Boys' High host Bishops

The first time Bishops met Paarl on a rugby field was in 1884, but then both were playing in the Grand Challenge. They first met as Schools in 1929 when Bishops won 35-8. That will not be the score this Saturday on the Brug Street ground at Paarl.

Bishops have not always enjoyed playing at the Brug Street ground because they enjoy a field with greater width for their expansive brand of rugby.

Paarl Boys' High are a great power in South African rugby. Last season the first XV were unbeaten and in fact they have won their last 26 matches. This year they have won all five of their matches without looking quite as powerful as they did last year.

They had comparatively close encounters with Helpmekaar (24-17), Nelspruit (27-11) and Outeniqua (29-27) - when they turned anxious defence into attack and a try in the corner by speedy fullback Gianni Lombard scored in the corner and then converted from far out to produce the narrow victory.

Bishops have not been having as good a season. They beat St Andrew's, DHS and, coming from behind, Brackenfell and drew 20-all with Westville. But the wheels came off at the Saints Easter Festival when they lost 0-44 to Bishops. The nil is an unusual score for Bishops.

Experience

Of the current Paarl Boys' High side, several achieved higher honours last year. Big lock Salmaan Moerat played for South African Schools. He and No.8 Khanya Ncusane were in the highly successful Western Province Craven Week side. Flank Charl Serdyn played for the Academy Week team, and Thaakir Abrahams and Franco Horn played for Western Province at Craven Week. In addition wing Urgene Johannes, flyhalf Rayhaan Lombaard and prop Reece Bezuidenhout played in the successful first XV last year.

For Bishops, Lubelo Scott and JP Smith played for the Western Province Academy Week team. They played in last year's first XV and so did Seb Prentice and flyhalf James Macdonald.

Rugby Programme, April 16

Paarl Boys' High vs Bishops

A Field                

09.00: Under-16A                         

10.10: Third XV           

11.20: Second XV          

12.30: First XV                                                 

B Field

08.00: Fourth XV                    

10.20: Sixth XV vs Bishops Fifth XV                    

C Field                                                                                       

08.00: Under-15A                      

09.00: Under-14A           

10.00: Under-16E vs Bishops C           

11.10: Under-16C vs Bishops B

12.20: Under-16F vs Bishops D

D Field

08.00: Under-14E vs Bishops D

09.00: Under-14C vs Bishops B

11.00: Under-14D vs Bishops C

E Field

08.00: Under-15E vs Bishops C

09.00: Under-15C vs Bishops B

10.00: Under-15F vs Bishops D

1st XVs

Paarl Boys' High: 15 Gianni Lombard, 14 Urgene Johannes, 13 Handri van Heerden, 12 Gerdré Ferreira, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 Rayhaan Lombard, 9 Michael Visser, 8 Khanya Ncusane, 7 Francke Horn, 6 Charl Serdyn, 5 Ewie Loubser, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Adam Neethling, 2 Daniel Jooste, 1 Reece Bezuidenhout.

Replacements: TBC

Bishops: 15 Brandon van der Westhuizen, 14 Murray Bruce, 13 Seb Prentice, 12 Lubelo Scott, 11 Ross Goodwin, 10 James Macdonald, 9 Harry Makin, 8 Jean Pienaar (captain), 7 Christian Stehlik, 6 Ghaalieb Kenny, 5 Luke Viljoen, 4 Alasdair Jewson, 3 JP Smith, 2 Jason Hofmeyr, 1 Zico Oaker.

Replacements - from: Clyde de Beer, Mukisa Mujulizi, Ross Doyle, Daniel van der Valk, Matt Norton, Reece Meyer, Tristan Hermans.

Date: April 16

First XV kick-off: 12.30

Venue: Paarl Boys' High Field in Brug Street, Paarl

Expected weather conditions: Hot. Clear with a maximum of 30°C and a minimum of 16°C