Pretoria visits Pietermaritzburg
Two of South Africa's top rugby-playing boys' schools meet on iconic Goldstone's when Maritzburg College and Affies meet on Saturday.
It is a match Affies usually won but this year has been a bumpy ride for them and College may well be in with a good chance.
At present College are ranked 14th on the FNB Top 20, Affies 20th. Not that that is a huge difference.
Season So Far
College have played 15 matches, winning 11, drawing two and losing two. They have met three Top 20 opponents - losing to Wynberg and Glenwood and beating Michaelhouse (25-24).
Affies have played 11 matches, winning six and losing five. Of the other top 20 teams they have played they beat Selborne and Oakdale and lost to Waterkloof, Monnas, HTS Middelburg, Paarl Gim and Grey Bloem. The last was a thrilling match which Grey won 42-31.
The only opponents they have in common are KES. College drew with them 25-all but Affies beat them 38-10.
Representative Players
Affies' boys are eligible to play for the Blue Bulls, College's for KwaZulu-Natal
Academy Week
Affies: Carlo de Nysschen, Gavin Foster, Juan Basson, Ruan Roelofse, Dale Hendricks
Maritzburg College: Kudei Munangi, Hayden Tharrat, Mas Mazwi, Disi Dlamini
Craven Week
Affies: Eduan Keyter, Eduan Lubbe, Eddie Fouché
Maritzburg College: Xolisa Guma
SA Trials
The only player from the two schools to go to the SA Schools trial is Affies' fullback Eduan Keyter. But because the trials are on Saturday in Kempton Park he will not be able to play against College in Pietermaritzburg. His absence is a huge blow to Affies as he is such an attacking weapon.
In addition Affies have five players missing through injury - prop Reynhard Goosen, locks Ruben van Heerden and Juan Basson, flank Vic Meyer and utility back Henco Jordaan.
Teams
Maritzburg College: 15 Matt Kriel, 14 Xolisa Guma, 13 Marcell Coetsee, 12 Jordan Koekemoer, 11 Byron Watson, 10 Mac van der Linde, 9 Matt Seba, 8 Daryn Goodson, 7 Slade Stuart, 6 Hayden Tharratt, 5 Wian Jacobs, 4 Renard le Roux, 3 Disi Dlamini, 2 Masikane Mazwi, 1 Tiaan Steyn
Affies: 15 Pieter Coetser, 14 Jan van der Merwe, 13 Ryno Lourens, 12 Christiaan Beyers, 11 Janco Booysen, 10 Eddie Fouché, 9 Carlo de Nyschen, 8 Eduan Lubbe, 7 Ruan Roelofse (captain), 6 Gavin Foster, 5 Human Bodenstein, 4 Pierre Pienaar, 3 Strauss Koekemoer, 2 Kobus du Plessis, 1 DP du Plessis
Date: 26 July 2014
1st XV kick-off: 13.50
Venue: Goldstone's
Expected weather conditions: Partly cloudy becoming cloudy with a 40% chance of rain, a high of 17°C and a low of 8°C.
Rugby Programme
Goldstones:
08.00: 5th XV
09.10: 4th XV
10.20: Under-16A
11.30: 3rd XV
12.40: 2nd XV
13.50: 1st XV
Snows
08.00: 9th XV
09.10: 8th XV
10.20: 7th XV
11.30: 6th XV
Nicholsons
08.00: Under-16E
09.10: Under-16B
10.20: Under-16C
11.30: Under-16D
12.40: Under-15F
Lamonds
08.00: Under-15E
09.10: Under-15D
10.20: Under-15C
11.30: Under-15B
12.40: Under-15A
Leachs
08.00: Under-14E
09.10: Under-14D
10.20: Under-14C
11.30: Under-14B
12.40: Under-14A