What happened previously doesn’t matter because this is the one that counts!
It is the Tigers against the Wolves on Saturday when the u/19A rugby teams of Daniel Pienaar (DP) and Die Brandwag show their teeth in the FNB Classic Clashes.
Every year this match brings Kariega to a standstill. A huge crowd is once again expected to watch the Derby being played in an electric atmosphere.
There are only about two kilometres separating the two schools but the players and their supporters will be worlds apart when a hard and high tempo clash will decide the winner.
DP will have home ground advantage but Brandwag will kick off as the favourite if one looks at recent results.
This past weekend Nico Malan (Humansdorp) beat Brandwag narrowly but won comfortably against DP two weeks ago. Brandwag also beat DP 18-5 in the Tinara Cup in April.
Will these results matter come Saturday?
“Not at all,” reckons Malcolm Jaer, the former Brandwag star who went on to represent the Cheetahs, Kings and Griquas at senior level. “On Saturday it will be make or break to see which is the top team in Kariega.”
There were some brilliant performances over the years between these two sides in Classic Clashes and Jaer was at his very best in the 2012 thriller.
He scored two tries for Brandwag but DP still managed to win 28-23.
“It is always a massive day when these teams play each other,” Jaer says.
“This is not only huge for the players but for the entire Kariega community, the parents and every rugby lover,” he explains.
Jaer has good advice for players on an intense day like this when emotions run high.
“Don’t get carried away. Approach it as any other match.
“Most players will try to give that little bit extra and try to do more than normal.
“To be successful, play for your team mates, coaches, family and everyone who supports you.
“See it as a team effort and don’t try to do fancy stuff because a huge crowd is watching. That could be the difference between winning and losing.
“It is every schoolboy’s dream to play in a Classic Clash. I played in 2012 but unfortunately couldn’t play again in my matric
year because I was involved with the South African Schools side.
“I would have loved to play that year. If I must choose between a Cheetahs, Kings, Griquas or Brandwag jersey, that grey and green of Brandwag will always be my first choice.
“There is so much passion, honour and history that goes with a Brandwag and a DP jersey,” Jaer sums up what it will all be about on Saturday.
No doubt there will be a tremendous physical battle upfront where DP will have to keep an eye on the inspirational Remy Heymans and Damien le Roux in the Brandwag pack.
On field discipline will be very important because both teams would not want to give away any penalties.
Behind the DP pack, scrumhalf Vergil Grootboom is always full of ideas and if the DP backline gets a chance to give the ball air,
Siphuxolo Mkencele will be a factor with his powerful runs.
Of course Jaer thinks Brandwag will be on the winning side and of course the DP supporters won’t agree, but his wish is echoed by all rugby lovers: “May the best team win”.
