Classic Clash in Middelburg
The match is an FNB Classic Clash, televised live this year.
The Rooibulle are usually one of the top rugby schools in South Africa, opponents to respect and even fear. This year it has not been the case.
The Rooibulle have lost seven of their 11 matches but then they play top sides. They lost twice to Monnas and then to Dale, Stellenberg and Menlopark. They were on the Top 20 but have slipped off it after losing five matches in a row.
Not that the Middies have done well. They have won just three of their nine matches – against Wesvalia, Daniël Pienaar and New Orleans. Drostdy is the only Top 20 team they have [played and then they were beaten 45-5. Die Anker of Brakpan beat them 49-5 and Lichtenburg beat them 43-13. Riekert Barnrad, the HTS flyhlaf was in the Pumas Craven Week side last year.
One has the feeling that the Rooibulle could just run away with the match, but rugby can be a surprising game.
Teams
HTS Middelburg: 15 Morné Sonnekus, 14 Barend Janse van Rensburg, 13 MC Kuhn, 12 Andries Koen, 11 Michael van der Walt, 10 Riekert Barnard, 9 Uys du Preez, 8 Ruvaan Muller, 7 Tiaan de Beer, 6 Henco van Heerden, 5 Frans Malan, 4 Reece Bezant, 3 Brandon Pienaar, 2 Duart Willemse (captain), 1 Tikka Cilliers
Replacement: 16 Alten Nelson, 17 Carlo Nortje, 18 Andries Vorster, 19 Armand Bester, 20 Dolf Rossouw, 21 Martin Erasmus, 22 Joubert Willers, 23 Koos Roux
Hoërskool Middelburg: 15 Jo-Dey Hendricks, 14 Siyanda Maseko, 13 TT Mosia, 12 Okke van der Kolff, 11 Marco Pretorius, 10 Coenraad Visser, 9 Chris Steyn, 8 Cornel Els, 7 Divan Roberts, 6 Kyle Hambidge, 5 Nathan Mey, 4 Michael Benade, 3 Joseph Olivier, 2 Stephan Kempen, 1 Vickus Smit
Replacements: 16 Loyiso Masinyane, 17 Armand Terblanche, 18 Delmain Pieterse, 19 Jaco Venter, 20 Ruan Cronje, 21 Anrich van Wyk, 22 Janco Fritz, 23 Leehan Nieman, 24 Unathi Poyo
Date: 13 May 2017
1st XV kick-off: 12.00
TV broadcast: Supersport channel 210
Venue: A Field, HTS MIddelburg
Expected weather: Cool with some rain, a high of 11°C and a low of 5°C
Rugby Programme, 13 May 2017
A Field
07.50: Under-14A
08.55: Under-15A
10.00: Under-16A
12.00: 1st XV
Gifillan Park A
07.50: Under-15B
08.55: 2nd XV
10.00: 3rd XV
Gilfillan Park B
07.50: Under-16B
08.55: 4th XV
10.00: Under-14B
Results Down the Years
1935: Hoërskool Middelburg won 16-6
1945: Hoërskool Middelburg won 10-8
1950: Draw
1950: HTS Middelburg won 9-3
1963: HTS Middelburg won 11-0
1964: Hoërskool Middelburg won 8-3
1965: Hoërskool Middelburg won 3-0
1966: Hoërskool Middelburg won 11-6
1969: HTS Middelburg won 12-5
1976: HTS Middelburg won 11-9
1977: Hoërskool Middelburg won 10-6
1978: Hoërskool Middelburg won 12-3
1979: Draw 4-4
1983: Hoërskool Middelburg won 31-3
1987: Draw 13-13
1989: HTS Middelburg won 13-4
2009: Hoërskool Middelburg won 33-10
2010: HTS Middelburg won 25-10
2011: HTS Middelburg won 21-18
2012: HTS Middelburg won 30-27
2013: HTS Middelburg won 29-16
2014: HTS Middelburg won 44-12
2015: HTS Middelburg won 41-26
2016: HTS Middelburg won 67-6
