14 March 2020 – matches to be livestreamed
| SLOT | SCHOOL | SCHOOL | BROADCAST | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08h00 | Cambridge | – | – | Mary Waters | |
| 09h10 | Dale | – | – | Muir |  |
| 10h20 | Hudson Park | – | – | Nico Malan | |
| 11h30 | Queen’s | – | – | Pearson | |
| 12h40 | Grey HS | – | – | Brandwag | |
| 13h50 | Kingswood | – | – | Selborne | |
| 15h00 | St Andrew’s | – | – | Framesby | |
| 16h10 | Graeme | – | – | Marlow | |
Graeme renew keen rivalry with Cradock outfit – by Neale Emslie
Host school Graeme College will renew a rivalry with the tough Marlow Agricultural outfit when the Pam Golding Properties Graeme Rugby Day takes place in Grahamstown on March 14.
It will be another testing encounter for the home team, but they have never shied away from this in their own tournament and it should provide a fitting finale to the traditional pipe-opener to the Eastern Province schools season.
Tournament director Nico van der Meulen has again lined up a fascinating array of matches, one of the feature games being the 12.40 showdown between Grey High of Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage powerhouse Brandwag.
These sides have regularly dominated the schools rugby scene in Nelson Mandela Bay, but have rarely played against each other.
With both teams eager to lay down a marker for the season, this should be a humdinger to whet the appetite for some equally appealing matches later in the day.
The Grahamstown schools, who will draw thousands of supporters to the Somerset field venue, will occupy the afternoon fixtures.
Kingswood have been handed one of the toughest matches in Eastern Cape schools rugby with a 13.50 showdown against Selborne.
The East London side are always a formidable outfit and the Grahamstown school’s credentials will be tested to the full.
The main curtain-raiser is an equally fascinating encounter, pitting St Andrew’s against leading Port Elizabeth school Framesby.
With their penchant for running rugby, the Andreans always delight, but they will need to match that with the forward power the Framesby outfit are sure to bring to the game.
@wika: Brandwag 10 and 15?
@Beet: Interesting thing in the EC is that soccer is usually more popular in the ‘Republic’ part of the land whereas the former homeland areas of Transkei and Ciskei, rugby is bigger. There isn’t must rugby west of PE, and not much either east of Mthatha as you go towards KZN
@Beet: I was surprised by KCs fast start with it being the first match of the season. Really interested to see how this team develops in 2020!
What was your match of the day?
@Beet: we are here Beet. Very happy for the boys. Last week against Outeniqua was a lot harder than the score showed. I still believe both Outeniqua and Grey PE will end up in top part of Top 20 for 2020. Brandwag will keep on fighting “the big fight” but give credit, when credit is due. They showed today what a team can do if they believe in each other. #japanoftheEasternCape??
I wonder where that Brandwag supporter from last season is now. He would have plenty to celebrate today.
@Wyvern: It was a Graeme Rugby Day with a difference. A few surprises with the more fancied school coming unstuck. At one stage Kingswood also looked like they were on course to cause an upset.
@Playa: It’s actually surprising to hear about soccer in the Eastern Cape. It’s like a rugby heartland isn’t it?
@Wyvern: That would be great. I heard a rumor but not confirmed as gospel yet. Time to let bygones be bygones and get on with it.
Yeah, we don’t seem to have a standout player. Boswell can be that guy but he’s still getting his strides in. I reckon the side will improve in the second half of the season. There’s plenty potential in the squad. All I want is for them to win against Queens at my 20th reunion.
@Playa: Even in some of Dale’s weaker years of the past, there was always a star player or two in those teams that gave the team that extra spark. It seems this year is the first I’ve seen where that isnt the case.
On another note, I believe the KC vs Dale fixture is back on this year in June!
So much for my predictions
Well played sac, Graeme and Mary Waters!
@Beet: Absolute legend. He holds the record for most tries in a season. 25 I think, in 1995.Big, strong and quick. Freak of nature. He was even better at waterpolo. He made a lot of money for dermatologists…with goalies going to them for weekly visits to have the chest areas checked out
@Beet: Yep. First ever loss to Muir. We’re in for a tough season.
14a Selborne 3-24 Outeniqua
16a Selborne 10-14 Outeniqua
@Beet;he was.
Hearing about Dale 94-96 wing Terence Knicklebein during that DC match. Sounds like he was quite a legend.
Was that history being made with Muir edging out Dale 6-5?
15a Outeniqua 40-3 Selborne
@Palma; a very rough one, it’s a below average team.The warning signs were visible last week.
Dale are really in for a rough season this year.
@Wyvern: Unbelievably quick fullback
@Palma: From what I’ve been told, a smaller than usual pack and a faster than usual backline.
It’s been 15 years since we last played Selborne so good to get this one.
@Wyvern: How are Kingswood looking this year?
@Playa: Cambridge, Dale, Hudson, Queens, Grey, Selborne, Framesby, Marlow.
@Playa: Tough one to call. All the teams on the left will win (excluding the SAC vs Framesby game). That one is too close to call for me. I must say, I am excited to see Queens play
Who’s brave enough to make some predictions? I certainly am not.
@ Rainier
100 % correct both Outeniqua primary and George Suid was extremely strong last year and between the two teams Kwaggas managed to get 18 of them . A few others from in the SWD so they should be strong again . The under 15 boys are also apart from 3 that played A side all from SWD area it has always been the focus on local first . Apart from 1 from Graaff Reinette and two from PE all are local lads . 1 Jeffreys boy pushing hard for a place I believe a prospect for the future .All the teams will miss the athletes tough but should be firing on all cylinders come the holiday festivals .
@Knight: I didn’t know that. I think Selborne are still the underdogs for the junior games against Outeniqua. Hopefully there won’t be any thrashings. This makes the 15a game very interesting since Selborne /15 are quite good.
@BlouLou: Outeniqua was much less active in recruiting for this year. Having said that Outeniqua Primary and George Suid had very strong /13 teams last year and I believe many of these boys went to the Kwaggas.
The /14 team last year had incredible pace at the back, a strong pack and a monster 8 – even if he does not grow an inch he will still be tall enough at /18 level.
Outeniqua’s junior teams will be very depleated at Graeme Day . All the athletes will be at the Western Cape Athletics championship . In the u/15 side that means 8 players cant go . u/14 and u/16 have 4 each out . But they will still go and be very very competitive against Selborne even with so many out.
@Rainier: I was wondering how this very talented group of players will develop as they move on the age groups. Open teams are obviously made up of u/17 and u/18 ‘s. Did the decision makers ensure another super squad for 2020 u/14 / 2023 u/17’s
@Umtata: I think with the schools breaking up during the week after the Graeme R/D weekend and many going off to various tournaments around the country including Grey PE that next weekend starting 21 March, it would have been too costly to justify a one off trip to Grahamstown and a bit of a logistical headache to have to arrange as well.
Great way to kick off the EC rugby calendar. Wonder why they didn’t include one or two teams from outside the province.
@Rainier: Yes unfortunately for Selborne their /15 will be rampant. our /15 side are quite decent but I think the Kwaggas will be too much to handle. our /16 side I am the most concerned about.
@Palma: That Kwagga /15 side will be awesome if they developed from last year. It will be the Outeniqua Centenary Year 1st team.
Selborne 14a,15a and 16a will be playing Outeniqua at the Graeme day this year.