Wildeklawer to produce all the excitement again in the City of Diamonds
KIMBERLEY. – There are more than enough reasons to get excited about the annual Wildeklawer-tournament that kicks off today in the City of Diamonds.
This year will be the 13th edition of this prestigious tournament that started back in 2009.
This year will see 20 of the country’s top rugby schools treat the spectators at Diamantveld as well as the viewers on SuperSport Schools to he best form of the game there is – schoolboy rugby.
The main match of the first round of fixtures will see Grey College and Garsfontein face each other in a match that promises to produce some fireworks. Both teams are still unbeaten this season.
The rugby factory from Bloemfontein recently took the scalp of Outeniqua (19-17) in George. The Kwaggas are celebrating their centenary this year and boasts a team that won’t be easily beaten again this season .
Garsfontein is probably the other team that are vying for a pace between the top three school teams this year in South Africa. The Turquoise Bears’ most impressive victory so far this season was against Affies (45-38).
Grey have never lost against Garsfontein and will without a doubt be the favourites for the encounter. Garsies proably have the toughest itinerary ever for a team at Wildeklawer. They will face the Kwaggas on Monday.
The battle between Grey’s eighthman, JJ Theron, and his direct opposition, Abrie van der Westhuizen, promises to be one of the highlights. Van der Westhuizen scored the try that secured his side’s victory over Paul Roos Gimnasium last year after the hooter during Wildeklawer.
Theron would have the backup of Jean-Henri Smith and Keegan Scholtz as part of the loose-trio. Divan Brits and Zander Lourens will be backing-up Van der Westhuizen’s effort.
The opening match of the festival will be between Paarl Boys’ High and Glenwood. Boishaai’s head coach, Sean Erasmus, previously coached the Grasshoppers. A fact that always add to the spice for clashes between the two schools.
The first match tomorrow promises to be a physical encounter. Boland Landbou and Monument’s Wit Bulle is always an encounter where the players put everything on the line.
Monnas’ fullback, Jody Schambreel, as well as their scrumhalf, Ceano Everson, is exciting players when on attack. Their captain and flanker, Morne Venter, will lead his side’s physical charge.
Clashes between the Wit Bulle of Affies and the Bulle – yes the Bulle from Oakdale Landbou also always delivers on its promise.
But like every year all the games put together by Wildeklawer will add to the spectacle that is probably the top schoolboy rugby festival in the world.
Catch all the action live on SuperSport Schools (www.supersportschools.com).
Fixtures for the first two days of the tournament:
Friday , 28 April 2023
19:00 – Paarl Boys’ High vs Glenwood
Saturday, 29 April 2023
09:10 – Boland Landbou vs Monument
10:20 – Framesby vs Welkom Gimnasium
11:30 – Stellenberg vs Maritzburg College
12:40 – Diamantveld vs HTS Drostdy
13:50 – Paul Roos Gimnasium vs Durban High School
15:00 – Affies vs Oakdale Landbou
16:10 – Outeniqua vs EG Jansen
17:20 – Paarl Gimnasium vs Helpmekaar
18:30 – Grey College vs Garsfontein
