Preview: Potch Boys vs HTS Potch

Another tough match is expected in the North West when Potchefstroom Boys' High and HTS Potchefstroom meet for their Classic Clash on Saturday.

Encounters between these two sides have been close over the years and it will probably come down again to a single score to determine who has bragging rights for the next year.

HTS Potch won the reverse fixture last year 19-12, but before that it was Potch Boys who ruled the roost with a 25-18 win in 2013 and a 25-15 win in 2012.

Potch Boys will be looking for a 70 minute performance on Saturday to get their season back on track. After starting the season well they now have a 50/50 win/loss ratio, which they will be disappointed about.

Potch Boys will probably go into this game as slight favourites for some as they will be on home turf, although a couple of kilometres should not trouble their opponents.

Last year's win for HTS Potch did come on their home ground and it was their first win in this rivalry since 2010. They will know the advantage playing at home has in a tie like this.

They will have a young team on display, but they won't be short on passion or enthusiasm as they go in search of a second consecutive victory.

Both teams will also have no shortage of experience with there being five years of first team experience between the two captains.

Potch Boys captain Romario Fish is only 18-years-old, but has three years’ experience in the first team and has represented the Leopards Under-18 side during Academy Week in 2014. He was on the bench in last year's Classic Clash.

HTS Potch captain Amogelang Gaobonwe is 19 and in his second year in the first team and also played Academy Week last year.

In the last nine fixtures between these two sides there has been four wins a piece with one draw in 2011.

Teams:

Potchefstroom Boys' High: 15 A Jikwana, 14 TT Onkaetsi, 13 K Thabanchu, 12 TO Kgosi, 11 M Mphahlele, 10 M Moloatoa, 9 M Mantashe, 8 S Kamina, 7 R Fish (captain), 6 TV Malo, 5 N Khutswayo, 4 K Morapane, 3 A Malotana, 2 S Mahumapelo, 1 O Butsi.

Replacements: 16 B Rabaji, 17 I Mfenyane, 18 M Mbotho, 19 T Makgale, 20 T Mosiane.

HTS Potchefstroom: 15 J Smit, 14 K Ntshabelle, 13 A Maboe, 12 K Motshabi, 11 S Maarohanye, 10 A Meyer, 9 A Gaobonwe (captain), 8 O Mayeng, 7 M Mahlaku, 6 K Xheko, 5 T Lekabe, 4 B Van der Schyff, 3 K Ramasimong, 2 K Tshakane, 1 R Maputle.

Replacements: TBC

Recent Results

2006: HTS won 13-12

2007: Boys' High won 13-12

2008: Boys' High won 32-19

2009: HTS won 21-8

2010: HTS won 25-18

2011: Draw 13-13

2012: Boys' High won 26-15

2013: Boys High won 25-18

2014: HTS won 19-12