CC: The keen Uitenhage Derby
Two of South Africa’s very best rugby schools are in Uitenhage and on Saturday they meet in an FNB Classic Clash – Daniël Pienaar and Die Brandwag.
They are both enthusiastic rugby schools, willing to play anybody anywhere and they play all over the country as a result. They have each played nine matches already this season but so far they have had no opponents in common.
Daniël Pienaar, who have a slightly better record, have beaten DF Malherbe, DHS, Klein Nederburg, Florida, the strong Framesby side, Otto du Plessis, Windhoek Gymnasium and Hangklip of Queenstown. They have lost just once – to Michaelhouse.
Die Brandwag have beaten Cambridge, Aliwal-North, Sentraal of Bloemfontein, Marlow, Muir, Sand du Plessis, the strong Louis Botha side and Solomon Mahlangu, but Jim Fouché gave them a hiding.
The rivalry between the two, made all the more intense by Die Brandwag’s run of victories. The two teams have met six time in Classic Clashes and Die Brandwag have won the last four.
Recent results:
2006: Daniël Pienaar won 32-16
2007: Daniël Pienaar won 31-21
2008: Brandwag won 22-14
2009: Brandwag won 35-10
2010: Brandwag won 18-13
Last year’s match was played in pouring rain. If this year’s forecast is true the weather will be much, much better.
Daniël Pienaar were considered a young side last year and that seems to have been true as eight of the starting team in 2011 are back again this week – Darren Wright, Liaan Barnard, who was a centre last year and is at fullback this time, Marcelle Plaatjies, halfbacks Tevin Williams and François Nel, Aidon Davis, who captains the side this year, Tiaan Lötter and Pelser Hanekom.
Die Brandwag have three back from last year’s starting team and three more who were on the bench. Starters from last year are Romeo van Heerden, has moved from centre to fullback, prop Matthew Moore and the captain Riaan Esterhuizen who has moved from flank to centre. Ruhann du Preez, flyhalf Malcolm Jaer and Christo van Eeden were on the bench in 2011.
All things considered, it would seem that Daniël Pienaar start slight favourites, but then in such a derby all players are equal.
The teams:
Die Brandwag: 15 Romeo van Heerden, 14 Christo van Eeden, 13 F-Jay Scholtz, 12 Riaan Esterhuizen (captain), 11 Nicholas Lourens, 10 Malcolm Jaer, 9 Mario Mowers, 8 Ivan-John du Preez, 7 Elandré Crouse, 6 Anthony MacDonald (vice-captain), 5 Ruan du Preez, 4 Mornay Moos, 3 Matthew Moore, 2 Charl Higgs, 1 Erich de Jager.
Replacements: 16 Kaden Prince, 17 Jacques Hayward, 18 Elandré van der Merwe, 19 Dewan Lombard, 20 Ryno Weyers, 21 Derick du Toit, 22 Thinus Rothman.
Coaches: Jannie Erasmus, André van der Merwe
Daniël Pienaar: 15 Liaan Barnard, 14 Devon Davidson, 13 Jean-Pierre Naudé, 12 Marcelle Plaatjies, 11 Darren Wright, 10 Tevin Williams, 9 Francois Nel, 8 Aidon Davis (captain), 7 Tiaan Lötter, 6 Dylan Geldenhuys, 5 Ray Williams, 4 Pelser Hanekom, 3 Zander Möller, 2 Arno Lötter, 1 Marius Minnie.
Replacements: 16 Roché Herselman, 17 Phumlela Thanda, 18 Elandré Nel, 19 Frank Ferreira, 20 Kirwin Delport, 21 Robbie Van Wyk, 22 Lachlan Adams.
Coaches: Roux Brand, Nokkie Strydom
Date: Saturday, 5 May, 2012
Kick-off: 12.40
Venue: HTS Daniël Pienaar
Expected weather conditions: Mainly sunny with a high of 19°C, dropping to 11°C
