Kimberley's FNB Classic Clash

This week's FNB Classic Clash between Diamantveld and Noord-Kaap in Kimberley could be fiercer than most FNB Classic Clashes.

From time to time there has been bad blood betweeen the two - over participatiuon in the Wildeklawer Week for one and also aboiut participation in Craven Week where there were so many players from Noord-Kaap and the withdrawal of some players from Diamantveld. As often when there is much talk about matters such as these, the match itself turns out well-mannered.

Noord-Kaap certainm has the better standing.Currently they are eighth on the FNB Top 20 while Diamantveld are in a pressure group just below the Top 20. In other words both sides are amongst the best in South Africa with Noord-Kaap slightly  stronger.

The season

Both sides travel a great deal in search of opposition strong enough because they are by some way the strongest sides in Kimberley and suitable opponents are always a great distance away in the farflung Northern Cape.

Diamantvels have played 12, lost twop and drawn one. Their most noteworth victory was 17-16 over Outeniqua.

Noord-Kaap's only defeat in 13 matches was at the hands of Glenwood (18-13).

Results against Common Opponents

Marlow: Noord-Kaap won 44-8, Diamantveld 52-10

Sentraaal: Noord-Kaap won 76-0; Diamantveld lost 27-19

Oakdale: Noord-Kaap won 22-21; Diamantveld drew 19-19

Higher Honours

Both schools fall under Griqualand West.

Craven Week

Noord-Kaap: Gilbert Chalmers,  Nico Graaff,  Lehan Muller, Shaun Clarke, Zane le Roux, Vuyani Maqina, Charlton Koopman,  Len le Roux, Dawid Minnie, Xander Jonck, Joubert Steyn,  Luaan Dowie, Ryan de Wee, Hillford Clarke, Dimitrio Tieties, Doctor Booysen.  

Diamantveld: Boetie Makhetlo,  Granville Adams

Experience

There are players on both sides who played in the 2011 match when Noord-Kaap posted a record score for the match.

Diamantveld: Granville Adams,  Curtley Kiewiet, LP Potgieter, Pieter Scholtz,  Boetie Maketlo.

Noord-Kaap: Henco Olivier,  who was a fullback in 2011, Dawid Minnie,  Len le Roux, Zane le Roux, Gilbert Chalmers.

Prediction: While cold facts suggest a Noord-Kaap victory, a derby of this nature, charged as it is with so much emotion could go either way.

Teams

Noord-Kaap: 15 Luke Mason, 14 Dimitrio Tieties, 13 Dawid Minnie, 12 Len le Roux, 11 Hillford Clarke, 10 Henco Olivier, 9 Zane le Roux, 8 Shaun Clarke, 7 Luaan Dowie, 6 Nico Graaff, 5 Gilbert Chalmers, 4 Lehan Muller, 3 Doctor Booysen, 2 Xander Jonck, 1 Reginald Standers.

Coaches: Henk Brand, Schalk van der Merwe.

Diamantveld: 15 Granville Adams, 14 Dries du Plooy, 13 Jacqeus Nel, 12 Ruan Maritz, 11 Ronaldo Abrahams, 10 Deon van Zyl, 9 Curtley Kiewiet, 8 Hugo Strydom, 7 Adriaan Smit (vice-captain), 6 Jacques van Zyl, 5 Anton O'Reilly, 4 LP Potgieter (captain), 3 Pieter Scholtz, 2 Jean Mclean, 1 Boetie Maketlo

Replacements: 16 Stephan Malan, 17 Daniel van Zyl, 18 Nardus Bosman, 19 Thys Joubert, 20 Rudolph Greyling, 21 Reegan van der Vindt, 22 JD Swanepoel

Coach: MJ Smith

Date: Saturday, 11 August 2011

Venue:  Hoerskool Diamantveld

Referee: Marius Jonker (SA Referees)

Recent Results

2003: Noord-Kaap won 18-13

2003: Diamantveld won 24-22

2004: Noord-Kaap won 22-20

2004: Noord-Kaap won 13-10

2005: Diamantveld won 26-18

2006: Noord-Kaap won 11-10

2006: Diamantveld won 48-16

2007: Diamantveld won 17-11

2007: Diamantveld won 28-0

2008: Noord-Kaap won 27-24

2009: Noord-Kaap won 24-13

2010: Noord-Kaap won 21-12

2011: Noord-Kaap won 44-7