Titanic struggle looms for St Andrew’s, Grey in Makhanda

Despite contrasting form lines this season, the fierce rivalry that has defined recent clashes between St Andrew’s College and Grey High should ensure another blockbuster first-team rugby showdown in Makhanda on Saturday (15:00).

The last two encounters between the traditional Eastern Cape rivals have been decided by a single point, underlining just how little separates the teams when they meet on the field. Grey edged home 29-28 in 2024 before St Andrew’s turned the tables with a dramatic 28-27 victory last year.

Those results have added another chapter to one of the province’s great schoolboy rugby rivalries, and there is little doubt that the battle for bragging rights will again be fiercely contested this weekend.

On current form, Grey will start as the favourite. Their only defeats this season have come against powerhouse opposition in Affies, Paul Roos Gymnasium and Wynberg Boys’ High, while they have also produced several commanding victories.

Captain and centre, Ciaran Killian, has been a key figure in midfield, combining leadership with an ability to create momentum on attack, while Grey’s forwards have shown plenty of cohesion and physicality. Hooker Micah Wessels has been a major beneficiary of their strong mauling game, crossing for a number of important tries this season.

St Andrew’s, meanwhile, endured a difficult opening to their campaign with six consecutive defeats before getting back on track against Marlow Agricultural. They built further confidence with an emphatic win over Cambridge last weekend, but will need to raise their intensity again against their arch-rivals from Gqeberha.

Fullback Will Stevens will play an influential role at the back, while the work rate of forwards James Badenhorst, Josh van Zyl and Sivatho Mjali will be crucial if the hosts are to match Grey physically up front.

Given the history between the schools, however, form is unlikely to count for much once the whistle blows, with another close and compelling contest expected.

Another exciting battle will take place in Cradock when Marlow Agricultural host Humansdorp outfit Nico Malan (14:30).

A year ago, Nico Malan scored a notable 26-7 win, but that sort of scoreline is something of a rarity between the two sides, and this weekend’s showdown can be expected to go down to the wire.

For various reasons, neither team have seen much action lately, and a lot will depend on who manages to slip into a rhythm early on.

Kingswood, after a recent slip-up against Hudson Park when they lost 25-24, will be looking for better things against Port Rex in Makhanda (13:30), while Brandwag should start as favourites against Westering at Westering (13:30).

The teams:

St Andrew’s College vs Grey High School from 15:00 in Makhanda: 

St Andrew’s College: 15 Will Stevens, 14 Max de Wet, 13 Avu Bangazi, 12 Alexander Stewart, 11, Qhawe Madikizela, 10 Luke Chorley, 9 Ethan Hayes, 8 James Badenhorst, 7 Warrick Campbell, 6 Kyle Schwechheimer, 5 Josh van Zyl, 4 Harry Horwood, 3 Sivatho Mjali, 2 Ross Faber, 1 Mark Ewing

Grey High School: 15 Keanu Linch, 14 Noah Mbizi, 13 Ciaran Killian (captain), 12 Anfred Jansen, 11 Sikhu Xego, 10 Nathan Trytsman, 9 Santino Goniwe, 8 Zola Yeye, 7 Cole Bennett, 6 Sibonelo Stuurman, 5 Joandre van Jaarsveld, 4 Jean Nel, 3 Juan Potgieter, 2 Micah Wessels, 1 Daniel Naudé.

Kingswood College vs Port Rex THS from 13:30 in Makhanda: 

Kingswood College: 15 Kungawo Badli, 14 James Mackenzie, 13 Sinawo Bukula, 12 Sam Dunne, 11 Chad Roodt, 10 Christopher Zimmerman, 9 Ryan O’Sullivan, 8 Luniko Marivate, 7 Josh Mackenzie, 6 Sizo Klaas, 5 Ross Thompson (captain), 4 Sandi Peter, 3 Junior Ndlazi, 2 Charl du Toit, 1 Sithenkosi Qabaka

Port Rex THS: No team sheet received from Port Rex THS.

Marlow Landbou vs Nico Malan from 14:30 at Willie Meyer Park in Cradock: 

Marlow Landbou: 15 Herlu Schoeman, 14 Charles Marais, 13 Matthew Lieberum, 12 Johannes Schoombee, 11 Jurgens van Staden, 10 Cole Hurter, 9 Logan van Vuuren, 8 GD Jordaan, 7 AC du Toit, 6 CJ Botha, 5 JG de Lange, 4 Sinqobile Siyengo, 3 AJ Raubenheimer, 2 Herman le Roux, 1 Marcus September.

Nico Malan: 15 Leighton Lawrence, 14 Reagan Stone, 13 Jehu Geswindt, 12 Kian van Schalkwyk, 11 Kobus Strydom, 10 Cristiano Goeda, 9 Lleyton Mienie, 8 Sima Ozah, 7 Merwe van der Merwe, 6 Callie de Lange, 5 Luciano Botha, 4 Ruben van Dijk, 3 Ruan Nel, 2 Janu Janse van Rensburg, 1 Reghardt Conradie.

Westering vs Die Brandwag (Kariega) from 13:30 in Gqeberha: 

Brandwag: 15 Rezanio Petrus, 14 Dewandre Witbooi, 13 Clevelon Deysel, 12 Brindley Brandt, 11 Darren Gardener, 10 Egan George, 9 Zanick Carolus, 8 Hannes Klopper, 7 Divan Kotze, 6 Erik Rudman, 5 Luan Greeff, 4 Justin Swanepoel, 3 Casper Steenkamp, 2 Errol Te Brugge, 1 Francu Fouché.

Westering: No team sheet received from Westering.