Big FNB Clash in Kroonstad

It's the match of the year in Kroonstad - Afrikaanse Hoërskool Kroonstad vs Hoërskool Kroonstad - Rooiskool vs Blouskool. Thousands of people turn out annually for the match that grips the town.


Last year Blouskool had a strong side, leading 13-9 with time running out when flyhalf François van Biljon dropped a goal and fullback Stefan Schoeman scored a try to snatch victory from the home side.

That was Rooiskool's fourth successive win. The year before that they won 9-0 when Van Biljon kicked three penalty goals. Van Biljon is playing again this year.


This year Rooiskool are firm favourites. They have had a much better season and are playing at home.


The season


A cursory glance at the season will tell how much better Rooiskool have been doing.


Results against common opponents


Sentraal: Blouskool lost 59-15, Rooiskool last 19-17

HTS Welkom: Blouskool lost 30-15; Rooiskool won 26-5

Bethlehem Voortrekker: Blouskool lost 81-10, Rooiskool 49-16

Witteberg: Blouskool lost 29-12; Rooiskool won 45-22


Representative players


François van Biljon was the only player from the two schools to go to Craven Week in a side dominated by Bethlehem Voortrekker, Hentie Cilliers and Welkom Gim.


Five Rooiskool players have been playing for the Griffons Under-19 team - Danie van Zyl, Morné Bester, JP Nel, Hendré van Zyl and François Poolman.


Three of the team went to the Academy Week - Bertiaan Luyt, Stephan O'Donovan and Phillip van Zyl - a whole front row.


Kobus Kleyn, Gerhard Otto and TP Kleynhans have been to the Grant Khomo Week.


That is a lot of provincial representation.


Prediction: It would be risky to bet against the Rooiskool.


The teams:

Rooiskool: 15 John Potgieter, 14 Armand Havenga, 13 Kobus Kleyn, 12 Danie van Zyl, 11 Jaco Combrinck, 10 François van Biljon (captain), 9 Aldert van Wyngaardt, 8 Charl de Coningh, 7 Gerhard Otto, 6 Morné Bester, 5 JP Nel, 4 TP Kleynhans, 3 Bertiaan Luyt, 2 Stephan O’Donovan, 1 Philip van Zyl.

Replacements: 16 Hendré van Zyl, 17 Francois Poolman, 18 David Rule, 19 Henry Searle, 20 Juandré Uys, 21 Robbie Petzer, 22 Nico Potgieter.


Blouskool: 15 PD Marais, 14 Louis Odendaal, 13 Charles Westley, 12 Reinhard Kleinhans, 11 Wimpie Strydom,  10 JM Janse van Rensburg, 9 Kobus Crous,  8 JC le Grange, 7 Tony Jardim, 6 Erik Rossouw, 5 Dawid van Oudtshoorn, 4 Corné Fick, 3 Thato Potsane, 2 Renier Moolman, 1 Willem Botes

Replacements: 16 Brandon McGrail, 17 Arno van Greunen, 18 Jaco van Oudtshoorn, 19 Jason Engelbrecht, 20 Alvin Westraadt, 21 Corné Khun, 22 Divan Swanepoel


Date: Saturday, 28 July (2012)

Kick-off: 13.15

Venue: AHS Kroonstad, Rooiskool


Recent winners:

1998: Blouskool

1999: Blouskool

2000: Rooiskool

2001: Rooiskool

2002: Blouskool

2003: Draw

2004: Blouskool

2005: Blouskool

2006: Rooiskool

2007: Blouskool

2008: Rooiskool

2009: Rooiskool

2010: Rooiskool

2011: Rooiskool