FNB Classic in Graaff-Reinet
Match Preview
Union High and Volkskool, near neighbours, play in an FNB Classic Clash on Saturday, a match which will be televised.
The television broadcast will begin at 11.50 on SS!/MNet.
The year's results suggest that it will - yet again - a close encounter. The two sides have been meeting since 1922 and it is, bar a year or two, always close.
It is a great day for the beautiful town of Graaff-Reinet as the two schools and hordes of supporters head for the Botanics Ground in the town. It is after all the oldest Interschools match in South Africa, preceded only by the Paarl affair.
It started Friday, 4th August, when the golf teams of the two schools competed The came tennis, hockey, chess, debating, quiz and rugby till the climax on Saturday, 12 August, starting at 07.45 and building up to the 1st XV match at mid-day. This match will be televised live on SS1/MNet from 11.50.
Apart from the usual refreshment stalls, hospitality boxes will be available on the east side of the field. Box-holders are allowed invite up to nine friends.
The season's results suggest that it will be close
Results in 2005
Volkskool
Volkskool beat Langenhoven Gim 12-6
Volkskool beat Despatch 12-6
Stirling beat Volkskool 18-15
Volkskool beat Andrew Rabie 28-7
Volkskool beat Spandau High 10-5
Volkskool and Newton Tech drew 10-10
Volkskool beat Bredasdorp 18-12
Volkskool beat Cillie, 22-17
Volkskool beat Hangklip, 21-19
Volkskool beat Burgersdorp 18-10
Gill College beat Volkskool 21-7
Union High
Union High beat Alexander Road 34-16
Union High beat Stellenbosch High School 38-0
Union High beat Aliwal North 13-5
Union High beat Muir College 23-14
Union High beat Middelburg 92-5
Union High beat Pearson 32-7
Union High beat Winterberg v Union High 11-13
Union High beat Hudson Park 15-5
Graeme College beat Union High 36-17
Union High beat St Andrew's School 51-7
King Edward VII beat Union High 30-29
Union High beat Victoria Park 18-8
Union High beat Cradock 12-6
The only player from either school to go to Craven Week was wing Baphiwe Mfundisi of Union High. Eastern Province Country Academy Week team included André Bezuidenhout, Gareth Light and Warren Minnaar of Union High and Iaan Fourie of Volkskool.
Does all this point to a Union High win? You wouldn't bet on it, would you?
For more information about Union High, click here.
For more information about Volkskool, click here.
For a profile of the Union High captain, click here.
For a profile of the Volkskool captain, click here.
For a list of results since 1922, click here.
Teams:
Volkskool: 15 Martinique Koopman, 14 JP De Villiers, 13 Bartho Theron, 12 Shaun Kleynhans, 11 Daniel Verster, 10 Riaan du Toit, 9 Iaan Fourie (captain), 8 Etienne Degenaar, 7 Marnus van der Walt, 6 Wicus Wessels, 5 Jacques Smith, 4 Cristiaan Reynolds, 3 Eben van Staden, 2 Jarred Briscoe, 1 Tulani Jack
Union High: 15 Ricardo Maqabangqia, 14 Sirethemba Madikane, 13 Oviweyo Masamanzi, 12 Zwelakhe Sodladla, 11 Baphiwe Mfundisi, 10 Dylan Schafer, 9 Mathew Miller, 8 Zibee Stegmann, 7 Jaen-Reese Meyburgh, 6 Robert Kingwill, 5 Warren Minnaar, André Bezuidenhiut, 3 Sakhile Mnci, 2 Gareth Light (captain), Simphiwe Grootboom.
Date: 12 August 2006
Kick-off: 12.00
Televsion: SS1/MNet from 11.50
Venue: Botanics
Expected weather conditions: Clear with a high of 15°C and a light wind - perfect for rugby.
Referee: Mlungiseli Mdashe (Eastern Province)