Stirling welcomes Graeme, Daniel Pienaar visits Pearson
Graeme College will retrace their steps to East London for another showdown with rivals from across the Great Fish River when they clash with Stirling High on Saturday.
The Makhanda visitors were in the city two weeks ago and registered a hard-earned 27-22 win over Hudson Park. They know they will again have to be on their game to maintain their winning streak.
Stirling was given a stern test by Cambridge High last weekend, when they claimed a 24-17 victory in the annual derby. They will need to lift themselves again to deal with Graeme’s sharp attacking edge.
Coach Jonty van der Meulen‘s charges have won seven of their last eight matches and last week scraped home by a single point against the tough Nico Malan outfit, in Makhanda.
It’s probably true to say that Graeme has not yet produced the sort of complete performance they are seeking this season. While their attack was effective against Nico Malan, they leaked too many points for the coach’s liking.
However, they did post a decisive 50-10 win over Cambridge in their clash earlier in the season, and that is an indication of the difficult task that lies ahead for Stirling.
In Gqeberha, the action will take place on the Hannes Strydom Field, at Pearson, where the home side takes on HTS Daniel Pienaar.
The Tigers are unpredictable, and they won’t be taken lightly by Pearson, who are coming off a 19-19 draw with Framesby last Saturday.
This weekend, Keano Beling and Denilo Jordaan, who both scored against Framesby, swop positions, with Beling at flyhalf and Jordaan taking the No 15 jersey.
It shouldn’t diminish their attacking play at all, and Daniel Pienaar will need to have their defensive system on point to contain the exciting duo.
If the Tigers are able to achieve a degree of parity for most of the match, they are the sort of team capable of leaving their opponents’ fans in a state of despair.
TEAMS
Graeme College: 15 Lucritia Magau, 14 Inathi Planga, 13 Erin Nelson, 12 Torres Fourie, 11 Elgin Fanton, 10 Alden Walters, 9 Luke Doyle, 8 Ayola Mali, 7 Mikhulu Yolani, 6 Lwandle Dlamini, 5 Andrew Muir, 4 Akho Tonjeni, 3 Athi Bonga, 2 Lebo Mahasele, 1 Bagcine Njengele.
Stirling High: N/A.
Pearson: 15 Denilo Jordaan, 14 Matthew Els, 13 Sibu Mkhontwana, 12 Hanro Botes, 11 Siya Ncwadi, 10 Keano Beling, 9 Kadin Kretzmann, 8 Robert Harris, 7 Cameron Knoetze, 6 Siphe Myataza, 5 Stefan Kapp, 4 Mlibo Toni, 3 Jordan Bruintjies, 2 Nicholas Gillespie, 1 Joshua Pienaar.
Daniel Pienaar: 15 Ashley Liesing, 14 Chibuzo David, 13 Mauriano Pillay, 12 Luyanduhlanga Ndzimande, 11 Sibabalwe Kopisani, 10 Rozario Grootboom, 9 Jade Miles, 8 Stiaan Coertze, 7 Luphawu Manzine, 6 Etto Mapapu, 5 Josh Steyn, 4 Ntsako Maimela, 3 Clewin Papenfus, 2 Denovan Booysen, 1 Mihle Busakwe.
