Preview: Wollies v Schoonies
Wolmaransstad will host arch rival Schoonspruit in what is sure to be a massive Classic Clash as both sides are set to produce hard, physical rugby.
Schoonies are full of confidence ahead of the match with coach Eben Fensham going as far as saying they will be victorious when the final whistle blows after claiming victory in last year's encounter.
"We are fully confident of grinding out a win despite the close nature of the games in previous years. We were fortunate enough to be on the winning side last year and put an end to their dominance after they won the two previous matches.
"We will be taking to the field with many matriculants, so we will have a very experienced side on the field who have been playing together since Grade Eight. The matches between the sides have always been very physical with lots of running and we expect this match to be no different. It will be a nice open game," Fensham said.
His counterpart, Zander De Kock said that despite his team being smaller in stature, their experience will shine through.
"We have prepared well for this match and are a lot smaller than what they are but we work with what we have. We might lose the size battle but that takes nothing away from the experience of our boys.
"We managed to win the first two Classic Clashes between the sides but they got the better of us last year. We are expecting them to bring a hard, physical battle up-front so that they are able to release their speedy backline. Regardless of what they bring to the game, we will front-up to them and give them a tough match," De Kock said.
Teams:
Wolmaransstad: 15 MC Höll, 14 Carel Engelbrecht, 13 John Smit, 12 JW Meyer, 11 Charles Roberts, 10 Fanus Pieterse, 9 Dirkie Taljaard, 8 Heinnie Coetzee, 7 Rikus Scholtz, 6 Corné Jacobs, 5 Len Richter, 4 Ruan Dupper, 3 André Jacobs, 2 Leonard Pretorius, 1 WJ Scholtz.
Replacements: 16 Kallie Paulsen, 17 Joggem Booyens, 18 David von Abo, 19 Tumelo Selete, 20 Jaco Botha, 21 Tshepang Makhobotloane, 22 Wybrand Lambrechts.
Schoonspruit: 15 Jandré vd Berg, 14 Elias Sithole, 13 Renier Swart, 12 Wynand Bezuidenhout, 11 Jason Botha, 10 Jano van Zyl, 9 Michael Smith, 8 MacNiel Jacobs, 7 Jurie Kok, 6 Albert Liebenberg, 5 Michael Stoop, 4 Marno Reyneke, 3 Dean Spencer, 2 Josua Goodchild, 1 Gerhard Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Werner Rabie, 17 Christo Turner, 18 Wilco Rossouw, 19 Hennie Klein, 20 Kobus Niemand, 21 Leonard Cornelius, 22 Johan Roos.
Referee: Ruaan du Preez
Assistant referees: Local
