Classic Clash in Bethlehem

On Saturday, 21 July (2012) Witteberg march two kilometres or so across Bethlehem to rivals and near-neighbours Voortrekker for an FNB Classic Clash.

Last year's FNB Classic Clash at Witteberg was a thriller, Voortrekker winning 25-24 with a penalty with two minutes to go. The year before Voortrekker won comfortably, as they are expected to do this year. They are the strongest side in Northern Free State.

Season's results:

Bethlehem Voortrekker have played 10 matches and won them all. Witteberg have won one in six.

That suggests that Voortrekker will have the upperhand.

Results against common opponents:

Goudveld: Beat Witteberg 35-15

HTS Welkom: Beat Witteberg 33-28

Welkom Gimnasium: Beat Witteberg 41-3

AHS Kroonstad (Rooiskool) : Beat Witteberg , 45-22

Hoërskool Kroonstad (Blouskool): Witteberg won 29-12

Welkom Gimnasium: Bethlehem Voortrekker won 38-8

Hoërskool Kroonstad (Blouskool): Bethlehem Voortrekker won 81-10

Goudveld: Bethlehem Voortrekker won 62-14

AHS Kroonstad (Rooiskool): Bethlehem Voortrekker won 49-16

The discrepancy is great and suggests that Voortrekker have indeed the upperhand.

Player achievement:

Seven Voortrekker players played for the Griffons at this year's Craven Week - Sechaba Matsoele, Johan van Heerden, unior Smit, Oelof Stander, André Janse van Vuuren, Henco van der Westhuizen and Ernie Sumner. In addition two players played for Griffons Under-19 - Schalk Erasmus and Tjokkie Odendaal. Four players went to the Under-18 academy Week - Gerhard van Rooyen, Louis van der Walt, Meyer Maré and Wian van der Watt. That is 13 of the 15 in the starting XV.

This also suggests that Voortrekker have much the upperhand.

The teams:

Bethlehem Voortrekker: 15 Sechaba Matsoele, 14 Johan van Heerden, 13 Junior Smit, 12 Wian van der Watt, 11 Tjokkie Odendaal, 10 Meyer Maré, 9 Elof Scheepers, 8 Oelof Stander (captain), 7 Louis van der Walt, 6 André Janse van Vuuren, 5 Gerhard van Rooyen, 4 Schalk Erasmus, 3 Henco van der Westhuizen, 2 Drikus du Toit, 1 Ernie Sumner.

Replacements: 16 MotsitsI Lekoaba, 17 Palm Maree, 18 Tielman Malherbe, 19 Robert de Jongh, 20 Ruanco Pelser, 21 JC Moolman, 22 Cardo Meiring.

Coaches: Dawie Mathee, Hennie Pelster

Witteberg: 15 JC van Biljon, 14 Xola Jacobs, 13 Donovan Lourens, 12 Clive de Jongh, 11 Stephan Maree, 10 Gerhard Nel, 9 Tiaan Ferreira, 8 Tsepo Motsoeneng, 7 Hansie Crous, 6 Ludwig Swarts, 5 Jonathan Dedekind, 4 Michael Spershott, 3 Lambert Rautenbach, 2 George Steyn, 1 Stian Redelinghuys (captain).

Replacements: 16 Brandon van Staden, 17 Mpho Mazibuko, 18 Christiaan de Jongh, 19 Arrie Desidereo, 20 Rynardt Chapman, 21 Wiaan Pittendrich, 22 Gerhard van Huyssteen.

Date: Saturday, 21 July (2012)

Kick-off: 14.00

Venue: Bethlehem Voortrekker

Expected weather: Mostly sunny with a high of 15°C, dropping to 3°C

Rugby programme:

A Field

09.00: Under-14A

10.00: Under-15A

11.10: Third XV

12.20: Second XV

14.00: First XV

B Field

09.00: Fifth XV

10.00: Fourth XV

11.10: Under-14B

12.20: Under-15B