Limpopo Classic Clash
Saturday sees the second FNB Classic Clash between Ben Vorster of Tzaneen and Pietersburg Hoërskool of Polokwane, without much doubt the two strongest sides in Limpopo.
Both teams had seasons of varying success so far. Ben Vorster started theirs with a big victory (50-7) over Standerton (2012’s Big Schools Beeld Trophy champions) in the PUK Interprovincial series, only to go down 32-29 against Montana in Pretoria a week later. As things turned out, Standerton is much weaker this year than previously, suffering an equal beating from Montana. Montana on the other hand proved to be a much improved team, going on to win the PUK series (easily disposing of Lichtenburg), Ben Vorster having to settle for 3rd place by easily beating Frikkie Meyer of Thabazimbi (44-20).
Ben Vorster had mixed success at the Bizhub Festival in Durban, unexpectedly losing to Die Anker (21-35), narrowly losing to Die Brandwag (8-10), but having the better of Stellenberg (28-21).
In between these games Ben Vorster scraped home against Bastion (24-22) in an away game and played poorly at home against Menlopark, losing 35-7.
Pietersburg played in the much tougher Nupower series, suffering losses against Centurion (29-45), Monument (22-50), Vereeniging Gym (0-21) and Klerksdorp (18-36), with a 20-20 draw against Marais Viljoen for the last place play off.
They attended the Oakdale Festival with equally mixed results, narrowly losing to Hugenote of Wellington (15-19), a narrow but credible win over Voortrekker of Betlehem (8-5) and losing heavily against Sentraal of Bloemfontein (8-36).
They scraped a 25-24 away win against Merensky (who is not the force they used to be) and lost at home to Affies 2nd team (19-27).
The two teams have one opponent in common, which could be a pointer of what to expect. Ben Vorster played Helpmekaar College away, narrowly winning a thrilling match by 31-28. Pietersburg played Helpmekaar at home, losing 5-41.
With that in mind and the game being played in Tzaneen, one would expect Ben Vorster to take this one, but it can’t be taken for granted.
The match will be filmed and shown on television on Saturday night and subsequent to that.
By Henri Burger
Teams
Pietersburg: 15 Ruan Steynberg, 14 Pietman Pieterse, 13 Arno v Staden, 12 Jaco Retief (k), 11 Muller Coetzee, 10 Hardus Geldenhuys, 9 Nick Enslin, 8 Juandre Viljoen, 7 Vince Fibiger, 6 Jacques de Lange, 5 JR Visagie, 4 Johan Murray (Tokkie), 3 Erick Snyman, 2 Wiaan Pretorius (Tjoopie) (o/k), 1 Jacques Lister
Replacements: 16 Armand Moorcroft, 17 PJ Malan, 18 Biemond Hoogenboezem, 19 Francois Rousseau, 20 Friederich Cilliers, 21 Ansten Mokgokolo, 22 Lehan Viljoen, 23 Komape Moloto, 24 Arno Maree
Ben Vorster: 15 Leroy Ndlovu, 14 Floyd Ntimane, 13 Adriaan Maebane (captain), 12 Jinx Molapo, 11 Tshepiso Mahasha, 10 Andries Bruwer, 9 Theo Maree, 8 Erik van Niekerk, 7 Christopher Durow (vice-captain), 6 Theo Mahlo, 5 CR McSeveny, 4 Nico Bezuidenhout, 3 Magau Mabokela, 2 Mitch Mametja, 1 Madot Mabukela
Replacements: 16 Mauritz Joubert, 17 Allan Mhlanga, 18 Rossouw Kruger, 19 Diederik Oberholzer, 20 B J Vorster, 21 Vukosi Mabuza, 22 Surpise Mathabela
Date: Saturday, 1 June 2013
Kick-off: 13.00
Venue: Hoërskool Ben Vorster, Tzaneen
Television showing: SuperSport 1 (201) at 21.30 on Saturday. (Please check details)
Expected weather conditions: Sunny with a high of 25°C, dropping to 11°C.
