Marais Viljoen out to prove a point
Marais Viljoen take on rival Hoërskool Florida in an FNB Classic Clash on Saturday hoping that they can erase the memories of last years result.
Both sides have had contrasting seasons so far and it has been Florida that have enjoyed much better results having won the majority of their games comapred to their opposition.
Marais Viljoen have battled this season after they registered a win early in the season and then hitting a fairly substantial slump but are on the way back after they fought out a brave draw against Pietersberg last weekend.
There is one team that both of these teams have played and that is Transvalia, both sides lost but it is interesting to note the deficits of their losses. Marais Viljoen went down quite badly 58-17 to them but Florida only narrowly lost 17-15.
If this is annything to go by the Florida side might head into the game on Saturday as the favourites but on a derby day it is anyones game and the side that is more passionate will often come out on top.
Last season saw Florida romp home to a 65-0 win over Marais Viljoen in an incredibly one-sided affair but after a humiliation like that one can only believe that Marais Viljoen are going to be a completely different outfit on Saturday.
It is still going to be a massive challenge for Marais Viljoen but if Florida do slip-up then they will be there to pounce on the advantage.
The teams:
Marais Viljoen: 15 Forrest Roos, 14 Shaldon Marais, 13 Fenton Smit, 12 Damian Diedericks, 11 Brendon Pelser, 10 Ruan Taljaard, 9 Reynard Burger, 8 Ruaan Johnson, 7 Tiaan Hitzerhoth, 6 André Lombaard, 5 Hilké Kleynhans, 4 Brandon Morkel, 3 Tiaan de Beer, 2 Henco Saaiman, 1 Alex Steyn.
Replacements: 16 Harrold Cooper, 17 Marco Kleynhans, 18 Ruan Steenkamp, 19 Danny du Plooy, 20 Brandon Kruger, 21 Reggie Roux, 22 Tumi Bohata.
Florida: 15 Justin Bhana, 14 Jako Barnard, 13 Fernando Kermis, 12 Ruhann Ferreira, 11 Rawlton October, 10 Erwin Harris, 9 Brandon Rieck, 8 Hilroy Baadjies, 7 Armand Goosen, 6 Joseph Dweba, 5 Arne' Bognich (captain), 4 Wayne Pearson, 3 Kyle Kruger, 2 Waldo Esterhuizen, 1 Morne Strydom.
Replacement: 16 Niekie Brown,17 Henre' Saaiman,18 Marko Botha,19 Ricardo de Villiers, 20 Lefono Ngwenya, 21 Willie Bronkhorst, 22 Ashley Lindewal.
Date: Saturday, May 18
Venue: Marais Viljoen, Johannesburg
Expected weather: A cool afternoon with the notorious Highveld thunderstorm a possibility. A high of 15°C is predicted.
