Graeme wait for St Andrew's
Mind you, it still has its confrontations, no longer Brit vs Xhosa, but battles where words are the weapons and, with great enthusiasm, rugby balls.
Grahamstown enjoys thoroughly its derbies with local teams Kingswood, Graeme and St Andrew's involved with visits from Grey PE, Selborne, Dale and Queen's to add the spice of variety.
But nothing equals the local derbies – three every year, K-Day when Kingswood and St Andrew's meet, Kingswood vs Graeme and then Graeme vs St Andrew's which happens this Saturday with the added glitter of being and FNB Classic Clash.
Matches between St Andrew's College, which calls itself College, and Graeme College date back to at least 1878 when the third school in Grahamstown playing the game was St Aidan's, the Jesuit school since closed.
It is an old fixture that continues to bring a sparkle to the eyes of the good burghers of the town. For years and years the Xhosa inhabitants watched – and bet – at these matches. Now, following merciful change, they can watch their own engaged in intense contest.
Generally, St Andrew's have been easily the better of the two sides, but not recently. The 76-0 of 2010 will not happen in 2017. In 2011 St Andrew's won 10-7, in 2012 10-6, in 2013 23-22, in 2014 31-17 and then came 2015 and a red letter day for Graeme as they won 24-20. It did not matter how close it was, for the victory was glorious.
On Lower Field last year St Andrew's won 23-7. But in the last three matches up on Somerset Field, the points for and against are level. There is little between the two schools, which is such a healthy situation for the whole of Grahamstown.
This year both sides have had their moments. Graeme has won four of their six matches, losing by small margins to Selborne and St Stithians.
St Andrew's have also lost twice – by small margins to Bishops and SACS.
The only opponents they have in common are St David's, the Marist school in Johannesburg. Graeme beat them 24-3, St Andrew's 39-10.
It could well be a close affair when on Saturday when St Andrew's walk down the dip, over Beaufort Street and up to Somerset Heights and Graeme College.
Teams:
Graeme College: 15 Bukhosi Mhlambiso, 14 Matthew Robertson, 13 Lelethu Cekiso, 12 Siphelele Ngoma, 11 Odwa Basson, 10 Sivuyisiwe Ngqiyaza, 9 Cameron Amos, 8 Thandwefika Mgidlana, 7 Mhlangabezi Ntwanambi, 6 Julian Gardner (captain), 5 Donovan Brits, 4 Arnouw Nel, 3 Wonga Wakashe, 2 Mijean Annandale, 1 Athenkosi Nkewana
St Andrew's College: 15 Byron Sharwood, 14 Jack Allanson, 13 Matt More, 12 Charlie Flemming, 11 Will M Adam, 10 Murray Koster , 9 Oscar Evans, 8 Zadok Makani, 7 Christian Roebert, 6 Graham De Vos, 5 Jason Brown , 4 James Quarmby, 3 Callum Dugmore, 2 Dean Jenkins, 1 Chulumanco Mngxaso
Replacements: 16 Chris Renwick, 17 Matt Barlow, 18 Alex Menage, 19 Miles Dankwerts, 20 Brett Harvey, 21 Gareth De Vos, 22 Dave Rushmere, 23 Ant More
Date: Saturday, 6 May 2017
1st XV kick-off: 15.45
Venue: Somerset Field, Graeme College, Grahamstown
Expected weather: This is always dangerous in Grahamstown which has weather rather than climate but the prediction is that it will be partly cloudy with a strong chance of rain and a high of 19°C, dropping to 10°C.
Rugby Programme
Somerset Field
09.00: Under-14A
10.00: Under-15A
11.00: Under-16A
12.00: 4th XV vs St Andrew's 5th XV
13.15: 3rd XV
14.30: 2nd XV
15.45: 1st XV
Marais Field
09.00: Under-16B
10.00: 5th XV vs St Andrew's 6th XV
11.15: Under-14B
12.15: Under-15B
