George meets Pacaltsdorp in George

These two South Western Districts schools meet in George on Saturday in an FNB Classic Clash that could be more  evenly balanced than it first looks.

This one of two FNB Classic Clashes in George on Saturday - the one between Outeniqua and Oudtshoorn and this between George High and Pacaltsdorp, which is just south of George, virtually a suburb, another match of feverish interest.

Of the two schools George has been having the better season but both teams are expecting a tough struggle. George won 7-5 in the wet in George in 2011 and then 15-0 in the wet last year. This year the weather is expected to be good. Will it bring a change of fortunes?

Common Opponents

They have both played York, Parkdene and Kairos.

York: George drew 24-24; Pacaltsdorp lost 15-10

Parkdene: George won 16-15; Pacaltsdorp lost 24-0

Knysna: George won 34-7, Pacaltsdorp 5-3

Experience

George, who won well last year, have six players back from that team - Jaydon Fredericks, scrumhalf Valentino Koert, eighthman Dyren Mei, lock Lee-Curtis Maasdorp, prop Jeeman Adams, who started last year and is on the bench this year, and flyhalf Lee-Roy Pietersen, who was on the bench last year.

Pacaltsdorp have six back - centre Damian Fouché, flank Charlsin Japies and prop Lee-Roy Mintoor, who started last year plus eighthman Calvin Tarentaal, scrumhalf Orlando Pieterse and centre Curtley Marks, who were on the bench.

George are probably the favourites but on the day anything is possible. One thing is certain - there will be lots of excitement and a big crowd watching.

Teams

George: 15 Jaydon Fredericks, 14 Marcus Tarentaal, 13 Brandon Claassen, 12 Nathan Botha, 11 Vaughan Samson, 10 Lee-Roy Petersen, 9 Johnwin Buys, 8 Dyren Mei, 7 Devaren Lindoor, 6 Keanen Cook, 5 Lee-Curt Maasdorp (captain), 4 Terence Hewiitt, 3 José Blaauw, 2 Cyril Kellies, 1 Fadiel Luiters.

Replacements: 16 Alberto Petersen, 17 Jeeman Adams, 18 Zavian Claassen, 19 Valentino Koert, 20 Henrico Scott, 21 Bradley Muller, 22 Daylon Blaauw

Coaches: Colin Hoogbaard, P Petersen

Pacaltsdorp: 15 Fabian Jacobs, 14 Raymondo Louw, 13 Damian Fouché, 12 Curtley Marks, 11 Januari Draai, 10 Enrico Marais, 9 Orlando Pieterse, 8 Calvin Tarentaal, 7 Branwill Valtyn, 6 Bevin Witbooi, 5 Carolus Heyser, 4 Aybonga Moshani, 3 Shaun Booysen, 2 Charlsin Japies, 1 Leroy Mintoor.

Replacements: 16 Jeswayne Treunicht, 17 Lagan Canary, 18 Sylvester Parks, 19 Dudley April, 20 Bradley Luiters, 21 Juwayne Johnson, 22 Theo Dantyi

Coaches: Fanie Damons, Overton November

Date: Saturday, 3 August 2013

1st XV kick-off: 15.30

Venue: Rosemore Park, George

Expected weather conditions: Partly cloudy with a high of 21°C, dropping to 11°C