Preview: St Andrew's v Graeme
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Grahamstown will come to a stand-still as St Andrew's College play hosts to Graeme College in a much-anticipated Classic Clash on Saturday.
History runs deep in this fixture and dates back as far as 1886. Being one of the oldest rugby fixtures in the country there is always a big hype around the game.
St Andrew’s College have had the upper hand in recent times wining the majority of the games between the two sides.
Speaking to the Director of Rugby at St.Andrew's, Andrew Royle, he said that the team has been preparing well, although this past week has been somewhat of a disruption.
"It has been slightly disrupted with a couple of injuries, and six of the players have been out yesterday in Cradock taking part in the Craven Week trials," said Royle.
"The group has been together properly yet, but they are excited and have a slightly nervous edge around them.
"We will be good to go on Saturday," confirmed Royal.
St Andrew's have been struck by continuous injuries of late, however they claim a couple of players back from the sideline and are fielding a relatively mixed bag of experience on the day.
"[The experience of the team] is a mix, we lost our prop and our captain last week, so we are still plagued with injuries but a good opportunity to blood youngsters.
"Flyhalf Anthony Dakin will bring some stability and experience back as he returns from injury."
While St Andrew's will be displaying width-to-width type rugby, Graeme will return the favour with a free-flowing game themselves.
"Depending on the conditions on the day, Graeme will be adopting a similar approach and play an expansive flowing game," said Nico van der Meulen.
The local derbies tend to be nice and tight affairs and this should prove to be bo different.
An entertaining day on Lower field is in store with running rugby the order of the day.
Teams:
Graeme: 15 Simbulele Sizani, 14 Yiva Ndwandwa, 13 Ciko Ngodwane, 12 C.J. Osode, 11 Azizipho Mngcongo, 10 Justice Tyatya, 9 Curt Williams, 8 Luyolo Tshongweni, 7 Ntsika Ndungane, 6 Ethan September, 5 Heino Gaiser (captain), 4 Keagan Fischer, 3 Mihlali Majola, 2 Chris Bezuidenhout, 1 Odwa Mzwali.
St Andrew's: 15 Grant Dixie, 14 Xolile Mdlokovana, 13 Matt More, 12 Ross Ferguson, 11 Tim Bloem, 10 Anthony Dakin, 9 Luke Alexandre, 8 Malcolm Pringle, 7 Seb Mulders, 6.Gordon Everard (captain), 5 Daniel Tiffin, 4 Chris Sherratt, 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 Michael Muller, 1 Samual Vrohvec.
Referee: Fernando Uithaler (Eastern Province Referees' Society)
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