Half-century in Midlands derby
Weston and Treverton will do battle for the 50th time as Weston celebrate their Centenary year at home in the big FNB Classic Clash on Wednesday.
Last year Weston travelled to Treverton and handed their rivals a massive 64-13 defeat to avenge the consecutive losses in the two previous years, so there is plenty for both teams to play for this time around.
Weston flyhalf and captain Michael Bauer is one of only three players in the team that played last year, and they are up against a more experienced Treverton side that boasts 11 Matrics to Weston's four.
Treverton's big forward pack is expected to take Weston on up front, with just one Weston forward back from last year's encounter, but the visitors also have plenty of options out wide with their entire backline having played at first team level last year.
Weston have also been hit by injuries with skipper Bauer recently returning after tearing ankle ligaments and star fullback James Duncan-Anderson still sidelined.
The stars for Weston should be skipper and Head Boy Bauer who has been selected for KZN Midland Under-18 and has been invited to KZN trials, along with flank James Muller who played Grant Khomo week for the Valke last year.
Results this season:
Weston have had some promising results, with five wins from their nine matches including victories over Dundee, Linpark and Pongola Academy, whilst they were well beaten by the likes of Sarel Cilliers and Linden.
Treverton have had a tougher time of it going down narrowly to Grantleigh and St Henry's, with their best win coming against The Heritage from Zimbabwe.
Teams:
Weston: 15 Brandon Slow, 14 Khulekani Malanda, 13 Wesley Liversage, 12 Nico Barkhuizen, 11 Wandile Nkambule, 10 Michael Bauer, 9 Thabo Ntombela, 8 Douglas Allen, 7 James Muller, 6 Samkelo Sima, 5 Kyle Mustard, 4 Josh Gilbert, 3 Meluswa Mthethwa, 2 Lulamile Kama, Sabelo Dube.
Replacements: 16 Bheka Nembula, 17 Luyanda Thabede, 18 Devon Roux, 19 Sphiwo Shelembe, 20 Dale Price, 21 Henry Strydom, 22 Jaco Vermaak.
Treverton: 15 Andrew Tilbury, 14 Marco Marais, 13 Khalipha Ngwenya, 12 Devon O'Brien, 11 Rylin Hennig, 10 Luke Richardson, 9 Francois Buys, 8 Darren Garlick, 7 Keagan Taylor, 6 Valentine Masinyane, 5 Stuart Shaw, 4 Lungani Gumede, 3 Jonothan Ogden, 2 Struan Cowie, 1 Tristan Pickering.
Replacements: 16 Langa Madikizela, 17 Darren Usher-Jones, 18 Igor Claassen, 19 Kanenelo Seoe, 20 Ivan van Zuydam, 21 Zuko Habile, 22 Donald Paterson.
Date: Wednesday, May 14
Venue: Weston
Kick-off: 15.00
Expected weather: Partly cloudy but dry with a high of 20
