When these two sides last collided in May 2024, Boland Landbou cruised to a comfortable 32-10 victory in Paarl that suggested a significant gulf in class between the teams. Saturday’s King Price Derby Series clash at Hawthornden Field promises an entirely different narrative, with a resurgent Wynberg Boys’ High side carrying momentum from consistent improvement over recent seasons and the return of star flyhalf Achmat Behardien from national duty.

The southern suburbs outfit have transformed themselves from also-rans into genuine contenders, their rolling maul becoming a weapon that has dismantled traditional powerhouses and established Wynberg as a team nobody relishes facing on their home turf.

New coach respects Wynberg challenge

Boland Landbou head coach Nico Breedt, still finding his feet in the league, offered flattering assessment of the hosts despite his limited experience in this particular rugby ecosystem. “As I am a new coach to this league, my opinion is limited, but what I can say is that they are widely respected and that winning at Wynberg is extremely difficult,” Breedt admitted, his words carrying the weight of a coach who has clearly done his homework.

That respect is well-earned. Wynberg have evolved into a side capable of producing performances that trouble anyone foolish enough to underestimate them, particularly when playing in front of their passionate home support at Hawthornden.

Behardien brings national experience home

The headline attraction for Saturday’s encounter is undoubtedly the return of ‘Berg flyhalf Behardien from his stellar performances representing Western Province at Craven Week and subsequently earning SA Schools selection. He was instrumental in WP going undefeated throughout the tournament, their dominance so complete they were labelled unofficial winners for a seventh consecutive time.

Against the Farmers, Behardien will relish the opportunity to test new plays and skills absorbed whilst training and competing alongside the finest schoolboy talent in the country. That exposure to elite-level coaching and competition accelerates development dramatically, and Wynberg’s opponents should brace for a player operating with enhanced confidence and an expanded playbook.

Rolling maul remains Wynberg’s trump card

Whilst Behardien provides the creative spark, Wynberg’s most devastating weapon remains their rolling maul, a set-piece juggernaut that has trampled opposition defences throughout the season with ruthless efficiency.

They deployed it to full effect in southern suburb derby victories, demolishing Rondebosch Boys’ High 27-17 thanks to three tries from hooker Ridah Johnson, who unfortunately will miss Saturday’s clash through injury. They also overcame Diocesan College 38-20 with a hat-trick for flanker and hooker Naeem Mohammed, Johnson adding a fourth try from the rolling maul after coming off the bench.

Mohammed is almost as clinical as Johnson off the back of the rolling maul, ensuring Wynberg’s most potent attacking weapon remains operational despite the injury setback. Landbou’s tight five will need to produce something special to neutralise this threat, with prop Solam Gegana carrying significant responsibility during scrum time and maul defence.

Landbou possess dangerous weapons

The Farmers aren’t travelling to Hawthornden merely to make up numbers. Fullback Gehano van Bo stands out as a genuine speedster blessed with the kind of pace that makes him desperately difficult to catch in open space. But Van Bo offers more than just electric acceleration, his flair and playmaking abilities make him a multi-dimensional threat, particularly as he’ll likely fill in at flyhalf with Caleb Seroot unavailable this weekend.

If both Van Bo and Behardien hit top gear, Saturday’s crowd may witness a try-scoring spectacle from two supremely talented playmakers operating at peak powers.

Prop Tiaan Malan opened the scoring in Landbou’s 48-24 loss against Stellenberg at the end of last season, demonstrating his ability to contribute beyond the traditional tight-five grunt work. He’ll need to have maintained strength and fitness over the holiday period, otherwise he’ll be found lacking in scrums and maul defence against Stellies props like Uzair Blanckenberg, who featured alongside Behardien in that dominant WP Craven Week squad.

Derby occasions create lasting memories

Coach Breedt emphasised the significance of these encounters that transcend normal fixture status. “Every derby is special, and we feel privileged to be a part of the top-tier schoolboy rugby circuit,” he reflected. “These matches are special occasions that should remain embedded in the boys’ memories for probably the rest of their lives.”

On this occasion, Wynberg will take the field as favourites, a reversal from that May 2024 meeting in Paarl where they were comprehensively outplayed. But the Farmers arrive fresh and amped for the first of their final three fixtures this season, desperate to prove that earlier victory wasn’t a fluke.