The Donkies are saddled up for the Worcester derby
HTS Drostdy has produced some of the most exciting attacking rugby in the country this season. In eight matches, they’ve averaged over 48 points per game, tallying 387 points.
They tackle Worcester Gimnasium on Saturday at 13:00. Last season’s rivalry clash finished 35-17 in favour of HTS Drostdy.
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While the Donkies are heavy favourites, Gim is not to be underestimated. They’ve hit their stride in recent weeks, winning three games in succession after losing their first six matches of the season.
The Donkies’ winning run is up to four on the trot. Their wings, Darren Makeza and Tristin Syster, when they last played three Saturdays ago, both bagged braces in a 40-14 victory over Hoërskool Hugenote (Wellington). Their match the following week, against Swartland, had to be called off due to flooding.
Flyhalf and inside centre Jano van Deventer has been a key component of their offensive prowess, creating and scoring tries with his skillful hands, boot and strong running. He’s also a sound kicker off the tee, making him a serious threat to Worcester Gimnasium’s chances of victory.
Gim’s left-wing Joyce Baningela has hit a purple patch in their recent matches. Last week, he scored two vital tries in their 43-36 win over Hugenote. The week before that, he notched a hat-trick in a 29-22 defeat of Brackenfell. Their outside centre, Björn van der Westhuizen, has also been in the mix lately. He twice made the dive for five against Hugenote.
A high-scoring try-fest is on the cards. While the Donkies head into the clash scoring close to a half-century of points a game, Worcester Gim, in their three recent wins, has not scored less than 31 points.
TEAMS
HTS Drostdy (likely): 15 Anwill Jacobs, 14 Tristin Syster, 13 Brent-Leigh Exstraal, 12 Willvino Paultin, 11 Darren Makeza, 10 Jano van Deventer, 9 Wernard de Villiers, 8 Simamkele Lahlekile, 7 Joniel Claasen, 6 N/A, 5 Jean-Louis Matthee, 4 Eugene Walker, 3 Jaden Stewart, 2 JP Lotriet, 1 Juann Jansen van Vuuren.
Worcester Ginnasium: 15 Matthew Fortuin, 14 Leagon Brooks, 13 Björn van der Westhuizen, 12 Bonga Allie, 11 Joyce Baningela, 10 Luciun de Bruyn, 9 Jerran Adams, 8 Amaan Adendorff, 7 Arthur Kana, 6 Sisekelo Dlamini, 5 Likhakha Mayeki, 4 Leighcon Du Plessis, 3 Reece Matthee, 2 Kieran Salie, 1 Anzio Brinkhuys.
