When the Saints come marching in

A battle of the saints will take place this weekend in Pretoria and Johannesburg, giving independent schools much to talk about.

In the match of the day, St Alban’s College hosts their annual Old Boys Day, where they will be facing up against their rivals St Stithians College, where the First XV kicks off at 14:00 on Moshate Field.

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These two sides met earlier in the season, where St Stithians were on the winning side of things, taking that match 31-24 on their home-turf.

The Hoops will be rearing to go, having beaten Northcliff High School last weekend at home. Captain Luke Webber filled his pockets with a hat-trick of tries, making light work of Northcliff’s defences and will want his personal form to inspire his team.

Last weekend’s combination of Tumelo Mohale and John-Joshua Steenkamp in the two centre positions really added some impetus to the backline, creating some fantastic running opportunities for the rest of the backline.

St Albans have made a few changes to this weekend’s starting XV, with Luke Saas returning to the fullback position after missing out last weekend due to an injury. He has a massive boot on him, and with his physical stature can hold his own.

St Stithians, going into this match, have had to make plenty of changes from the side that started earlier in the season. A string of injuries and sickness has meant that several regulars will be missing out.

Nthabeleng Mafole, starts for the first time in the important fly-half position. He was recently named in the Lions’ u17 side.

The team’s front row has remained consistent with Keabetswe Mapukana, Braedon Hollingworth and Branden Lightfoot all looking to perform. They will be up against a strong St Alban’s forward pack, who have scored several tries this season from mauls close to the try line.

Historically, there have been some close matchups between the two schools, and on the odd occasion, things on the field can get heated, making for some great entertainment.

The Hoops will be eager to get one back on their rivals, with the home support and the backing of a passionate group of old boys, they would back themselves to win.

St Benedict’s College will be taking on St David’s Marist in another Founder’s Day clash, with the match taking place in Illovo, Johannesburg.

St Benedict’s will fancy themselves going into this match as favourites, having put in some top performances against St Albans and Parktown recently, with fullback Onkgopotse Monaheng and Sabelo Shangase showing their class.

Although losing to St John’s last weekend, the side were in front most of the match but struggled to keep The Blues from winning 34-22.

St David’s has had a tough season, struggling to find form and wins against some of the other all-boys schools. Captain Mariano Paolantonio will need to lead from the front as St Davids look to take home a win on the special occasion.

Teams:

St Alban’s College: 15 Luke Sass, 14 Michael Rider, 13 John-Joshua Steenkamp, 12 Tumelo Mohale, 11 Nkosi Malaza, 10 Druan Visage, 9 John Verster, 8 Daniel Bouwer, 7 Matthew Price, 6 Patrick Weir, 5 Llyod Schneeberger, 4 William Von Broembsen, 3 Craig Milne, 2 Luke Webber, 1 Cody Petersen.

St Stithian’s College: 15 Lebo Molofo, 14 Ben Parkinson, 13 Sean Strydom, 12 Gabriel Hore, 11 Tinashe Gweshe, 10 Nthableneg Mafole,  9 Aidan Appalsamy, 8 Tashinga Chingonzo, 7 TiagoKostov, 6 Ethan Jacobs, 5 Thato Madziwanyika, 4 Ryan Zvinavashe, 3 Keabetswe Mapukana, 2 Braedon Hollingworth, 1 Branden Lightfoot.

St Davids Marist: 15 Teegan Rossini, 14 Luke Bailey, 13 Theo Fonternal, 12 Isaac Amadasun, 11 Cameron Simmonds, 10 Jayden Jagga (vice-captain), 9 Joshua West, 8 Tristan Grimett, 7 Daniel Fellingham, 6 Max Nader, 5 Jack Brady,4 Ryan Daye, 3 D’Andre Mushonga, 2 Brandon Archer, 1 Mariano Paolantonio (captain).

St Benedict’s College: 15 Onkgopotse Monaheng, 14 Ntelezi, 13 Raymond Hassim, 12 Uche Ejike, 11 Nathi Beda, 10 Jason Pengelley, 9 Sabelo Shangase (captain), 8 Jason Cutler, 7 Thando Jadezweni, 6 Byron Smit, 5 Declan Murphy, 4 Luke Carr, 3 Victor Goncalves, 2 Michael Mundove, Daniel Walsh (vice-captain).

Fixtures:

12:15 – St Davids Marist vs St Benedict’s College; 14:00 – St Alban’s College vs St Stithians College.