Preview: Rondebosch vs SACS

The second round of Southern Suburb derbies starts this weekend as Rondebosch Boys' High School plays host to the South African College High School (SACS). As ever the game will be fiercely contested between too very similar schools who are geographically also very close together.

Rondebosch will be looking to avenge their first round defeat at SACS. Playing at home and with a number of players having returned from injury, Rondebosch are currently a vastly different prospect to what they were a few months back. Having beaten HTS Drostdy (whom SACS lost to on Saturday) two weeks ago and having given a good account of themselves against a powerful Paarl Gim team they are a vastly different prospect from the team SACS beat in the first round. Under the astute guidance of Clint van Rensburg they will have done their homework and will be well prepared for anything SACS throw at them on Saturday.

Rondebosch are a good team who play a lovely attacking style of rugby. Their breakdown work is efficient and they are not scared to put width on the ball. They will be hoping to exploit any defensive frailties, especially in the wide channels.

SACS had a solid second term but are going through a slump in form that has seen them lose three league games on the trot. Defeats in successive weeks to Paul Roos and Drostdy will have dented their confidence and Rondebosch will be licking their lips at the prospect of getting stuck into their local rivals.

SACS will be looking to end the season with a few wins so as not to take the glow off their second term efforts. SACS will look to their pack to lay the platform and gain the necessary momentum for their big runners to exploit.

The game promises to be of true test match intensity and will no doubt come down to small margins. The pressure will be on both teams to limit the errors and on their respective kickers to nail any points on offer.

Teams:

Rondebosch: 15 Khanyo Ngcukana, 14 Tim Hillock (vice-captain), 13 Alex Mather, 12 Robert Blake, 11 Devon van Rensburg, 10 Tyren Lee, 9 Ebrahiem Titus, 8 Levi Calthorpe, 7 Lakheni Songca, 6 Graham Geldenhuys, 5 Duncan Geldenhuys, 4 Danie Krynauw (captain), 3 Brett Paulse, 2 Bobby Wallace, 1 Kyle Whyte

SACS: 15 Keagan Wheeler, 14 Gino Lupini, 13 Suwi Chibale, 12 Leighton van Wyk, 11 Mzi Dempers, 10 Chris Smith 9 Cameron Calder (Capt), 8 Devon Barnard , 7 Luke van der  Smit, 6 Miles Hoogwerf, 5 Adam de Carvalho (V-Capt), 4 Dean Basson, 3 Yandisa Maqenukana, 2 Struan Murray, 1 Joel Macquene

Date: Saturday, 4 August 2012

Kickoff: 12.00

Venue: Memorial A-field (Rondebosch)

Expected weather conditions: 12/14°C Wind: 37km/h NW   30% of rain

Referee: WP Referees' Society