Can Parktown turn the tables?

Parktown will be looking to cause an upset when they host St Johns in their FNB Classic Clash in Johannesburg on Saturday.

St Johns have got the better of Parktown in the recent past, with Parktown coach Andrew van Zyl never having tasted victory over their rivals, so the home side will be very motivated to turn things around this weekend.

Parktown have won six out of their 11 matches so far this year, and they face a St Johns team that has recently found some good form after a testing start to the season.

The visitors will have the advantage up front thanks to their big pack of forwards, and with thundershowers predicted for Saturday the conditions could play into their hands.

Parktown's strengths are their speedy backline and committed defence, so much of the responsibility will fall on skipper Nikiwe Sekhibidu to control the game from flyhalf.

St Johns will look to impose themselves in the tight exchanges and force the home side to play from their own half in the wet conditions.

However, Parktown are desperate to get one over their 'bogey team' and they will be highly motivated to give a good account of themselves in this local derby.

Teams:

Parktown: 15 Wayne Davenhill, 14 Bradley Dube, 13 Innocent Ngwenya, 12 Brandon Hobden, 11 Tshepo Montsho, 10 Nikiwe Sekhibidu, 9 Michael Moyo, 8 Jason Matthee, 7 Stuart McCulloch, 6 Zander Worst, 5 Emile Bosch, 4 Brandon Carter, 3 Terence Reader, 2 Rudhir Mahabeer, 1 Dylan Rigney.

Replacements: 16 Brandon Henning, 17 Collan Rex, 18 Michael Whittaker, 19 Nkosinathi Dlamini, 20 Andrew Page, 21 Karaden Molense, 22 Bradley Joslin.

St Johns: 15 Tiaan Oberholzer, 14 Joseph Kamangu, 13 Coner Moses, 12 Michael Du Toit, 11 Daniel Katz, 10 Oliver Gnodde, 9 Dylan Testa, 8 Devon Henson, 7 Thapelo Rapelwana, 6 James Eckersley, 5 Rufaro Warinda, 4 Devon Stone, 3 Alistair Marquis, 2 Lee Pan, 1 Pilani Qwabe.

Venue: Parktown Boys High

Kick-off: 12.30

Expected weather: 60% chance of thundershowers, 17° with a 15km/h wind