Northwood vs DHS at Kings Park
Probably the pick of the KZN matches will feature two teams who have earned growing respect through their respective Easter performances, playing in a curtain raiser for the Sharks versus Lions Super Rugby match. DHS are the favourites and given their preferred style of play, they should enjoy the width that Kings Park offers. However first priority will be to contain Northwood’s forwards. Northwood has a pack that can completely dominate the setpieces and the tight loose phases. If on form Northwood could potential starve “School” of possession and this could lead to the Knights winning the territorial battle as well. A big question is can they turn whatever advantage they have into points.
Westville vs Affies
Affies played Westville for the very first time in their illustrious rugby history in 2015, so adding to their history books will be this first ever game on Bowden’s Field. Affies are the overwhelming favourites to make it two out of two against their hosts who haven’t had the best of starts to the 2016 season. Not many will home supporters will arrive on Saturday expecting the Griffons to win but they will be hoping for a strong performance. The pace and physicality of the match could be used as a springboard by Westville to develop the type of playing patterns that will at least see them achieving results more in line with their potential for the second term ahead. Since just about every player in the Affies pack is a useful ball-carriers and they have elements that make their backline extremely dangerous when on song, the primary Westville objective will be to come up with big-D. For a few seasons now there have also been unanswered questions about Westville’s inability to take the ball through several phases, so focussing on good ball retention is certainly an equally good form of defence with the added bonus that it inevitably leads to penalties or point scoring opportunities.
Clifton vs St Charles
Based on the form that St Charles produced at the DHS 150th Rugby Day it looked like they would have convincingly beaten Clifton, who also featured in a separate match, had the teams met on the day. Clifton showed good structure in that first term outing and their results at a high profile festival since then suggest they have improved, this while it’s been difficult to gauge much into St Charles’ achievements in the Western Cape. The feeling is gap between the two schools should have narrowed considerably. Saints have some useful go forward options in the pack and an x-factor in their line. Irrespective of this, home-ground offers decent advantage in this inter-city private school derby so at Riverside, Clifton are bound to be a handful.
Glenwood vs Framesby
Framesby had a miserable start to what had been hoped would be a good season. It’s been hard to pinpoint exactly why things have gone south for them. They have a top coach, plenty of experience, a big pack and some talent in the backs as well. Yet they just have not pieced it all together when it’s mattered most. Their maiden win was a big one against Kearsney festival whipping boys Noord-Kaap on the last day and it might have restored some much needed confidence. Defensively Glenwood is well-organised and it will take a special effort to keep the scoreboard ticking against them. The going is bound to get tough at times and Framesby’s defence will have to step up. It’s a character test that could well shape the remainder of their season.. The home team might want to pay more attention to their conversion of opportunities generated into points scored, but overall it’s been so far so good for Glenwood, with the formbook suggesting they should win fairly comfortably.
Grey College vs Maritzburg College
This annual fixture has been moved forward from its usual slot in the third term (August). After what happened against EG Jansen (8-47) on Easter Monday, College supporters have good reason to fear that an even harsher outcome is on the cards. Grey can be ruthless at home and they will be well prepared. Also not out of Grey minds is the fact that College almost beat them last year. However one positive possibility is that College absorbed lessons learned during the Jansies game and are raring to put these into practice. The College boys are extremely proud to wear the Red White Black jersey and no matter what the circumstances, expect them to get it there all from first kick off to the final whistle.
TEAMS
Well done to School for sticking to the game plan. The forwards was awesome in the way they handled the pressure and the Fly half was a general in the back line. I saw him chase a couple of forwards out the line when they were not needed. The scrumhalf steps amazingly well. DHS can be proud of their performance on Saterday.
@lawless: Grey Bloem vs College results FYI – http://gc.co.za/Images/files/Uitslae%202016.pdf
On a different note, young James Hall taking his Super Rugby debut by the scruff of the neck. Ou Buffel going to be very pleased!!
Glenwood vs Grey Bloem 2015 (In Bloem), we kopped two 90’s and three 70’s;
http://www.glenwoodhighschool.co.za/sites/default/files/SPORT%20RESULT%20VS%20GREY%20BLOEM%20AUG%202015_0.pdf
@lawless: Yep, we know about the huge losses in Bloem, I even remember 100 point losses. The more boarders you have the more depth you have, it’s quite simple. Glenwood only has 260 boarders vs College and Bloem’s 400 plus. Glenwood can never compete with that…
@Grasshopper: Ja those are not close margins at all. Although the majority of those are at A level. Some matches against Grey College were quite close I know that the u15F said were unlucky to go down 20-19
@BOG: yeah and 60,70 and 80 point margins are pretty close.
@Grasshopper: Although GCB won all their rugby matches, the margins, well most of them, were not all that great. MC has nothing to be ashamed of.I trust that they are having a safe and uneventful journey back to PMB.
And that was at home for the Ville, try Pretoria!
Glenwood bt Framesby 65-9
Ouch. 2 big loses for the KZN tourists.
Affies 62 Westville 0
@lawless: FT 60-13. MC scored twice in last 10 mins
@BOG: Make that 19-0 after a penalty for a high tackle
@lawless: They are behind the clock. 16-0 after 20 mins
@lawless: They are behind the clock- 16-0 after 20 minutes
@BOG: As far as I know, Grey are 8-0 up at the moment
@lawless: Got my hockey results screwed up. GCB got one win and 3 draws. Thirds (Rugby) 28-0. Firsts in progress.
@Grasshopper: College seconds lost 40-8 can only assume the altitude is playing havoc with the College fitness. The HT score was 16 – 8
@lawless: Sorry, Im probably further away from Bloem than you. They put up regular scores on their FB page. Just go there.@Grasshopper: No use relying on a good Gr 8 intake. Its what happens from thereon. GCBs u14 side have shown a few cracks- they lost to Framesby. But watch them in two yrs time- DEVELOPMENT.
@BOG: Have any rugby sides managed a win, also what is the second team score?
MC, apart from one draw, won all the hockey matches, 1sts 0-1. GCBs hockey has gone through a few lean years, but its picking up again.MC traditionally, are strong in hockey.@Grasshopper: A while ago, you questioned GCBs tennis strength. That was 9-0 for both senior and junior sides. They have the Henning brothers, SA school champs- so it helps.
@Grasshopper: The second team match should have started by now, any news on that?
Hopefully one or two College sides might be able to pick up a victory.
@lawless: Jukskei is tight at the moment!
@Grasshopper: I know last year College managed 3 victories in the rugby. I have seen that College did win in table tennis
@lawless: Hockey, yes but rugga I don’t think so. Tiddly winks also unsure…
@Grasshopper: Have any college teams won as of yet?
College are feeling the pain in Bloem right now, following as we speak. Eish, it’s getting ugly.
Under16A Grey 82 – College 12
Under15A Grey 71- College 0
Under14A Grey 12 – College 0
Seems College got a decent grade 8 intake. Hoping they can keep the 2nds and 1st’s closer…
I wish that a school’s rugby would be judged on every team. At College, it’s only ever teams like Grey College and Affies where we worry about getting wins all round. Other th am that College normally wins the majority of the matches across the board, but the first team will lose and that’s all that is remembered.
Westville just have to have belief. There is really nothing to lose and I sincerely hope the leadership core rallies behind Zane. This team as U16s were ranked 6th in the country. Again belief cannot be under-estimated.
@Skywalker: that would be an awesome team
@Greenman: I know Naval Hill, of course, but as Andre T would tell you, its used for purposes other than mountain biking. Ask the Orange and Eunice girls? Just a view of the city , in case other things entered your mind. Not sure about AT though.And by the way, when is Beet giving you a Grey shirt with Glenwood shorts?
@BOG: Natuurlik. You never been up Naval hill before! Great place for engagement!
@Horsefly: We should join forces…we will provide the pack and you provide the backline…then we can take on the others together
@Skywalker: School has an awesome backline that can run from anywhere and some mobile forwards but I saw how big the Northwood pack was at our 150th rugby day. If School try to take Northwood in front they will be in for a long day but if they can keep the score low in the first half they should win comfortably in the second half
Having not seen either team play yet, and going just by what I have read….i would think DHS will win big on Saturday. I was impressed last year with Northwood in the same fixture (especially up front) – but they blew a lead and let DHS back in to take the win. This year DHS is far better and it seems we have a problem with scoring points when needed, and also letting in soft tries. Lets hope the pack can keep it respectable.
Good luck to all schools participating this weekend and drive safely.
@Rugger fan: Looking at the program on GCBs FB, I once again realize that a day like that, where there is debating, mountain biking (dont know where there is a mountain in the FS) chess, hockey—, its about a lot more than just scores and results. May everyone traveling, boys, teachers, parents,supporters all have a safe journey to the “garden province” and enjoy the occasion.
Well I certainly am heading off to Bloem – not expecting a historic victory by the College team (but stranger things have happened before)!
Looking forward to seeing the junior teams in play (especially the U14E’s). Great to see so many teams heading up to Bloem – I heard a rumor (unconfirmed as I’m currently out the country) – that College actually offered to bring more rugby and hockey teams up to GCB than could be matched???
Always look forward to good SBR – no matter which side of the score line we end up on!
@Grasshopper: It would seem that the Last Outpost is fast becoming the bastion for Afrikaans- Glenwoud, Wesville and the next target, Maritzburg Kollege. Elsewhere, like Tshwane, Afrikaans is on the verge of being outlawed
@AffieOuer: Wesville, you can remove the T, it’s now a predominantly Afrikaans school
Ons is Vrydagoggend met sowat 600 seuns oppad Durban toe….lekkkkkkerrrrrr. Daar is min dinge wat die bloed so deur die are laat bruis as die grootskaalse derby’s! Die opgewondenheid sit sommer vlak as jy die manne by die skool drop en ‘n stuk of 15 busse staan gereed om die langpad na die opponent aan te pak. Sien julle binnekort Westville
Can’t wait for Saturday. Hopefully the last 15 min won’t be the same as last year. Still get nightmares about that. Except for Tian (klein Os) no injury concerns for GC. 1st team for Saturday:
15 Jeandre de Beer
14 Janco van Heijningen
13 Gerrie Koegelenberg
12 Rikus Pretorius
11 Marnus Boshoff
10 Mario Viera
9 Rewan Kruger
8 Dian Schoonees
7 Arno Nieuwoudt
6 Wian Klopper
5 Jaco de Beer
4 Jaco van Tonder
3 Gideo Beukes
2 Matthew Wessels
1 Tristan Spies
16 Naude Naude
@BOG: My point was in Bloem Grey almost start with a 20 point cushion. If I did an analysis of Glenwood vs Grey Home vs Away it will paint a picture, one were it’s lambs to slaughter in Bloem, especially after a long bus trip and at altitude. For Grey the other way is less of an issue at the coast, but that isn’t an excuse. 2006 was Warren Whiteley’s year, I would hope his leadership played a part in the win and that Grey were weaker that year……but it still counts, we will hang onto until our next one which could be another 50 years…
@Grasshopper: You talk as if they only win matches on their home turf. I dont think that there are schools with a better away record than GCB. And Im sure you can testify to that, with the exception of the hiccup in 2006. After the last trip to Bloem, there were not too many post match comments from KZN- it largely centred around hamburgers. I thought that Beet might give an advisory of the culinary delights in Bloem for those who are traveling there primarily to eat and drink.
Wow some biggies for Westville and College. College are going to feel the pain in Bloem unfortunately. It’s mighty tough there. Glenwood must not underestimate Framesby.