East London Classic Clash
Cambridge, and old (1879 foundation) school in central East London plays Hudson Park in an FNB Classic Clash on Saturday.
This is just the second FNB Classic Clash between the two school. The result last year was a big win for Hudson Park, 34-3. And the signs are that they will win again this year. But then in such a match, that could be quickly changed. There was after all that day in May when Cambridge drew with mighty Selborne - a draw as good as a win any day. And Hudson Park had a draw with Queen's College who this year are mightier than mighty Selborne - again a draw as good as a win.
The Season
Hudson Park have play ted 16, won 9, drawn 1 and lost 5. Their best result was a draw with Queen's but they have played some tough opposition from round the country - Grey High (PE), Diamantveld (Kimberley) and Marlow (Cradock). Cambridge have stayed closer to home.
Results against Common Opponents
Dale: Cambridge lost 31-8, Hudson Park 24-10
Grens: Cambridge won 46-10, Hudson Park 41-14
Port Rex: Cambridge won 21-10, Hudson Park 32-14 and 64-0
Queen's: Cambridge lost 38-7; Hudson Park drew 13-13
Selborne: Cambridge drew 10-10; Hudson Park lost 20-7
Stirling: Cambridge lost 26-7 and won 32-17; Hudson Park won 19-11 and 41-8
There is in fact not a lot to choose between the two.
Higher Honours
Hudson Park, whose Old Boys include the Ndungane twins, the only twin Springboks in rugby history, have several players who went to Craven Week in this controversial year when the Border Rugby Union decided (late) it would not allow schoolboys who were due to go to other provinces to go to Craven Week unless they committed to Border. The Hudson Park player affected was Siphamandla Bingwa who hails from Stutterheim and is heading for the Sharks Academy in 2013.
Those who went to Craven Week are prop Johannes Jonker, eighthman Nathan Knoetzer, who is on the bench, but then Luke Brown is a player to watch, flyhalf Buka Ntsaluba and hooker Bryce Rennie
The captain, speedster Aya Dlepu, was in the SA Under-18 Sevens last year.
Hudson Park had two players in the Border side at the Grant Khomo Week for Under-16s - prop Ziphozakhe Hena and wing Yamkela Nyalambisa who will be playing in this match.
Cambridge has no representative players.
The teams
Cambridge: 15 Y Sigenu, 14 L Tutani, 13 S Rungqu, 12 L Mabece, 11 D Lundall, 10 R Hoole, 9 L Mdolwana, 8 L Badiyana, 7 J Davoren (captain), 6 J Reinecke, 5 K Borsah, 4 C Benito, 3 S Dyobiso, 2 S Mantantana, 1 K Kordonski.
Coaches: S M Welman, M van der Walt
Hudson Park: 15 Juan Hart, 14 Mitchelll Best, 13 Aya Dlepu (captain), 12 Buko Ntsaluba, 11 Yamkela Nyalambisa, 10 Dalu Dobela, 9 Kyle Hewett, 8 Luke Brown, 7 Darren Raats, 6 Ruan Black (vice-captain), 5 Fraser Beale, 4 Dylan Ball, 3 Johannes Jonker, 2 Bryce Rennie, 1 Mihlali Ntsikili.
Replacements: 16 Vuyisa Ulana, 17 Jason Ihlenfeldt, 18 James Bosch, 19 Nathan Knoetzer, 20 Arnu Black, 21 Craig Durheim
Coach: Dru Nass
Date: Saturday, 18 August 2012
Kick-off: 14.00
Venue: Cambridge High Schools
Expected weather conditions: A clear day with a bit of wind from the north, a high of 27°C, dropping to 16°C.
Rugby Programme
Scott Field
09.00: 14A
10.00: 15A
11.15: 16A
12.30: 2nd XV
14.00: 1st XV
B Field
08.45: 15B
10.00: 16B
11.15: 3rd XV
C Field
09.00: 14C
10.00: 4th XV
11.15: 14B