CC: Florida vs Marais Viljoen
On Saturday Hoërskool Florida meet Hoërskool Marais Viljoen in an FNB Classic Clash at Hoërskool Florida.
It should be a fairly even game as both schools have had erratic seasons which make any prediction hazardous.
Florida have played 10 matches, winning six. Their most notable victories are those over Eldoraigne and Monnas, whom they usually beat however strong the Krugersdorp school is and this year it's not as strong as usual. Marais Viljoen of Alberton has played eight, winning five. Its most noteworthy win was over Transvalia. They have just two opponents in common.
Against common opponents:
Parktown: Florida won 34-11, Marais Viljoen 26-17
Monument: Florida won 28-25; Marais Viljoen lost 24-8
Florida has two players in it side who played for the 2011 Golden Lions Craven Week side - scrumhalf Eric Botes, flyhalf C-Than Moos, who was at fullback at times, and wing Tshepo Mooki. That suggests that Florida should have the upper hand in the match.
The teams:
Florida: 15 Steven du Plessis, 14 Tshepo Mooki, 13 PJ Rheeders, 12 Bouke Gouws (vice-captain), 11 Ché Stevens, 10 C-Than Moos, 9 Eric Botes, 8 Jodé Mostert (captain), 7 Phillip van Vuuren, 6 Sabello Dlamini, 5 Jacques du Preez, 4 Gerbrand O’Kelly, 3 Kyle Kruger, 2 Waldo Esterhuizen, 1 Clinton Theron.
Replacements: 16 Pieter Williamson, 17 Joseph Dweba, 18 Morné Strydom, 19 Brandan Rieck, 20 Erwin Harris, 21 Armand Goosen, 22 Jaco Barnard.
Marais Viljoen: 15 Brandon Bothma, 14 André Lombaard, 13 Tyler Blanc, 12 Stephen Erasmus, 11 Juan Odendaal, 10 Dwayne le Roux, 9 Chase May, 8 Andries Brits, 7 Rahul Maharaj, 6 Mauritz Pienaar, 5 Herman du Plessis, 4 Cullen Reyneke, 3 Handré Griesel, 2 Henco Saaiman, 1 Wian van Niekerk.
Replacements: 16 Tiaan Muller, 17 Tiaan Hitzeroth, 18 Brandon Morkel, 19 Jeandré Volschenk, 20 Vusi Nkosi, 21 Dewald van der Merwe.
Date: 2 June, 2012
Kick-off: 12.00
Venue: Hoërskool Florida
Expected weather conditions: Sunny with a high of 17°C, dropping to 6°C
Referee: Eduan Nel (Golden Lions Referees' Society)