Grey Go North

On Monday, they played Paarl Boys' High in a magnificent schools match at the Wildeklawer tournament in Kimberley, losing just 29-25 when their centre was tackled out at the corner as he tried to score the winning try.

Now unbeaten Grey College, always a powerful side, come up from Bloemfontein with 28 rugby teams besides various other groups.  Bloemfontein will be a ghost city on Saturday, it seems.

It is a must watch match. If it's too far to walk, it will be live on television - SuperSport channel 210.

Both schools have great rugby traditions. Both have teams that combine speed and strength. Both teams have great determination to win. If performance at Wildeklawer was anything to go by, Affies looked the more purposeful side.

Affies have also had the tougher opposition in their 10 matches. Of the teams that they have played, six have been on the FNB Top 20 this year. On the other hand only two of Grey's opponents - Garsfontein and Oakdale - have been on the FNB Top 20.

The two sides have as yet no opposition in common.

At present  Affies are second on the FNB Top 20, Grey fifth. They are clearly top sides in South Africa.

Experience

In this match last year Affies had eight players in the starting XV who are there again this year - Carel Koch, Louritz van der Schyff, Christian Strydom, Phillip Krause, Regardt du Plessis, Henk Pretorius, Schalk Erasmus and Cabous Eloff. In addition this year's half backs Ruan de Swardt and Jack Hart were on the bench last year as was prop Arno van Wyk.

Grey have four back -  Marnus Boshoff, Dian Schoonees, Janco van Tonder and Gideo Beukes. Two more were on the bench last year - Rewan Kruger and hooker Matthew Wessels.

Higher Honours

SA Schools

Cabous Eloff, the Affies loosehead, played in three matches for South African Schools in 2015.

Craven Week 2015

Affies: Louritz van der Schyff, Regardt du Plessis, Schalk Erasmus, Cabous Eloff.

Grey: Rewan Kruger, Gideo Beukes.

Academy Week 2015

Affies: Ruan de Swardt

Grey: Marnus Boshoff

Grant Khomo Week

Affies: Marnus Potgieter, Jaco Labuschagne.

Grey: David Kriel, Janco van Heyningen and, Christopher Schroeder.

At the Wildeklawer tournament, Affies looked  the stronger side. Even in their defeat to Paarl Boys' High they looked more impressive than Grey's victory over Oakdale.

1st XVs

Affies: 15 Tristan Janse van Vuuren, 14 Carel Koch, 13 Marnus Potgieter, 12 Louritz van der Schyff, 11 Christiaan Strydom, 10 Ruan de Swardt, 9 Jack Hart, 8 Jaco Labuschagne, 7 Phillip Krause, 6 Regardt du Plessis, 5 Henk Pretorius, 4 Dylan du Preez, 3 Arno van Wyk, 2 Schalk Erasmus (captain), 1 Cabous Eloff.

Grey College: 15 David Kriel, 14 Henk Cilliers, 13 Janco van Heyningen, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Marnus Boshoff, 10 Christopher Schreuder, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Dian Schoonees, 7 Juan Venter, 6 Wihan Kloppers, 5 Jaco de Beer, 4 Jaco van Tonder, 3 Gideo Beukes (captain), 2 Matthew Wessels, 1 Tristan Spies

Date: Saturday, 7 May 2018

1st XV kick-off: 15.00

Venue: Affies' A Field

Expected weather conditions: Clear with a high of 25°C, dropping to 8°C.

Referee: Renier Coetzee (Blue Bulls Referees' Society)

Rugby Programme for 7 May 2016

AHS A Field

08.00: Under-14A

09.00: Under-15A

10.00: Under-16A

11.15: 4th XV

12.30: 3rd XV

13.45: 2nd XV

15.00: 1st XV

AHS B Field

08.00: Under-14F

09.00: Under-14E

10.00: Under-14D

11.00: Under-14C

12.00: Under-14B

13.00: 9th XV

AHS C Field

08.00: Under-15F

09.00: Under-15E

10.00: Under-15D

11.00: Under-15C

12.00: Under-15B

Loftus B Field

08.00: 5th XV

09.00: 7th XV

10.00: 6th XV

11.00: 8th XV

12.00: 10th XV

Loftus C Field

08.00: Under-16F

09.00: Under-16E

10.00: Under-16D

11.00: Under-16C

12.00: Under-16B

Results Down the Years

Grey Bloem vs Affies

1953: Grey won 3-0

1954: Grey won 9-3

1955: Grey won 19-0

1956: Draw 6-6

1957: Grey won 22-0

1958: Grey won 14-6

1959: Grey won 14-3

1966: Grey won 25-11

1967: Grey won 22-0

1970: Grey won 16-11

1971: Grey won 19-0

1973: Grey won 10-3

1974: Grey won 14-6

1992: Grey won 24-3

1993: Draw 26-26

1994: Grey won 13-6

1995: Grey won 37-13

1996: Affies won 25-3

1997: Grey won 19-9

1998: Draw 23-23

1999: Grey won 17-13

2000: Draw 17-17

2001: Draw 12-12

2002: Grey won 46-21

2003: Grey won 33-3

2004: Grey won 32-29

2005: Affies won 27-20

2006: Affies won 18-13

2007: Grey won 47-10

2008: Grey won 31-12

2009: Grey won 30-13

2010: Grey won 23-6

2011: Grey won 16-11

2012: Affies won 35-29

2013: Affies won 37-31

2014: Grey won 42-31

2015: Affies won 29-18