SACS vs Bishops

The South African College High School (SACS) take on Diocesan College (Bishops) on Saturday in one of the oldest schoolboy derbies in South Africa.

For both teams it is a massive occasion, not just because of the rich history and tradition between the colleges dating back 150 years, but because both teams desperately need a win.

SACS have had a decent start to the season results wise but have yet to beat any opposition of note in the Western Cape Premier League. Coming off defeats to Boland Landbou and Paarl Boishaai (19-10), and a few seasons of lacklustre results against their local Southern Suburb rivals, SACS have a point to prove.

By their high standards, Bishops have been in the Top 20 schools in the country for the past decade, Bishops are having a poor season. By this stage of the season Bishops have usually knocked over one of the big guns from the Boland but this year find themselves struggling for a win against local opposition. A drubbing from Paarl Gim followed by a 39-10 defeat at home to Drostdy last Saturday will really have hurt!

Having had the ascendancy over SACS for the past decade, Bishops will be looking to Saturday’s game to kickstart their season. The last time the two teams played, at SACS in the penultimate game of last season, SACS came from 13-nil down at half-time to beat Bishops 20-13, so there is definitely an element of revenge in the encounter as well.

SACS will be looking to their big ball-carrying flank Luke van der Smit for momentum to allow their livewire scrumhalf and captain Cameron Calder to snipe around the fringes and bring their ever-improving pack into the game.

Bishops will look to their big strong centre and captain Jason Morris to provide them with impetus on attack while the skilful Greg Alexander is always looking for opportunities to join the line or counter-attack from the back. Bishop’s best player this season though has been flank Joe Miller who has impressed with his high work-rate, makings plenty of tackles and ball-carries. His tussle with Van der Smit for gainline dominance will be one of the highlights of this encounter.

There is rain predicted for Friday but Saturday should be dry, if overcast.

There will be nineteen games taking place at SACS on the morning and a big crowd is expected for the main game at 12.15pm.

Date: 19 May, 2012
Kick-off: 12.15
Venue: Memorial A-Field (SACS)
Referee: WP Referees Society
Weather: 10/15°C. Wind: 28km/h SW. Rain: 0%