Farmers meet in Classic Clash
The sheep farmers of Cradock head down to the mixed farmers of Riversdale for an FNB Classic Clash – Marlow against Oakdale.
The two agricultural schools get on really well. This year it is the Wolramme's turn to enjoy the best hospitality in the world. It will be a fun day, and the rugby will be played with great enthusiasm.
Oakdale will be definite favourites. They have a better record this year and are at home.
Throughout the season Oakdale have been there and thereabouts on the FNB Top 20 where Marlow usually are but not this year.
Both schools are small but their rugby is big, a way of life for the tight-knit, all-boys boarding schools, and they travel a great deal to play, especially Marlow who have little opposition close at hand. They are both fearless and play anybody anywhere.
The season thus far
Oakdale's opponents are from Clanwilliam, Kimberley, Klerksdorp, Rustenburg, Bellville,. Oudtshoorn, Worcester, Krugersdorp, Stellenbosch, George and Paarl.
Marlow roam as well and play teams from Bloemfontein, Kimberley, King William's Town, Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage, Pretoria, East London, Queenstown and Grahamstown.
In all that wandering their only common opponents were Noord-Kaap of Kimberley who beat Marlow 44-8 and Oakdale 22-21.
In general Oakdale played more top schools but then Riversdale is much close to Paarl, Stellenbosch and George with their strong sides than any strong side is close to Cradock.
Marlow played 14 matches, winning five. Oakdale played 16, winning eight.
Representative players
Marlow had six players in Eastern Province Country Districts at Craven Week – Ronnie Beyl, Dean Ferreira, Jaco Ferreira, Juandré Fourie, Nelius van Heerden and Sean van Zyl.
Oakdale had seven players in the South Western Districts Craven Week side – JP Coetzee, Juandré Rudolph, Tinus van Schalkwyk, Simon Snyman, Jurgen van Staden, Myburgh Brïers and the captain Piet-Louw Strauss.
Marlow had three players in the Eastern Province Country Districts Academy side, Oakdale seven in the South Western Districts Academy Week side.
Prediction: Oakdale are clearly the favourites. Last year Oakdale won 14-12 in Cradock. They may have an easier time this year.
Oakdale: 15 Myburg Briers, 14 JP Coetzee, 13 Lex Botha, 12 Paul Streicher, 11 Dylan Beukes, 10 Gene Willemse, 9 Nico Truter, 8 Juandré Rudloph, 7 François du Toit, 6 Benjamin Janse van Vuuren, 5 Stefan Streicher, 4 Donovan van der Berg, 3 Piet-Louw Strauss (captain), 2 Simon Snyman, 1 David Marais.
Coaches: Willie van Rensburg, Thys Rall, Pine Marais
Marlow: 15 Dirk van Wyk, 14 Norvan du Preez, 13 Chris Hoffman, 12 Jaco Ferreira, 11 Juandré Fourie, 10 Heini Brümm, 9 Devon van Eyk, 8 Sean van Zyl, 7 Fanie Venter, 6 Nelius van Heerden, 5 Melville Gravett (captain), 4 Stephen Botha, 3 Ronnie Beyl, 2 Rossouw Janse van Rensburg, 1 Dean Ferreira.
Coaches: Derik Olivier, Stoney Steenkamp
Date: Saturday, 28 July (2012)
Kick-off: 12.30pm
Venue: Oakdale Agricultural School, Riversdale.
Expected weather conditions: Mostly sunny with a high of 17°C and a low of 8°C.
Rugby programme – Saturday, 28 July:
De Eike Field
08.45: Under-15A
09.55: Under-16A
11.05: Under-19B
12.30: Under-19A
Populierbos
08.45: Under-19E
09.55: Under-19C
11.05: Under-19D
Ten Damme
08.45: Under-15C
09.50: Under-15B
11.00: Under-19F
Donkerbos
08.45: Under-16B
09.50: Under-14A
11.00: Under-14B
