Preview: SACS vs Wynberg
The final week of fixtures has arrived in the Western Cape and in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town we have a fitting finale. The South African College High School (SACS) play host to Wynberg Boy’s High in what, for the boy’s, will be tantamount to a World Cup Final.
Both teams are heavily laden with Matric boys who will be playing their last games for the school. Both SACS and Wynberg have done the double over other local rivals Rondebosch and Bishops, while Wynberg beat SACS at home (26-16) in the first round game.
If Wynberg win again they will be have completed the 'Triple Crown' twice (a rare feat), while if SACS win they will have their own 'Triple Crown' and will have finished the season stronger.
There is a lot to play for and the game has all the characteristics of a Test match but unfortunately the weather is predicted to be very poor on Saturday. This will favour the visitors who have an extremely physical pack and a supreme set-piece.
Hooker Tyler Reichardt has a pin-point throw and directs Wynberg’s driving maul with aplomb. He is also extremely good on the ground and regularly effects turnovers at the breakdown. With good kickers at nine and ten they have the game plan to pressurise SACS and upset their rhythm, just as they did in the first round game.
Like Wynberg, SACS like to play in the right part of the field but their game plan is more momentum based. They use their big runners like Leighton van Wyk to gain momentum and build phases from which they hope to open the opposition up and score. Without front foot ball though it will be difficult for SACS’s halfbacks to dictate proceedings so the gainline battle is going to be crucial.
With so much at stake it promises to be a great occasion which will hopefully live up to the hype!
The teams:
SACS: 15 Keagan Wheeler, 14 Gino Lupini, 13 Suwi Chibale, 12 Leighton van Wyk, 11 Mzi Dempers, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Cameron Calder (captain), 8 Devon Barnard , 7 Luke van der Smit, 6 Miles Hoogwerf, 5 Adam de Carvalho (vice-captain), 4 Dean Basson, 3 Andrew Edwards, 2 Yandisa Maqenukana, 1 Joel Macquene.
Wynberg: 15 Siya Alam, 14 Darryn Rix, 13 Jarryd Sage, 12 Justin Scott (captain), 11 Josh De Stadler, 10 Riaan O'Neill (vice-captain), 9 David Bedingham, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Lee Nicholson, 6 Jake Rigby, 5 Dylan Roberts, 4 Devin Trull, 3 Simon Kannemeyer, 2 Tyler Reichardt, 1 Mike Sullivan.
(PS: Take note of the later kick-off time to accommodate all junior and high school games on the SACS Campus on the day)
Date: Saturday, 25 August (2012)
Kick-off: 14.45
Venue: Memorial A-Field (SACS)
Weather: 9°C/12°C Wind: 46km/h NW Rain: 60%
Referee: Jacques Pienaar (Western Province Referee’s Society)