Punt goes up to Oudtshoorn
Hoërskool Punt of Mossel Bay leaves the sea and heads up the Robertson Pass to Oudtshoorn for its FNB Classic Clash with Langenhoven Gimnasium, a match which should be a keen contest between two determined schools, though Langenhoven Gim have had the better results this year and are at home.
It's not a long drive for Punt but into a different climate, away from Mossel Bay with its wonderful seascapes, eccentric harbour, long beaches, whales and dolphins up over the hump of the pass past proteas, heaths and aloes to Oudtshoorn, the world capital of ostrich farming and Arbeidsgenot, the home of eccentric lawyer, writer and poet CJ Langenhoven, the man who wrote the words for Die Stem, the anthem of the old South Africa, part of which is incorporated in the anthem of the new South Africa. If you like scenery, it's a great drive though the Punt teams are more likely to have their focus elsewhere.
There is a bit more than usual on the game as the winner will represent South Western Districts in the medium schools division of the competition run by Die Burger, involving schools for Western Province, Boland, South Western Districts and Eastern Province. The winner of this match will play Nico Malan in the semifinal.
Last year Punt won 13-10.
Season so Far
Look at the scores and Langenhoven Gimmies have the stronger results. Gimmies have won more than they lost while Punt broke even. Gimmies have also played stronger sides, like Outeniqua and Oakdale which would have given them greater confidence.
Rain can, of course, make all things equal.
Results against Common Opposition
Nico Malan: Langenhoven Gim lost 21-14; Punt lost 29-0
Oudtshoorn: Langenhoven Gim won 48-16; Punt lost 11-7
PW Botha: Langenhoven Gim won 48-8; Punt drew 10-10
Seavuna: Langenhoven Gim won 71-3; Punt won 8-0
Representative Players
Both schools' players are eligible for South Western Districts.
Neither school had players in the strong South Western Districts side which was close to being a combination of Outeniqua and Oakdale, schools ranked third and 14th on the FNB Top 20.
Academy Week
Langenhoven Gim: Johan Steyn (captain)
Punt: Wessel Steyn
Teams
Punt: 15 L Meyer, 14 J van Eyk, 13 Z Jones, 12.T Botha (vice-captain), 11 R Lewaa, 10 L Joseph, 9 A Rossouw, 8 W Steyn, 7 L Potgieter, 6 J van Staden, 5 JP de Koker, 4 J Wright, 3 T Barnard, 2 J Mey, 1 B Krause
Replacements: 16 A Hendriks, 17 H Venter, 18 W Boshoff, 19 E de Villiers, 20 A de Jager, 21 R Muller, 22 D Lucas, 23 S Visagie,
Coaches: M. Pelser, G. Mynhardt
Langenhoven Gim: 15 Domenic Smit, 14 Shelwyn Dyssel, 13 Reuben Pieters, 12 Christian Koch (captain), 11 Charles Radebe, 10 DJ Potgieter, 9 Johan Steyn, 8 Wikus Oosthuizen, 7 André Williams, 6 JC Meiring, 5 Tiaan Pepper, 4 Leandré Boshoff, 3 Arnold Williams, 2 Brendon Haas, 1 Ivor Killian.
Replacements: 16 Werner Heunis, 17 Ruben Vermeulen, 18 Robin Lolo, 19 Jeandré Bestbier, 20 Phillip Venter, 21 Justin Bekker, 22 Michael Wood.
Date: 17 August 2013
1st XV kick-off: 14.00
Venue: Langenhoven Gimnasium, Oudtshoorn
Expected weather conditions: Rain with a high of 14°C, dropping to 6°C
Rugby Programme
A Field
08.00: Under-14A
09.00: Under-15A
10.10: Under-16A
11.20: Under-19B
13.20: March past, drum majorettes and other ceremonies,
14.00: Under-19A
15.25: Presentation of trophy
B Field
08.00: Under-16B
10.10: Under-19C
11.20: Under-15B