Grahamstown Derby - College vs College

On Saturday Graeme College of Grahamstown go across town to St Andrew's for an FNB Classic Clash. It is one of South Africa's ancient schools games.

The two schools first played each other in 1886 when St Andrew's won. They have been doing most of the winning in recent years though last year's game in the wet was a close-run affair. St Andrew's won 10-7 but just before the end Graeme had a try turned down when they thought they had scored.

St Andrew's have just one player back who started in that match - fullback Chris Ford, who was then on the right wing and two players who were on the bench and are now starting - Justin Ferrant and Ethan Fortuin. Graeme have five players who started that close encounter - Sethu Pinini, who has moved from fullback to flyhalf, centres Xanti Sandi and Aviwe Matyumza, scrumhalf Angelo Frazer and this year's captain Gordon-Wayne Plaatjies.

This year St Andrew's have been playing tougher opposition than Graeme have and with more convincing results. Graeme lost to Nico Malan, Trinityhouse, Windhoek (44-0), Gill College of Somerset East and Cambridge. They beat Itembelihle Comprehensive.

St Andrew's had three noteworthy wins - over Pretoria Boys High, St Alban's and, just last weekend, Bishops. But they lost to Framesby, Michaelhouse (19-17) and KES who have them a hiding. The three teams who beat St Andrew's are all currently on the FNB Top 20.

In addition St Andrew's took their top 100 players on a three-day camp with the Investec International Rugby Academy which they hosted at St Andrew's. The players had an opportunity to work with Dick Muir, David Campese, John Allan and Ian Macdonald.

St Andrew's returned from their victory at the Cape with a team intact. Nobody suffered injury, and they should be set for another victory over keen Graeme.

The referee, Sindile Ngcese of Eastern Province Referees' Society, refereed this same match last year. He grew up in Grahamstown and was schooled at Nathaniel Nyaluza Secondary. He is a well respected as a referee with a bright future.

The teams:

St Andrew's: 15 Chris Ford (vice-captain), 14 Joshua Devis, 13 Ethan Fortuin, 12 Ryan Horne, 11 Matthew Alexandre, 10 Jason Baggott, 9 Justin Ferrant, 8 Stuart Stopforth, 7 Zuko Gcezengana, 6 James Myburgh, 5 James Pagden, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Martin Chandler, 2 Garrick Bowker (captain), 1 David Murray.

Coaches: Gerry Posthumus, Allan Miles

Graeme College: 15 Siweze Stamper, 14 Xhanti Mbane, 13 Abongile Hashe, 12 Aviwe Matyumza, 11 Xanti Sandi, 10 Sethu Pinini, 9 Angelo Frazer, 8 Gordon-Wayne Plaatjies, 7 Siya Nzuzo, 6 Ethan September, 5 Sipe Mhlom, 4 Lungi Dube, 3 Siyasanga Mthathi, 2 Lukhanyo Tshongweni, 1 Rowan Cobus.
Replacements: 16 Langa Nyanda, 17 Myron Nyanda, 18 Busanda Mabena, 19 Hilton Bailey, 20 Chumani Somyalo, 21 Iva Mbombela, 22 Dylan Schneigansz.

Coaches: Pierre Jacobs, Robin Stephenson

Date: Saturday, 5 May
Kick-off: 16.00
Venue: Lower Field, St Andrew's
Expected weather conditions: They say that Grahamstown has weather, not climate, but the weather looks good for Saturday - partly cloudy with a high of 18°C, dropping to 10°C.
Referee: Sindile Ngcese (Eastern Province Referees' Society)