Cradock host FNB Classic Clash

This year it's the turn of Gill College to travel and they go the 150km from icy Somerset East to icy Cradock for their 2012 FNB Classic Clash.

The two, both gabled and two of the oldest schools in the Eastern Cape with their roots around the middle of the 19th century have been playing each other since 1911. For both schools it's the biggest match of the year, a festive occasion.

The match between the two has been dubbed an Interschools since 1986. Gill dominated but Cradock came back to win in 2007 and 2008. Then Gill won again in 2009 and 2010 while Cradock won again in 2011.

Each year the match is keenly contested, and this year, it seems, will be no different.

The Seasons

Both teams lost to DF Malherbe of Port Elizabeth and both were well beaten by Union High of Graaff-Reinet. Gill have a win of Graeme College and an impressive win over Volkskool of Graaff-Reinet while Cradock beat Aliwal-Noord.

Higher Honours

Both schools fall within Eastern Province Country Distracts

Craven Week

Cradock: Chris Steyn

Gill: CJ Lombard, Renaldo Meyer, Juandré Fourie. Meyer and Fourie played in 2011 and 2012.

Academy Week

Cradock: JJ Bekker, Paul Janse van Vuuren, Ruan Stroebel

Gill: Senitemba Gaza

Experience

There are players back from last year's close encounter.

Gill:  Juandré Fourie, Camagu Bidli, Renaldo Meyer,  CJ Lombard, Zandré Schoonbee, Sinethemba Gaza,

Cradock:  Wessel du Randt,  Kyle Copeman,  Christiaan Steyn, Ruan Stroebel, JJ Bekker

Prediction: A silly thing to do in such a derby. After all, Gill were favourites last year and Cradock won 16-14 in Somerset East.

Teams

Cradock: 15 Ruben van Zyl, 14 Janus Oosthuizen, 13 Waldo van Zyl, 12 Paul Janse van Vuuren (captain), 11 Kiki Mkolwana, 10 Stehann le Roux, 9 Wessel du Rand, 8 Hannes Labuschagne, 7 Sive Mkolwana, 6 Kyle Copeman, 5 Simeon Kitchen, 4 Christian Steyn,  3 Akhona Nteta, 2 Ruan Stroebel, 1 JJ Bekker.

Coaches: Rudolph Weitz, Rouxan Engelbrecht

Gill: 15 Jacques Moolman, 14 Darren Nel, 13 Juandré Fourie, 12 Camagu Bidli, 11 Wouter Viljoen, 10 Renaldo Meyer, 9 Steven Hogg, 8 CJ Lombaard, 7 Zandré Schoonbee, 6 Christopher Marinus, 5 Tian Botha, 4 Danie Greyling,  3 Murray Buys, 2 Senitemba Gaza, 1 Siya Mpumlo.

Replacements: 16 Van Zyl Botha, 17 Prospero Mboya, 18 Jan-Erns Saayman, 19 Rayno Kruger, 20 Warrick Meaker, 21 Evert Joubert, 22 Sihle  Qumza

Coach: Morné Jonker

Date: Thursday, 9 August 2012

1st XV kick-off: 15.00

Venue: Hoërskool Cradock

Expected weather conditions: Cold. Partly cloudy with a high of 11°C, dropping to 4°C