Uitenhage Classic Clash

On Wednesday, 7 August, HTS Daniël Pienaar will go a hundred metres or so the Die Brandwag for an FNB Classic Clash.

The match is the highlight of the year in the two Uitenhage schools with a big crowd and lots of traditional ceremony and singing. Usually the match if played in May but was shifted to this time of the year because of Daniël Pienaar's obligations. It is the first time it has been played in midweek.

Several teams play but the inevitable climax is the match between the two 1st XVs.

The Recent Past

The two schools have been playing annually since 1937 and since 2006 in FNB Classic Clashes. Die Brandwag won for four years in a row after Daniël Pienaar had won 31-21 in 2007, but then last year Daniël Pienaar turned the tables and won 28-23.

Results of FNB Classic Clashes

2006: Daniël Pienaar won 31-16

2007: Daniël Pienaar won 31-21

2008: Die Brandwag won 22-14

2009: Die Brandwag won 35-10

2010: Die Brandwag won 18-13

2011: Die Brandwag won 11-5

2012: Daniël Pienaar won 28-23

The Season so Far

Die Brandwag have played 18 matches and won 14 of them.

Daniël Pienaar have played 14 matches and won seven of them//Daniël Pienaar's finest achievement was beating Oakdale 13-9.

Die Brandwag's scalps have included Ben Vorster, Queen's Marlow, Muir, Kingswood and Despatch.

Results against Common Opponents

Framesby: Daniël Pienaar lost 30-11; Die Brandwag lost 29-26

Itembelihle: Daniël Pienaar won 34-3; Die Brandwag won 69-0

Marlow: Daniël Pienaar lost 22-9; Die Brandwag won 34-20

Nico Malan: Daniël Pienaar lost 25-18; Die Brandwag lost 42-15

Oudtshoorn: Daniël Pienaar won 39-11; Die Brandwag won 51-3

St Andrew's: Daniël Pienaar lost 29-7; Die Brandwag lost 19-18

Representative Players

Both schools' players are eligible for Eastern Province representative teams.

SA Schools

Die Brandwag: Malcolm Jaer

Craven Week

Die Brandwag: Malcolm Jaer, Morney Moos, Elandré van der Merwe, Erich de Jager, Kaden Prince.

Daniël Pienaar: Arno Lötter

Academy Week

Die Brandwag: Ruan du Preez

Of the players the one who caught the eye at Craven Week was the skilful fullback Malcolm Jaer, a player who can change the course of a game. Unfortunately he will not be able to play - a real blow. He is preparing for the matches against France. England and Wales.

Die Brandwag have a massive pack. The front row weighs 334 kg, the pack as a whole 825 kg - heavier enough for Currie Cup rugby.

Teams

Die Brandwag: 15 Derick du Toit, 14 Lezo Fortuin, 13 Nicholas Lourens (vice-captain), 12 Morney Moos, 11 Juandré Swartz, 10 Shevaan Hendricks, 9 Brandon O' Neill, 8 Elandré van der Merwe (captain), 7 Stefan Janse van Vuuren, 6 Dandré Delport, 5 Ruan du Preez, 4 Rio Kriel, 3 Erich de Jager, 2 Nico Olivier, 1 Kaden Prince

Daniël Pienaar: 15 Liaan Barnard, 14 Devon Davidson, 13 Kirwin Delport, 12 Franco du Toit, 11 Zain Rule, 10 Tevin Williams, 9 Francois Nel, 8 Elandré Nel, 7 Frank Ferreira, 6 Juan Thysse, 5 Tiaan Bernardo, 4 Conrad Kapp, 3 Rinus MacGregor, 2 Arno Lötter, 1 Marius Minnie

Replacements: 16 Simon Lottering, 17 Rickus Kleinhans, 18 Zian van der Walt, 19 Marius Barnard, 20 Juandré Niemand

Coaches:  R Brand, N Strydom

Date: 7 August 2013

1st XV kick-off: 16.00

Venue: Hoërskool Die Brandwag

Referee: Fernando Uithaler (Eastern Province Referees' Society)