Eastern Province schools preview
Framesby and Grey High, who provided the bulk of the players for the Eastern Province Craven Week team, will clash in the feature match of the weekend when the Eastern Province schools rugby programme resumes on Saturday (July 25) following the mid-year break.
Perennially two of Nelson Mandela Bay's leading teams, these sides should provide a cracking showdown at Framesby in a game where the home team will be desperate to overturn a losing streak which stretches back to 2012.
In the last three years, Grey have called the shots, albeit in extremely well contested matches, and their record this year suggests they will go into the match as favourites for their fourth win in a row.
Grey have lost just two of 13 matches this year and have not tasted defeat since their loss to Paul Roos in April. The home side, on the other hand, have lost nine of 13 games, but both teams know that the past will count for nothing when the whistle blows tomorrow.
In another prominent clash, St Andrew's travel to Marlow to take on their country districts counterparts in a game which is always well contested.
The Grahamstown side will bring their normal running game to the match and warmed up with a win over Loughborough Grammar School from the United Kingdom on Monday.
But they know they will have to be at their best to against the tough Marlow lads to repeat their victory of last year.
There should be an interesting fixture in Grahamstown when both Graeme and Pearson look to start the third term on a high note, while Brandwag should begin as favourites against Despatch, but cannot take the home side lightly.
After some good performances in the Cape Schools Week, Muir should have the edge over Woodridge, while Daniel Pienaar, despite several losses this season, will provide Kingswood with a stiff examination, also in Uitenhage.
The fixtures, subject to change, are (home teams first, 11.30 start unless stated):
Aeroville vs Ukhanyo
Alexander Road vs Cillie
Cambridge vs Westering (12.45)
DF Malherbe vs Otto du Plessis (11.00)
Danile Pienaar vs Kingswood (12.10)
Despatch vs Brandwag (14.30)
Framesby vs Grey High (15.00)
Gamble vs Uitenhage
Graeme vs Pearson (13.30)
Grens vs Adelaide Gymnasium
John Walton vs Solomon Mahlangu
Marlow vs St Andrew's (14.00)
Muir vs Woodridge (11.50)
Ndzondelelo vs David Livingstone
Newton Tech vs Andrew Rabie
Port Alfred vs Ithembelihle
Victoria Park vs Humansdorp
By Neale Emslie
