CC: Klerksdorp vs Potch Gim
In an FNB Classic Clash in Klerksdorp Hoërskool Klerksdorp will be playing against Potchefstroom Gimnasium.
Potch Gimmies will be playing their second FNB Classic Clash in successive weeks. Last week they beat Potch Volkies 24-16. This weekend they stay in the North West, in the land of mealies and Sarie Marais, to take on Klerksdorp, who in previous years played Wesvalia in their Classic Clashes.
Klerksdorp ran out big winners over Wesvalia and probably start as favourites against Potch Gimmies as well. They have played more matches and against more testing opposition, including EG Jansen, Oakdale, Drostdy, Noord-Kaap, Transvalia and Eldoraigne.
The two teams have three opponents in common with somewhat surprising results.
Potchefstroom Volkskool: Gimmies beat them 24-16, Klerksdorp 41-8
Oakdale: Klerksdorp lost 44-11, Gimmies 25-10
Rustenburg: Klerksdorp lost 12-10 but Gimmies beat Rustenburg 27-16.
The Leopards team for Craven Week is taking shape and it looks as Klerksdorp will have outside centre André Esterhuizen and scrumhalf JG de Kock in the side. Esterhuizen and De Kock were at Craven Week in 2011 when they was among seven Klerksdorp players in the side. Gimmies will have lock Albert Lubbe and hooker Thomas Dreyer, in the Leopards side bound for Port Elizabeth. But then Volkies are likely to have four in the side and both Klerksdorp and Gimmies beat them.
It could just be a really close encounter.
The teams:
Klerksdorp: 15 Andries Hattingh, 14 Benri Marais, 13 André Esterhuizen, 12 Leonard Kietzmann (captain), 11 Edmund Hilder, 10 Robin Maré, 9 JG de Kock, 8 Jason Crafford, 7 Frankus Visagie, 6 Daniëll Bester, 5 Wian Vosloo, 4 Ferdie Pretorius, 3 Sias Koen (vice-captain), 2 Franco Slabbert, 1 Cohen Wortley.
Replacements: 16 Eric Smith, 17 Richard Larkins, 18 Doogan Louw, 19 Ian Anderson, 20 Bertus van Wyk, 21 Nico de Klerk, 22 Tiaan du Preez.
Coaches: Dirk Burger, Johan Louw
Potchefstroom Gimnasium: 15 Roy Harris, 14 Marchell Hattingh, 13 Jurgen Wessels, 12 Kerneels Swart (vice-captain), 11 Franco du Preez, 10 MP Pretorius, 9 Phillip J van Rensburg, 8 Werner Haman, 7 Janco Schutte (captain), 6 Hein Papenfus, 5 Albert Lubbe, 4 Riaan May, 3 Nantus Nortjé, 2 Thomas Dreyer, 1 Ian Compion.
Replacements: 16 AJ Badenhorst, 17 Jan Vos, 18 Tommie Joubert, 19 Janlu Bouwer, 20 Gideon van der Merwe, 21 Lemmer Vermooten, 22 Herman Jordaan.
Coach: Eben Verster
Date: Saturday, 2 June
Kick-off: 13.00
Venue: Hoërskool Klerksdorp
Expected weather conditions: Sunny with a high of 6°C, dropping to 19°C