Preview: Eldoraigne v Zwartkop

Another hard, tough and tight match is expected in Centurion when HS Eldoraigne face rivals HS Zwartkop in a Classic Clash on Saturday.

Eldoraigne have been rocked by some injuries to key forwards, however, coach Jakes Smit believes the squad system he is using allows him to make use of exciting young players who are more than capable of giving a good account themselves.

"We are well prepared, considering that we have been hit with a few injuries to the forwards and I will be bringing in some young players who might not have the experience but they definitely have the talent.

"We have employed a squad system this year and it has been working well for us. The senior players have really stepped up and are guiding the younger players, which is contributing to the overall success of the team. We have the ability to not have a set game plan but what we do is that we sum up our opponents on the day and are able to adjust accordingly.

"However, we do try to play attractive, running rugby. We are ready for the match and it will be interesting to see how the senior players help the young players in such a big match for the school," Smit said.

His counterpart, Zwartkop's Fielies Coetzee, is looking forward to exposing his young team to this environment as there has always been good competition between the schools.

"We have done our homework, are well prepared and really looking forward to this match. There has always been good competition between the schools, with really tight and tough matches and this game will be no different.

"We are a fairly inexperienced team as the majority of the players are in Grade 11 but we have great continuity in the squad and the competition for positions is great which keeps everyone on their toes.

"We know they are an experienced team who will keep us busy up front and look to create a platform to release their backline. We will not back down though and are ready for anything they throw at us," Coetzee stated.

Teams:

Eldoraigne: 15 Ruan Botha, 14 Trysten van Schalkwyk, 13 Martin du Toit, 12 Awie Small, 11 Marius van den Berg, 10 Armand De Beer, 9 Christiaan Claassen, 8 Brendan Haymans, 7 Willie Otto, 6 Andre Kruger, 5 Marcell Meyer, 4 Jannis Ackerman, 3 Williw Kilian, 2 Riaan Esterhuysen, 1 Stefan du Toit.

Replacements: 16 Dirkie Laubsher, 17 Xander du Toit, 18 Kabous Pelser, 19 Kevin Makkink, 20 Charl Lombaard, 21 Leon du Plessis, 22 Ettienne Tait, 23 Henko Stander.

Zwartkop: 15 Markus Bester, 14 Nicholas van Blerk, 13 Duan Strauss, 12 Michael Jacobs, 11 Hneku Venter, 10 Pieter Schoeman, 9 GJ Moller, 8 Raymond Yssel, 7 AJ Steynberg, 6 Natahn Nel, 5 Juandre Naude, 4 Lian Smit, 3 Munnik van der Merwe, 2 Armand Meets, 1 Pieter van der Lith.

Replacements: TBC

Referee: Jacques Nieuwenhuis

Assistant referees: Local