Ngcuka, 8 Jono Caveney, 7 Tashinga Chingonzo, 6 Ross Turner, 5 Francois Botes, 4 Ryan Zvinavashe, 3 Jean Antony Eblen, 2 Ethan Jacobs, 1 Branden Lightfoot.

Port Rex Technical High School: 15 Hlulumi Tisane, 14 Qhayiya Silwani, 13 Owa Nqweniso, 12 Mivuyo Kongela, 11 Avela Dyubeni, 10 Indiphile Songqwaba, 9 Thando Maseti, 8 Lutho Majavu, 7 Siyolise Dubula, 6 Ty Fetting, 5 PK Susela, 4 Ethan Schoeman, 3 Arryn Sangerhous, 2 Mlibo Makapula, 1 Elijah Nkantweni.

Queen’s College Boys High School: 15 Mveli Mqulo, 14 Ayathanda Mtyando, 13 Thina Fenako, 12 Sbabalwe Magwebu, 11 Jameel Fleshman, 10 Siya Madzidzela, Ryan Denston, 8 Mbasa Mda, 7 Bulumko Manqina, 6 Jeffrey Niland, 5 Angalakha, 4 Aza Mdingi, 3 Abulele Bolotini, 2 Sinelizwi Deleki 1 Kuhlekonke Stuma.

Fixtures

Friday, 26 April 

Hudson Park vs St Stithians College 

u16A:  14:30 – Hudson Park vs St Stithians College (A Field)
u19A: 15:30 – Hudson Park vs St Stithians College (A Field)

Saturday, 27 April 

Port Rex Technical High School vs Queens College High School for Boys

u19A: 13:30 – Port Rex Technical High School vs Queens College High School for Boys