Preview: Ben Vorster v Pietersburg
Home ground advantage will play a massive role when HS Ben Vorster host HS Pietersburg in a massive Classic Clash in Tzaneen on Saturday.
Neither side have managed run away victories in the past and the result can go any way with Ben Vorster coach Hein Wagner believing the mentally stronger team will come out on top.
"There has been nothing to choose form between the sides over the years and I believe this year will be no different. The results have been fairly even and the match can go any way.
"Fortunately, the winning side has generally been the home team which works in our favour on Saturday but we will not be relying on what happened in the past to affect our focus for this encounter. We have had good preparation for the match and are fortunate to not have any injury concerns.
"They [Pietersburg] are really strong up-front and a big centre pairing. So we know they will look to dominate up-front in order to hit us in midfield. For us, our No.8 Stefan Engelbrecht will be one to keep your eyes on as well as our back trio of Danny Mokhoabane, Floyd Ntimane and Pule Molokomme. Those players have the skills and overall awareness to turn any game on its head," Wagner said.
His counterpart, Pietersburg's Pierre Coetzee stated that despite them being hit by two injuries, his team will have the experience to come out on top as they boast five Craven Week players.
"Five of our players will be at Craven Week this year and we will be looking to utilise their skills the best way we can for a positive end result. On the whole, the team is well balanced but we know they are expecting a battle up-front.
"They have speed and skill in their backline and the only way they are able to make use of that is if their forwards provide good ball to release their backs. So we will be looking to keep the ball away from their forwards.
In saying all of that though, this game will not be won by the physically stronger team but by the side who is mentally tougher and switched on," Coetzee said.
Teams:
Ben Vorster: 15 Danny Mokhoabane, 14 Floyd Ntimane, 13 Brett Viljoen, 12 Handu Pretorius, 11 Pule Molokomme, 10 Shima Mphalele, 9 Eduan Smit, 8 Stefan Engelbrecht, 7 Tiaan Vorster (captain), 6 Thapelo Molapo, 5 Janco Erasmus, 4 Jacques Venter, 3 Dieter Meyer, 2 Hanco Taljaard, 1 Matimu Mangangi.
Replacements: 16 JJ Anker, 17 Jannie Jordaan, 18 Jaco Karasseit, 19 Ruben Jordaan, 20 Welmar Pieterse, 21 Johan Buitendag, 22 Andre Klopper, 23 Ruben Ragolane.
Pietersburg: 15 Floyd Ledwaba, 14 Miguel de Sousa, 13 JV Coertze, 12 Diaan Coertze, 11 Wilrico Gadney, 10 Morne Venter, 9 Franco vd Watt, 8 Tyrone Thompson, 7 Salie Vermaak, 6 Zander Human, 5 Kobus Botha, 4 Jannie Siertseman, 3 Jan-Barend Meyer, 2 Johan du Preez, 1 Stefan Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Tertius du Plessis, 17 Martin Halgreen, 18 Herman Joubert, 19 Gavin Nel, 20 Stiaan Pistorius, 21 TJ Roos, 22 Rikus Fick.
Referee: Johre Botha
Assistant referees: Local
