Preview: Gouties vs Welkom Gim
It's that time of the year again when the town of Welkom, in the heart of Free State goldfields, becomes a standstill as Goudveld Hoërskool takes on Welkom Gimnasium in their annual Classic Clash on Saturday.
Gimmies have won three of the last five fixtures between the two sides, however, it is Gouties who have the bragging rights after their resounding 36-18 victory last year.
Gouties head coach Bones Benecke said Saturday's match is a once in a lifetime opportunity for some of his players.
"I just want the boys to enjoy the whole occasion and the game," said Benecke. "This match is always special for the whole town with almost all the local businesses contributing to it as well.
"For many of our players the game will be a once in a lifetime experience."
Although there is a huge rivalry between the two schools, Benecke says there is also a sense of camaraderie between the opposing players.
"This is a big event and the players know from history what is expected. Every year this game is played in a great spirit and Saturday will be no different.
Both schools were represented in the Griffons Under-18 Craven Week side this year, however it was Welkom Gim who contributed the most players – 13 in total.
Eleven of those players will be facing Gouties, including six players who were part of the Griffons Academy Week team. Welkom Gim scrumhalf Jason Olivier was also selected for the SA Schools A squad this year.
Welkom Gim head coach Roean Bezuidenhout left no stone unturned this week in keeping his team mentally and physically prepared for the clash.
"It was a huge week. We took the team to watch the Cheetahs training session for an outing. We have a few niggles, but we should be ok.
"We had our captain's practice on Friday and we also brought in a motivation speaker to come talk to the guys," said Bezuidenhout.
Having hosted last year's fixture, Bezuidenhout knows how big the match is.
"The schools are closed today [Friday] and there will also be an opening ceremony. The attendance figures for this fixture is between 7 000 and 10 000," Bezuidenhout added.
Results down the years:
1963: Welkom Gimnasium won 11-0
1964: Goudveld won 16-14
1965: Welkom Gimnasium won 9-3
1966: Welkom Gimnasium won 6-0
1967: Welkom Gimnasium won 9-3
1968: Goudveld won 8-6
1969: Goudveld won 11-8
1970: Welkom Gimnasium won 12-9
1971: Goudveld won 6-3
1972: Goudveld won 10-7
1973: Goudveld won 20-9
1974: Goudveld won 6-0
1975: Welkom Gimnasium won 6-0
1976: Welkom Gimnasium won 8-7
1977: Welkom Gimnasium won 14-6
1978: Welkom Gimnasium won 32-6
1979: Goudveld won 12-0
1980: Goudveld won 20-3
1981: Welkom Gimnasium won 23-12
1982: Match Drawn 13-13
1983: Welkom Gimnasium won 17-3
1984: Goudveld won 10-6
1985: Goudveld won 10-6
1986: Welkom Gimnasium won 33-4
1987: Goudveld won 12-10
1988: Welkom Gimnasium won 18-3
1989: Welkom Gimnasium won 6-3
1990: Welkom Gimnasium won 30-6
1991: Welkom Gimnasium won 10-6
1992: Welkom Gimnasium won 5-0
1993: Welkom Gimnasium won 10-9
1994: Welkom Gimnasium won 19-11
1995: Welkom Gimnasium won 21-14
1996: Welkom Gimnasium won 21-7
1997: Welkom Gimnasium won 10-9
1998: Welkom Gimnasium won 19-11
1999: Goudveld won 25-13
2000: Welkom Gimnasium won 11-5
2001: Goudveld won 26-3
2002: Match Drawn 8-8
2003: Welkom Gimnasium won 20-11
2004: Goudveld won 15-12
2005: Welkom Gimnasium won 46-14
2006: Welkom Gimnasium won 45-11
2007: Welkom Gimnasium won 23-13
2008: Welkom Gimnasium won 26-3
2009: Goudveld won 30-11
2010: Welkom Gimnasium won 31-24
2011: Goudveld won 12-11
2012: Welkom Gimnasium won 29-19
2013: Welkom Gimnasium won 35-15
2014: Goudveld won 36-18
Teams:
Goudveld Hoerskool: 15 Wian van Staden, 14 Jonathan April, 13 David Eyssen, 12 Wentzel Witbooi, 11 Ronaldo Jacobs, 10 Ruben Abrahams, 9 Albert Bezuidenhout, 8 Pietman Kotze (captain), 7 Myron Scheepers, 6 GP Niewenhuis, 5 Chris van Rensburg, 4 Paul Sauer, 3 Dillon Aploon, 2 AJ Duncker, 1 Ruben Breedt.
Welkom Gimnasium: 15 Ezrick Alexander, 14 Richman Gora, 13 Lubabalo Mtyisi, 12 Danie Hendricks, 10 Luan James, 9 Jason Olivier, 8 SJ Malherbe, 7 Jerome Lottering, 6 Byron Ferreira, 5 Jacques Henning, 4 Zander Wasserman (captain), 3 Lincoln Jordaan, 2 Andries Engelbrecht, 1 Fanie Vermaak.
Referee: Jacques Nieuwenhuis
Assistant referees: Local
