It's Struisiesdag in Oudtshoorn

It's the big transmontane derby in South Western Districts this Saturday when Hoërskool Outeniqua leave lush George and climb over the dramatic Outeniqua Pass into the Karroo to play their FNB Classic Clash with Hoërskool Oudtshoorn.

It's the Struisies against the Kwaggas. Played in George its Kwaggadag; played in Oudtshoorn its Struisiesdag. This year its Struisiesdag - and it could be a hard day for Bernie Deacon's side for Outeniqua are having a great year.

At present Outeniqua are fifth on the FNB Top 20, one of the very best teams in the land, able to compete with the very best. The Struisies are nowhere near that. In their last two matches Oudtshoorn just beat Die Brandwag of Uitenhage and lost to Punt of Mossel Bay while the Kwaggas beat Framesby (39-8) and drew with Paarl Gim.

Results against common opponents

PW Botha: Outeniqua won 40-0, Oudtshoorn 28-21

Punt: Outeniqua won 487-3; Oudtshoorn lost 22-10

Oakdale: Outeniqua won 32-7; Oudtshoorn lost 33-28

Langenhoven Gim: Outeniqua won 39-6, Oudtshoorn 16-11.

There is a difference.

Higher Honours

Outeniqua: Warrick Galant, Duhan van der Merwe

Craven Week

Outeniqua: Warrick Gelant,  Duhan van der Merwe, Dewald Human, Remu Malan, Dean van Vuuren, Tinus Vermeulen (captain), Jurgens Schoeman, Emile Cloete, Roche Steenkamp, Martin Oosthuizen, Stefaan Grundlingh, Geor Malan, Leighton Eksteen, Douw Schoeman

Oudtshoorn: Ganfried May, who will not be playing because of a broken arm, Dean January

14 to 1!

Academy Week

Outeniqua: G Nel, who is not playing

Oudtshoorn:  Jaden Onkers, Jolin Saptou, John Henry Schmitt

Outeniqua, it seems, have the greater talent.

It will be a big day for Bernie Deacon, the Struisies' charismatic coach, as he will end his long coaching career at the schoool, following a heart bypass operation during the season.

Prediction: It is a game one would expect Kwaggas to win comfortably but the Struisies will be going flat out to disrupt and surprise. Last year a close match was expected but the Kwaggas won 37-10 in George., But in 2010 Oudtshoorn sprung a surprise and won on Struisiesdag.

The Teams:

Outeniqua: 15 Marius Venter, 14 Michael Cloete, 13 Douw Schoeman, 12 Warrick Gelant, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Dewald Human, 9 Leighton Eksteen, 8 Tinus Vermeulen  (captain), 7 Lian van Schalkwyk, 6 Dean van Vuuren, 5 Jurgens Schoeman, 4 Emile Cloete, 3 Henco du Preez, 2 Roche Steenkamp, 1 Martin Oosthuizen  (vice-captain)

Replacements: 16 Marne Botha, 17 Stefaan Grundlingh, 18 Hendri Storm, 19 Geor Malan, 20 Remu Malan, 21 Hennie Barnard, 22 Wilhelm Esterhuizen

Coaches: Pieter Cloete; Martin Oosthuizen , Jacques Wolfaardt

Oudtshoorn: 15 Luther du Toit, 14 Jaden Onkers, 13 Divan Nel (vice-captain), 12 Dean January, 11 Wynand Kuhn, 10 Chris du Toit, 9 Matthew Nortjé, 8 Jolin Saptou, 7 John Church, 6 Godfrey Fourie, 5 Rossouw du Toit, 4 Stefan Lategan,  3 Marco Theron, 2 John-Henry Schmitt (captain), 1 Walt Böhme.

Coaches: Bernie Deacon, Jaco Ungerer, Hennie van Greunen

Date: Saturday, 4 August 32012

Kick-off: 14.30

Venue: Hoërskool Oudtshoorn

Expected weather conditions: 40% chance of rain with a high of 17°C, dropping to 6°C

Referee: G Roelfse (South Western Districts Referees' Society)

Rugby Programme

A Field

08.30: Under-14A

09.30: Under-15A

10.40: Under-16A

11:50: 2nd XV

13.00: Old Boys

13.35: Drummies

13.45: Parachutists

14.30: 1st XV

B Field

08.30: Under-16B

09.30: 3rd XV

10.40: Under-14B

11:50: Under-15B