CC: Itembelihle vs Ndzondelelo
The FNB Classic Clash in Port Elizabeth between Itembelihle Comprehensive School and Ndzondelelo High School is the biggest event of the rugby season, indeed of the year with an excited crowd of over 2,000 expected.
Again a close match is expected. Last year Itembelihle won just 6-0 when Ndzondelelo missed kicks at goal.
Itembelihle have three players back from that match – captain Lwandile Dabalele, who was at flyhalf last year but is now in the centre, powerful eighthman Sipho Ngwalangwala and front-ranker Bantu Mene who was at loosehead last year but is on the bench this year though he is the only player in either side who is a triallist for the Eastern Province Craven Week side.
Ndzondelelo have two players back – flyhalf Ayanda Hanabe, and loosehead Thabo Mlindi who is the captain of the team.
Neither side has had a lot of rugby this season. Ndzondelelo's best results were probably their 12-8 win over Alexander Road and their 10-8 win over Bergsig of North West Province, both at the Despatch Festival while Itembelihle's best result may well be their 20-13 defeat at the hands of Graeme College.
Theo Pieterse, who has been teaching and coaching with vast enthusiasm for 33 years at Itembelihle, believes that the strength of his team lies in its skilful, speedy backline and in the power of Siya Ngwalangwala at eighthman.
There will be added lustre to the occasion with attendance of Robbie Kempson, Gareth Wright, Anele Pamba, David Maidza, Alan Solomons and Cheeky and Luke Watson.
The teams:
Ndzondelelo: 15 Khanyoso Doyi, 14 Siyanda Moto, 13 Khanyiso Pini, 12 Iviwe Metuto, 11 Siya Mamnkeia, 10 Ayanda Hanabe (vice-captain), 9 Gumede Siyanda, 8 Thandolwethu Mhluba, 7 Siphesihle Maganu, 6 Siphosethu Zigoxo, 5 Xolisa Matshoba, 4 Phumlani Zuthu, 3 Lutho Sikilishe, 2 Zwelibunzi, 1 Thabo Mlindi (captain).
Replacements: 16 Simphiwe Mapipa, 17 Ayabulela Khame, 18 Masixole Kaya, 19 Kholekile Mngakana, 20 Phumelela Mukisi, 21 Zipho Sam Njabulo, 22 Siphosethu Gqumane.
Coaches: Gerald Antonie, T Killer
Itembelihle: 15 Mziwethu Lamani, 14 Ayanda Ngona, 13 Raka Moabi, 12 Lwandile Dabalele (captain), 11 Thabiso Mendu, 10 Bora Mantana, 9 Zukile Mgqukuza, 8 Siya Ngwalangwala, 7 Vusumzi Faku, 6 Mbulelo Shuwana, 5 Athenkosi Faku, 4 Mbulelo Shuwana, 3 Beko Mazana, 2 Mzi Koyana, 1 Attie Vela.
Replacements: 16 Bantu Mene, 17 Luphumlo Nomzanga, 18 AN Other, 19 Siya Nyalungu, 20 Ace Williams, 21 Siya Ntsangani, 22 Sakhumzi Ndamase.
Coach: Theo Pieterse
Date: Friday, 25 May, 2012
Kick-off: 15.30
Venue: Wolfson Stadium, Kwazakhele, Port Elizabeth
Expected weather conditions: Partly cloudy with fog and a high of 24°C, dropping to 14°C
Referee: Riaan Gayi
