Bethlehem Derby
It's a two-kilometre walk from Hoërskool Witteberg to Hoërskool Voortrekker in Bethlehem, and that is what Witteberg will be doing on Friday and Saturday for the annual derby between the two schools, an FNB Classic Clash.
There will be great excitement in the town as these two schools meet in many activities over the two days.
In recent years Voortrekker have been in the ascendant. In fact they have won the last six years in succession and only once was it a narrow victory.
2008: Voortrekker won 39-10
2009: Voortrekker won 46-14
2010: Voortrekker won 24-7
2011: Voortrekker won 25-24
2012: Voortrekker won 74-5
2013: Voortrekker won 36-3
Season so Far
This season Voortrekker have had a much better season than Witteberg.
Voortrekker have won nine matches this year, Witteberg three. Not only that but they have ventured further afield, playing at the Oakdale Rugby Week in Riversdale and against Diamantveld of Kimberley.
Results against Common Opponents
AHS Kroonstad (Rooiskool): Voortrekker won 43-27; Witteberg lost 20-19
Fichardtpark: Voortrekker won 31-17; Witteberg won 27-24
Goudveld: Voortrekker won 38-3; Witteberg lost 25-17
HTS Welkom: Voortrekker won 47-0; Witteberg won 40-11
Hentie Cilliers: Voortrekker won 23-24; Witteberg lost 38-29
Jim Fouché: Voortrekker lost 34-22; Witteberg lost 46-5
Welkom Gimnasium: Voortrekker won 37-17; Witteberg lost 28-7
Representative Teams
The players of both schools are eligible to play for the Griffons.
Craven Week
Voortrekker: Boeta Vermaak, Toffie van Zyl, who is not playing on Saturday, Niel Janse van Rensburg and Tokkie van Zyl
Witteberg: -
Academy Week
Voortrekker: Tiisetso Madonsela, Phillip Mare, Clinton Moloi
Witteberg: Louis Spershott
Take scores and selection to higher teams into account and you would tend to back Voortrekker - not that a rugby match is ever a foregone conclusion.
2013 Experience
Of the team that won handsomely last year, Voortrekker four back from the starting XV - Tiisetso Madonsela, Boeta Vermaak, Tokkie van Zyl and Henko Naudé - and another four who were on the bench - Niel Janse van Rensburg, Reitometsi Mofokeng, who is still on the bench this year, Junior Oosthuizen and Lethole Mokoena
Witteberg have three back from last year - Wiaan Pittendrich, Louis Spershott and Christiaan de Jongh - with three who were on the bench last year - halfbacks Tiaan Schoonraad and Dean Bubb, and Renier de Kock, who is back on the bench.
Teams
Witteberg: 15 Reinhart Chapman, 14 Wiaan Pittendrich, 13 Gerhard van Huysteen, 12 Louis Spershott, 11 Tsepi Mofokeng, 10 Tiaan Schoonraad, 9 Dean Bubb, 8 Aristeo Desiderio, 7 Christiaan de Jongh, 6 Jandré Schoeman (captain), 5 Ryno Badenhorst, 4 Pieter Jordaan, 3 Xolani Jacobs, 2 Stephan Jordaan, 1 Handus Botha
Replacements: 16 Liamzer James, 17 Barry Welman, 18 Nico Dorfling, 19 Nico Nel, 20 Darryl Wilson, 21 Renier de Kock, 22 Ruco Beneke
Bethlehem Voortrekker: 15 Lethole Mokoena, 14 Tiistetso Madonsela, 13 Donovan Bouwer, 12 Boeta Vermaak, 11 Apin Odendaal, 10 Tokkie van Zyl, 9 Phillip Mare, 8 Jelly Oosthuizen, 7 Ruan Swart, 6 Clinton Moloi, 5 Henko Naudé, 4 Nico Snyman, 3 Niel Janse van Rensburg, 2 Brandon van Staden, 1 Helgard van Heerden
Replacements: 16 Janco van Zyl, 17 Ruan Stanissis, 18 Pieter Kleynhans, 19 Christof du Plessis, 20 Reitometsi Mofokeng, 21 Etienne Becker, 22 Harm Venter, 23 Edrich Victor
Date: Saturday, 2 August 2014
Venue: Hoërskool Voortrekker, Bethlehem
Expected weather conditions: Sunny with a high of 19°C , dropping to -2°C.