Garsies welcome Helpies
Not only is the first XV match been streamed live, but the curtainraiser to the first XV match will be a senior provincial match with an international flavour – a National Provincial Challenge match between the Blue Bulls and the Welwitschias of Namibia.
The first XV match is an interesting one in its own right. In recent years Garsfontein have been one of the top sides in South Africa – 11th in the Schools Top 20 in 2016. In that year Helpmekaar were ranked sixth. This year Helpmekaar are 11th and Garsfontein, in line with their recovery, into the group just below the Top 2-0.
Both are schools not shy to take on the best. Garsfontein have played six of their 11 matches against Top 20 teams, Helpmekaar six of their 10. Garsies have won six of their 11, Helpmekaar seven of their 10.
Garsfontein have beaten Boland Landbou and Nelspruit, but lost to Dr EG Jansen, Paarl Gim, Monument, Glenwood and Oakdale. Helpmekaar have beaten Eldoraigne, Selborne and Waterkloof but lost to Affies, Paul Roos and Nelspruit.
The only opponents they have in common are Nelspruit. Garsies beat them 32-20 while Helpies lost to them 19-12.
Last week Helpmekaar beat Waterkloof 45-8, a massive victory, while Garsfontein beat Menlopark 66-21.
It should be fascinating match between two in-form teams.
Teams
Garsfontein: 15 Juandré Scheepers, 14 Tiaan Thysse, 13 Diego Appollis, 12 Wesley Thompson, 11 Jano van der Cracht, 10 Campwill Willemse, 9 Keegan Johannes, 8 Gustav Meyer, 7 Johandré Buitendach, 6 Ruben Roodt, 5 Aldo Landsberg, 4 Jordan van Dyk, 3 Keanu Prinsloo, 2 Steven Billing, 1 Brailon Brandt.
Replacements: 16 Phillip White, 17 Schalk van der Merwe, 18 Adriaan Pretorius, 19 Ricardo Botha, 20 Junior Snyman, 21 Divan de Klerck, 22 Barry Schoombie, 23 Kallie Calitz.
Helpmekaar: 15 David Cary, 14 Frederick van Deventer, 13 Jeremy Randall, 12 Tommy van Tonder, 11 Zach Boonzaaier, 10 Tristan Oosthuizen, 9 Ruhan Viviers, 8 Ben Clarke, 7 Lehan du Toit, 6 Mark Snyman (captain), 5 Michael Amiras, 4 JC Kruger, 3 Quintusz Geyser, 2 Dameon Venter, 1 Ignis Meyer
Replacements: 16 Jean Engelbrecht, 17 Eugene Maritz, 18 Ryan Berkenbosch, 19 Dean Potgieter, 20 Alex Skudder, 21 Brandon Keevy, 22 Francois Scholtz, 23 Luan Göbel
Afrigters: Shaun Jackson, Johan van Wyk
Date: Saturday, 3 June 2017
1st XV kick-off: 15.10 (The match will be streamed live.)
Venue: Hoërskool Garsfontein, Pretoria
Expected weather conditions: Clear with a high of 23°C and a low of 7°C
Rugby Programme
A-Veld
08.00: Under-14A
09.00: Under-15A
10.00: 3rd XV
11.10: Under-16A
12.20: 2nd XV
13.30: Blue Bulls vs Welwitschias
15.10: 1st XV
B-Veld
08.00: Under-15C
09.00: Under-16B
10.10: Under-14B
11.10: Under-15B
