More than just Faure Street
Believe it or not, life goes on as usual despite the intense focus on the Boishaai vs Gim clash at Faure Street on Saturday 4 August 2012. In fact, spectators will probably note an increased sense of urgency in every team as coaches tweak combinations ahead of the end-of-season interschools climaxes.
The second round of southern suburbs derbies leads the way, Rondebosch welcoming SACS and Bishops heading up the wooded hills to Wynberg.
The Rondebosch game should go the visitors’ way, based both on current and longer-term form. The ’Bosch have struggled manfully throughout the season with comparatively little to show for it, while SACS have at least managed to get their ducks in a row at several stages during the campaign.
That said, two weeks ago Clinton van Rensburg’s lads did beat HTS Drostdy, who in turn edged SACS 19-18 in Worcester last Saturday; so the threat they pose cannot be underestimated. However, the Newlands unit has just seemed a little more together – for want of a better word – and will be delighted to have SA Under-18 squad centre Leighton van Wyk back in the fold.
While the result might be in some doubt, one thing you can bank on down Canigou Avenue way is that SACS flyhalf Chris Smith will become the first-ever Young Ikey to pass the magical 200 points-in-a-season mark. Let’s just hope that the game provides other more exciting reasons for remembering it!
Wynberg may well feel that their season has deteriorated into something of an anticlimax, such were the expectations surrounding this crop, but they have absolutely no reason to feel this way. Coach Gus Leslie and his assistants have produced a truly memorable side whose great structured approach has never failed to pose a threat to its opponents, all of whom have expressed their unreserved admiration for the quality of rugby they encountered.
It is this singularity of purpose that should see them do the double over a Bishops side who would probably list summer as their upcoming highlight. Thoughts of salvaging what has been a year of poor results are now giving way to ensuring a more successful 2013. The Platinum Blues still run the ball and show their characteristic energy in the forward exchanges, just – to the frustration of everyone concerned, especially, one suspects, themselves – never all at the same time.
Wynberg should take this one comfortably.
Paul Roos face a stiff test against Drostdy out in Worcester. Fair enough, the Donkeys have lost at Rondebosch and barely squeezed past SACS at home over the last fortnight, but the Young Maties are expected to be without SA Under-18 cap Chad Solomon, full-back Jason Worral and burly flank Ramone Samuels.
It is the last-mentioned who will be particularly sorely missed as two of Drostdy’s major assets are loose forwards Izak Burger and Hanro Liebenberg. Without strict policing, they could wreak havoc on a less-than-stable Paul Roos midfield.
Of course, on the other hand, the Drostdy backline has shone about as much as a lump of coal this year, leaving the door open to the Maroon Platoon’s backs if they obtain enough clean possession.
Up in the SWD, it’s Quaggas vs Struisies time in Oudtshoorn.
Without showing disrespect to Oudtshoorn, it is overwhelmingly unlikely that they will derail this rampant Outeniqua team, who have racked up 82 tries at the rate of 5½ per game this season. The George side may have cruised home last year, but they are still smarting from the humiliation of the shock 20-22 defeat they suffered in 2010.
The teams enjoyed very different victories at home last Saturday. The Quaggas trampled Framesby 39-8, while the Struisies beat Die Brandwag 26-24, but only after finding themselves 0-24 down at half-time!
Punt will not be relishing their short trip inland to play Oakdale just outside Riversdale. The Bulle have had a pretty iffy year by their high standards, but went a long way towards redeeming themselves when they sent arch-rivals Marlow packing 39-10 last weekend.
There’s nothing awe-inspiring scheduled for the Boland on Saturday, but a couple of the games could conceivably ratchet up excitement levels.
Out in Moorreesburg Dirkie Uys must fancy their chances against a slightly vulnerable Piketberg side. The Tigers were afforded the luxury of being able to rest several key players for last week’s casual stroll against Goodwood’s Fairbairn College, while Chris van der Merwe’s boys had to sweat to claim a 22-22 draw out at Bonnievale a week, this barely a week after an acrimonious defeat at Augsburg.
Across the plains – and the odd mountain – Robertson entertain Langenhoven High, a small school, but one that forever punches well above its own weight with laudable success. The visiting Dasse may well have the forwards to take this one, but must restrict the flow of ball to the pacy home backs.
Unfancied tiny schools they may be, but don’t kid yourself: when Bonnievale pitches up in Swellendam, they are going to be doing so with a pretty impressive record to uphold. While the Swellies are still rebuilding from the amazing feats of 2010, they always seem to find that extra bit of oomph when it comes to a local encounter. Should be a thriller!
Next weekend is a long one, which means a few tasty morsels, three in particular, make the midweek menu.
The first one is the local clash between Boland Landbou and Hugenote out at the Farm on Tuesday 7 August.
It really looked like the Blackies were ready to challenge the The Farm Lads’ dominance in this fixture over recent years – until two weeks ago, that is. First came a dismaying defeat in Ceres and then the dreaded injury bogey struck big time. Suddenly, the pride of Wellington find themselves without their SA Under 18 lock, captain Gideon Koegelenberg, and down to just two of their hitherto-settled backline.
If that situation doesn’t improve radically before match day, they are facing a world of pain against Pottie Potgieter’s legion, who will be aiming to end an up-and-down winter with a home victory against Oakdale on Saturday 18 August.
On Wednesday 8 August in Caledon the highly successful Overberg side comes to grips with Mossel Bay’s Punt in what has become an annual affair.
The corks are still popping in the casino town after local star François Esterhuyzen deservedly became their first-ever SA Under 18 cap last Saturday. Taking recent results into account, it doesn’t look like the locals will have any reason to sober up (figuratively shpeaking) after this game.
Also on Wednesday the crack Strand side will be able to test its mettle against Wynberg at the latter’s Hawthornden field. The Helderbergers have a youthful – and useful – back division which should at the very least keep the Premier A league team honest.
All fixtures for Saturday 4 August 2012
(Home teams first)
Augsburg Gym vs Vredenburg
Boland Landbou vs De Kuilen
Brackenfell vs Hugenote
DF Malan vs Milnerton
Dirkie Uys vs Piketberg
Durbanville vs Strand
Hawston vs Hermanus
Hopefield vs Velddrif
HTS Drostdy vs Paul Roos
Jan van Riebeeck vs Monument Park
JG Meiring vs Labori
Kasselsvlei vs HTS Bellville
Montagu vs Charlie Hofmeyr
Montana vs Hexvallei SS
Oakdale vs Punt
Oudtshoorn vs Outeniqua
Paarl Boys’ High vs Paarl Gym
Robertson vs Langenhoven High
Rondebosch vs SACS
Stellenberg vs Bellville
Stellenbosch vs Overberg
Swartland vs Tygerberg
Swellendam vs Bonnievale
Worcester Gym vs Bredasdorp
Wynberg vs Bishops
Tuesday 7 August
Boland Landbou vs Hugenote
Brackenfell vs DF Malan
Gerrit du Plessis vs Langenhoven High
Montana vs Bonnievale
Piketberg vs Wesbank
Porterville vs Charlie Hofmeyr
Vredenburg vs Hopefield
Wednesday 8 August
Barrydale vs Swellendam
Langeberg vs Ashton Sec
Overberg vs Punt
Swellendam Sec vs Barrydale
Wynberg vs Strand
Thursday 9 August
Bredasdorp vs De Kuilen
Framesby vs Oakdale
By Tony Stoops