Neighbourly Rivalry in Bethlehem

It may be only two km but the distance between the two rugby teams in this keen rivalry has grown. The last time Witteberg won was in 2016. There was a draw the next year and since then Bethlehem Voortrekker have won the last eight times. It was close in 2011 but a huge result in 2012.

The whole of Bethlehem will know that the match is on, there will be much excitement in the lovely town and a big crowd at the match.

Recent Results

2006: Witteberg won 13-10

2007: Draw 13-13

2008: Bethlehem Voortrekker won 39-10

2009: Bethlehem Voortrekker won 46-14

2010: Bethlehem Voortrekker won 24-7

2011: Bethlehem Voortrekker won 25-24

2012: Bethlehem Voortrekker won 74-5

2013: Bethlehem Voortrekker won 36-3

2014: Bethlehem Voortrekker won 57-14

2015: Bethlehem Voortrekker won 18-3

Season so Far

Bethlehem Voortrekker have played 10, losing two. They lost the two –  3-0 to Brackenfell and 11-10 to Lichtenburg, both at the Oakdale Festival at the start of the season.

Witteberg have lost three of their seven matches, including heavy defeats at the hands of Louis Botha (35-0) and the strong Welkom Gim side (71-12).

Results against Common Opponents

Goudveld: Bethlehem Voortrekker won 43-22; Witteberg won 20-17

HTS Sasolburg: Bethlehem Voortrekker won 60-0; Witteberg won 56-0

Hentie Cilliers: Bethlehem Voortrekker won 28-22; Witteberg lost 31-29

Hoërskool Kroonstad (Blouskool): Bethlehem Voortrekker won 75-17; Witteberg won 46-14

Players of Note

Of the two teams only the Bethlehem Voortrekker fullback Marco Labuschagne was at Craven Week last year.

1st XVs

Bethlehem Voortrekker: 15 Marco Labuschagne, 14 Pieter van Zyl, 13 Jonathan Allison, 12 Bertus Kleynhans, 11 Willie Naudé, 10 Louis Viljoen, 9 George Badenhorst, 8 Michael Janse van Rensburg, 7 Wessel van Huyssteen, 6 Sakkie Mollentze, 5 Regard Smalberger, 4 Hercu Breitenbach, 3 André Claase, 2 Tiaan van Zyl, 1 Francois Klopper

Replacements: 16 Evan van der Merwe, 17 Jean-Bertus Janse van Vuuren, 18 Jan Carel Rossouw, 19 Ruan van Niekerk, 20 Nico Charilaou, 21 Hanru Coetzee, 22 Hennie du Plessis

Witteberg: 15 Franco Victor, 14 Jan Herman van Straten, 13 Erhard Bubb, 12 Rudolf van Biljon, 11 PJ Jonker, 10 George Sperschott, 9 Jason Roux, 8 Cronjé Meiring, 7 Daniel Jordaan, 6 Louis Oosthuizen, 5 Dirco Grobler, 4 Johannes van Graan, 3 Ruan Linde, 2 Nico van Rensburg, 1 JW Meades

Replacements: 16 Arno du Plessis, 17 Jacques Linde, 18 ST Meiring, 19 Niel Viljoen, 20 Quinten Mostert, 21 Karabelo Machabe, 22 Janco Welman

Date: 27 May 2016

1st XV kick-off: 14.00

Venue: Dirkie Park, Bethlehem Voortrekker. (Dirkie is the name of the team's teddybear mascot)

Expected weather conditions: Clear with a high of 19°C, dropping to 2°C – good weather for rugby.

Rugby Programme

Dirkie Park

09.00: Under-14A

10.00: Under-15 A

11.10: 2nd XV

12.20: Under-16 A

14.00: 1st XV

B Field

08.00: 3rd XV

09.05: Under-16B

10.10: 4th XV

11.05: Under-14B

12.10: Under-15B