The Stellenberg danger looms large as Paarl heavyweights collide and Rondebosch launch their Triple Crown assault in a bumper weekend of Cape schools rugby
The Western Cape school rugby season has shifted into top gear, with a mouth-watering slate of fixtures that will test the mettle of the province’s finest. The headline act sees undefeated Paul Roos put their pristine record on the line against a dangerous Stellenberg outfit hungry to claim a major scalp.
Rondebosch launch Triple Crown assault
Rondebosch begin their Triple Crown and Grand Slam campaign against Southern Suburbs rivals Wynberg, with both sides brimming with confidence. The Bosch have exploded out of the blocks, dismantling Tygerberg, Selborne, and Pretoria Boys High with ruthless efficiency.
Wynberg, meanwhile, impressed at the Saints Sports fest during the holidays and will relish the underdog role. Derby matches have a habit of producing upsets, form often goes out the window when local pride is at stake.
The Battle in the Boland: Paarl Boys High vs Oakdale
Brug Street will host a titanic forward battle when Paarl Boys High welcome Oakdale in what promises to be an absolute arm wrestle. Boys High are licking their wounds after their Noord Suid defeat to Garsfontein, but one loss doesn’t define a quality outfit, and Boishaai remain exactly that.
Oakdale arrive with bouncing back of their own to do, having fallen to Affies at Noord Suid before scraping past a Noordheuwel side yet to find their rhythm. This clash will be won and lost in the trenches, with both packs touted amongst the best in the business.
Oakdale possess raw size in the engine room, whilst Boishaai’s more diminutive forwards compensate with explosive power and aggression. If the Paarl boys can generate quick ball and inject pace into the contest, their dangerous backline could outmanoeuvre Oakdale’s behemoths out wide.
Don’t be fooled, Oakdale aren’t one-dimensional bruisers. They’ve shown steady improvement as the season progresses, looking far sharper against a physical Affies pack than in their Grey College hammering. Their achilles heel could be a side that keeps the ball alive and dominates ruck time, exploiting any lack of mobility from Oakdale’s giants.
Outeniqua eye wounded Boland Landbou
Henry Grimes’ Outeniqua welcome a battered Boland Landbou on Saturday, with the visitors reeling from defeats to Helpmekaar and Menlopark at Noord Suid, as well as an earlier season loss to Durbanville.
“We expect a team that will be fired up. They didn’t have a good Noord Suid but I believe they are a good team. They will want to turn their season around, it is a good opportunity for them. We don’t play many home games, so I think the boys will be ready for the battle in front of the home crowd,” said Grimes.
A wounded animal is always dangerous, and Boland Landbou will view this as the perfect chance to kickstart their campaign. Outeniqua must guard against complacency.
SACS seek redemption in Northern Suburbs
SACS travel to Durbanville looking to turn their season around after a frustrating Easter festival. A one-point defeat to Pretoria Boys High followed by a loss to Maritzburg College left the Southern Suburbs outfit searching for answers.
Durbanville arrived with fanfare when they stepped up to WP premier league A, beating Rustenburg before falling to Affies at Noord Suid. Their earlier season victory over Boland Landbou suggests they possess genuine quality.
“We will be better for the Easter Festival experience. We have a lot of respect for their programme and the work they have put into it. They have had good results so far. They will be a difficult side to beat, but we’re looking forward to the challenge and the camaraderie that exists between the two schools,” said Nick Maurer, SACS defence coach.
Around the grounds
DF Akademie vs Melkbosstrand
DF Academy chase their first league win away from home, with coach Chris Diedericks buoyed by returning personnel.
“We expect them to be tough at home. We have some players returning from injury so that will give us a boost. I think we also have a little confidence going into the game. We will fight for a first league win away to help build the confidence going into the Tygerberg game at home which will be another tough game,” Diedericks said.
Melkbosstrand sports organiser Christo Lotz expects a brutal encounter in their season opener.
“It is our first match of the season, it is going to be tough and physical. I think they will try and bully us up front, but we have a plan for the weekend.”
HTS Drostdy vs Hermanus
Henley du Plessis, head of rugby at HTS Drostdy, anticipates a quality contest as his side look to build momentum.
“It’s going to be a good game. We want to build on our current play, there are lots of positives we can take from our previous matches but it is important that we learn from our mistakes.”
Milnerton vs Parel Vallei
Alwyn Burger, Parel Vallei’s head of rugby, expects a forward-dominated arm wrestle.
“I think it is going to be a physical battle. I believe that they will try and put pressure on us with their forwards. If we get momentum early on and play at tempo we can put their forwards under pressure. It is going to be a tough first half, but if we keep to our structures and not panic we should get the result we want.”
The Western Cape schools rugby landscape is heating up nicely. Unbeaten records, redemption arcs, and local bragging rights this weekend has it all.
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