College and Glenwood head to Wildeklawer
KwaZulu-Natal’s two representative teams at this year’s prestigious Wildeklawer Skouspel will both have their work cut out for them when they take two of the Western Cape’s finest teams on Day One.
Maritzburg College will be making their debut at the event. KwaZulu-Natal’s most successful ever rugby school have a mouthwatering game against Paul Roos of Stellenbosch on Saturday morning.
Glenwood who has succeeded College as the number one team in the province in recent seasons, will be up straight afterwards. The Green Machine, as they are often referred to, meets the high-flying Paarl Gim, in what simply has to be described as a must-watch game.
Adding to the interest is that both sets of teams attended the same festivals during March/April. This means they already know a fair amount about each other’s strengths, weaknesses and style of play; signifying that to an extent the preparations for the matches has been along the lines of professional teams. No doubt this aspect will to add to the excitement and intensity of both match-ups.
Glenwood don’t have things any easier on Matchday Two when they take on the impressive Outeniqua from George. Again this is a team that Glenwood know a fair bit about.
College on the other hand is up against hosts Diamantveld on Day Two and have confessed to knowing absolutely nothing about their opponents for what could prove to be a tricky encounter.
Steve Botha, College’s Rugby Administrator, stated: “We have a heavy weekend ahead of us, and we know that we need to front up physically for the game on Saturday and Monday. Defence is going to be key to success up there this weekend.”
Glenwood coach Sean Erasmus added: “We have focused on doing and executing our patterns correctly and being technically sound with all our plays. We’ve worked hard at our phase play and being more accurate at breakdown time.”
In local KwaZulu-Natal action, the pick of the games takes place on Gilfillan Field at Hilton where Kearsney are aware that they will have to produce their best form if they are to beat hosts Hilton.
Amongst the Hilton players worth keeping an eye on are the halfback pairing of Cameron Wright and Jonathan Hugo, two decision-makers that possess the ability to heavily influence the outcome of the game.
Kearsney have been battling with a number of niggling injuries this week. They will once again look to their three big ball-carriers in the pack to get them in behind the Hilton defensive line and open up opportunities for exciting backs like centre Sandile Khubeka and fullback Matt Reece-Edwards.
St Charles will have their hands full containing the sensational centre Michael Mvelase when they play hosts to Michaelhouse. Flyhalf Rob Anderson takes over as House’s captain from the injured Justin Moberly.
House have the ability amongst the backs to threaten from anywhere on the park but look out for hard-working forwards like No.8 Josh Moon and hooker Stephan Hartman to lay the all-important foundations first.
Enjoy the rugby.
By Beet
