Bloemfontein FNB Classic Clash
On Saturday afternoon Hoërskool Sentraal of Bloemfontein plays host to Hoërskool Jim Fouché of Bloemfontein in an FNB Classic Clash, which could just be a close encounter.
These are two schools that can both play excellent rugby, capable of beating really strong sides – just not Grey College. Neither of them had a player in the 2013 Free State Craven Week side which was chosen from just two schools – Grey and HTS Louis Botha.. The same was almost true for 2012, except for one player – Juandré van der Berg of Sentraal.
This Year
Both sides have played eight matches. JF have won six of theirs and Tralies four, but Tralies have played tougher opposition. JF have beaten both of the strong Bethlehem schools, Voortrekker and Witteberg, and they gave Hoërskool Middelburg a 29-7 hiding. But nothing that they have done equals Sentraal's victories over Noord-Kaap, Hentie Cilliers and then – wonderful to relate – Waterkloof. On the other hand Sentraal have been more erratic, losing to AHS Kroonstad (Rooiskool) and 51-17 to Grey's second team. Oakdale beat them 12-7.
The only opponents they have in common are Fichardtpark.
JF beat Fichardtpark 21-20; Tralies lost to Fichardtpark 33-29. There is nothing much to deduce from these scores.
This year Sentraal played in the Oakdale Festival. Flyhalf DP de Lange was chosen as the back of the tournament. He and fullback SJ Fourie and prop Lafras Becker were chosen as well as lock SJ Wessels who will not be playing against JF.
Past
Sentraal and Jim Fouché play each other twice a year. But Tralies have won just once on the last four meetings.
2012: Sentraal won 29-16; Jim Fouché won 29-16
2013: Jim Fouché won 28-27 and 30-24
History suggests there is little between the two schools.
Experience
Jim Fouché have four players back from the side that won last year – fullback Danneel Stone, scrumhalf Marco Vermeulen, hooker Hanno Spies, who was a flank last year, and lock Jandré Briedenhann.
Sentraal have just two back – flyhalf DP de Lange and prop Lafras Becker.
Teams
Sentraal: 15. SJ Fourie, 14. Zirk Kok, 13. Martyn Jacobs, 12. Denzille Fiff, 11. Jan le Roux, 10. DP de Lange (captain), 9. Steffno Eckard, 8. Kobus Lombaard, 7. Ben Kok, 6. EP Nel, 5. Fanie du Randt, 4. Hennie Terblance 3. Lafras Becker, 2. Edik du Plooy, 1. Pieter Kotze,
Replacements: 16. ÀJ Page, 17. Hennie du Plessis, 18. Roan van der Westhuizen, 19. Hanno Prinsloo, 20. Christiaan Geyer, 21. Franco Mostert, 22. Tumi Kukhele
Jim Fouché: 15. Danneel Jean Stone, 14. Thiardt Ingram, 13. JP Steyn, 12. Ruan Wasserman, 11. Brendon Peyper, 10. Tiaan Schutte, 9. Marco Vermeulen, 8. Juan-Pierre van der Westhuizen, 7. Cornelius Botha, 6. Petri Kleynhans, 5. Ian Trollip, 4. Jandré Briedenhann, 3. Anton Noordman, 2. Hanno Spies, 1. Marco Coetzer
Replacements: 16. Eric Azar, 17. Danie Klinck, 18. Zandré Pienaar, 19. Anton Jacobs, 20. Keith Malemo, 21. Tumi Phuroe, 22. Marcel Briedenhann
Date: Saturday, 17 May 2014
1st XV kick-off: 14.30
Venue: Hoërskool Sentraal
Expected weather conditions: Clear with a high of 19,°C dropping to 3°C
Rugby Programme for Saturday
There are many activities including hockey, netball, golf, mountainbiking, chess and tennis.
A Field
08.30: Under-14A
09.30: Under-16A
10.50: Under-15A
12.00: 2nd XV
14.30: 1st XV
B Field
08.30: Under-15B
09.30: 3rd XV
10.50: Under-14B
12.00: Under-16B
