Big FNB Clash in Kroonstad
It's the match of the year in Kroonstad – Afrikaanse Hoërskool Kroonstad vs Hoërskool Kroonstad – Rooiskool vs Blouskool. Thousands of people turn out annually for the match that grips the town.
Last year Blouskool had a strong side, leading 13-9 with time running out when flyhalf François van Biljon dropped a goal and fullback Stefan Schoeman scored a try to snatch victory from the home side.
That was Rooiskool's fourth successive win. The year before that they won 9-0 when Van Biljon kicked three penalty goals. Van Biljon is playing again this year.
This year Rooiskool are firm favourites. They have had a much better season and are playing at home.
The season
A cursory glance at the season will tell how much better Rooiskool have been doing.
Results against common opponents
Sentraal: Blouskool lost 59-15, Rooiskool last 19-17
HTS Welkom: Blouskool lost 30-15; Rooiskool won 26-5
Bethlehem Voortrekker: Blouskool lost 81-10, Rooiskool 49-16
Witteberg: Blouskool lost 29-12; Rooiskool won 45-22
Representative players
François van Biljon was the only player from the two schools to go to Craven Week in a side dominated by Bethlehem Voortrekker, Hentie Cilliers and Welkom Gim.
Five Rooiskool players have been playing for the Griffons Under-19 team – Danie van Zyl, Morné Bester, JP Nel, Hendré van Zyl and François Poolman.
Three of the team went to the Academy Week – Bertiaan Luyt, Stephan O'Donovan and Phillip van Zyl – a whole front row.
Kobus Kleyn, Gerhard Otto and TP Kleynhans have been to the Grant Khomo Week.
That is a lot of provincial representation.
Prediction: It would be risky to bet against the Rooiskool.
The teams:
Rooiskool: 15 John Potgieter, 14 Armand Havenga, 13 Kobus Kleyn, 12 Danie van Zyl, 11 Jaco Combrinck, 10 François van Biljon (captain), 9 Aldert van Wyngaardt, 8 Charl de Coningh, 7 Gerhard Otto, 6 Morné Bester, 5 JP Nel, 4 TP Kleynhans, 3 Bertiaan Luyt, 2 Stephan O’Donovan, 1 Philip van Zyl.
Replacements: 16 Hendré van Zyl, 17 Francois Poolman, 18 David Rule, 19 Henry Searle, 20 Juandré Uys, 21 Robbie Petzer, 22 Nico Potgieter.
Blouskool: 15 PD Marais, 14 Louis Odendaal, 13 Charles Westley, 12 Reinhard Kleinhans, 11 Wimpie Strydom, 10 JM Janse van Rensburg, 9 Kobus Crous, 8 JC le Grange, 7 Tony Jardim, 6 Erik Rossouw, 5 Dawid van Oudtshoorn, 4 Corné Fick, 3 Thato Potsane, 2 Renier Moolman, 1 Willem Botes
Replacements: 16 Brandon McGrail, 17 Arno van Greunen, 18 Jaco van Oudtshoorn, 19 Jason Engelbrecht, 20 Alvin Westraadt, 21 Corné Khun, 22 Divan Swanepoel
Date: Saturday, 28 July (2012)
Kick-off: 13.15
Venue: AHS Kroonstad, Rooiskool
Recent winners:
1998: Blouskool
1999: Blouskool
2000: Rooiskool
2001: Rooiskool
2002: Blouskool
2003: Draw
2004: Blouskool
2005: Blouskool
2006: Rooiskool
2007: Blouskool
2008: Rooiskool
2009: Rooiskool
2010: Rooiskool
2011: Rooiskool
