Daniel Pienaar edged out Brandwag 26-25 in a huge Kariega (Uitenhage) derby on Saturday 03 August 2024. The win was a reversal of fortunes after the Tiere lost the first round match 5-18.
Of significant importance is that DP are now the favourites to clinch the first ever Tinara Cup, if they can overcome Muir College in a season ending away game this weekend.
Table going into the last round:
1. Brandwag – played 4, 12 points.
2. Daniel Pienaar – played 3, 9 points.
3. Muir – played 3, 5 points.
@Palma (Comment #6)
Yeah I think Port Rex and Stirling deserve inclusion, particularly the former who play against a number of top schools from both Border and EP.
@beet (Comment #4)
Bergsig played Port Rex last weekend and were beaten 19-33. Their junior teams were all very competitive but I would not go as far to say that they are on the same level as Brandwag or Daniel Pienar just yet. With that being said, Bergsig 1st did get a great win over DP and gave Brandwag a tough game a few weeks ago. If they can improve their junior teams to match their Kariega rivals they will be a force to be reckoned with in the Eastern Cape
@RuggaFreak (Comment #2)
Yeah great region. Lots of traditions and passion for the game of rugby. Lots of great rugby officials as well.
I welcome any contributions for increasing the profiles of the big schools
@skelmbos (Comment #1)
Yeah its a lot to do with time constraints. If I had more time, I would make an effort to cover more schools.
I also have to say that although I have had interested parents etc interact, in all the years of doing this blog as a hobby, I don’t think I have had a paid school sports official from Despatch contact me or offer to send me results.
Despatch has a rich history. When the Easter Rugby Championships in Durban were still a thing, the club was a big deal. And I’m sure the school teams were littered with quality players back then.
Now it seems like Despatch are a tier 2 rugby school along with the likes of Otto du Plessis, Newton, Kirkwood, Humansdorp, Union and Volkskool. If I open the door to one, it may mean having to cover all those other schools as well.
Bergsig has shown a lot of improvement based on their Kariega results this season. I have thought of adding their resilts. I just wonder who they play outside of Kariega and immediate surrounding area.
@skelmbos (Comment #1)
Careful what you wish for, I think the last news headline (last week) involving Despatch High was a player assaulting the ref!
@skelmbos (Comment #1)
Eastern Cape in general doesn’t get much airtime in this blog anymore but in Beets defense,most bloggers aren’t from the EC.
HET HOëRSKOOL DESPATCH OPHOU RUGBY SPEEL???
It is the alma mater of Rassie Erasmus and Danie Gerber after all! (Some trivia: the only high school that had alumni as opposing coaches in the Currie Cup final: Rassie vs Pote Human)
And the town’s club laden with ex-pupils won the Easter National Club Championship twice during its heyday in the 1980s (beating TUKS/ NTVL and Maties/WP in the process)…
I have picked up that players from the 3 primary schools (Susannah Fourie, Frans Conradie and Sonop) are in high demand not only in the EC, but also SWD, with a couple from Susannah Fourie even featuring in the very successful EG Jansen side recently.