Queen's & Dale play on

The two first played in 1891 but at the end of last August's match, Queen's decided that they would not be playing Dale again. Fortunately the "not" was not long – not quite six months in fact, for in February 2018 Queen's agreed that the matches could go ahead.

This one is on Dale's Reunion Day, an emotional time for the school as Old Boys flock back. This year's match suggests that reunion has a broader meaning as the match goes ahead.

The most important aspect of the match is that it will be played. Match 179 will happen.

Of course, the result will count. Both teams will go flat out to win, Dale fuelled by the emotions of their Old Boys, Queen's not needing any incentive to beat the old foe. This may just be the most intense rugby match on the Border this year.

Season so Far

Dale have been having a comparatively hard time, winning just four of their nine matches, but their six have been against really good sides – Marlow, Framesby, Glenwood, Jeppe and Selborne.

Queen's  have won just six out of nine, losing to really good sides –  Daniël Pienaar, Die Brandwag, Pretoria Boys High, DHS, Selborne and Grey Port Elizabeth.

Results against Common Opponents in 2018

Stirling: Dale won 22-17; Queen's won 43-22

Daniël Pienaar: Dale won 32-5; Queen's lost 36-24

Selborne: Dale lost 47-6; Queen's lost 54-0

Experience

Dale have three back from last year's tense matches when the difference in points between the two schools was 49-48 after two matches. Queen's have four back.

Those who played in 2017

Dale: Siphamandla Matsinya, Lathi-Thaa Lukasi, Mikhaya Sonqishe

Queen's: Siya Tyulu, Enrique Oranje, then a scrumhalf, Chumani Gatyeni,Othandwayo Nogqala

Achievers in 2017

Craven Week

Dale: Siphamandla Matsinya

Academy Week

Dale: Lathi-Thaa Lukasi

Queen's: Othandowayo Nogqala

Grant Khomo Week

Dale:  Mzwamazizi Ngalo, Okuhle Siyteni, Elimi Putini, Simnikiwi Gege

Teams

Dale: 15 Emile Matsinya, 14 Mzwamazizi Ngalo, 13 Indiphilel Tyeda, 12 Siphamandla Krewqe, 11 Anrico Johannes, 10 Ikho Putini,  9 Thando Zoki, 8 Simnikiwe Gege, 7 Lathi-Thaa Lukasi (captain), 6 Luphumlo Tsheko, 5 Siphelele Njumba, 4 Thando Gqroko,  3 Okhule Siyeni, 2 Mikhaya Sonqishe, 1 Masivuye Mafengana 

Coaches: Grant Griffith, Barry Hayidakis 

Queen's: 15 Benjamin Siyaya, 14 Siphelele Ngxishe, 16 Siya Tyulu (captain), 11 Liyabonga Maku, 10 Sinethemba Tshunungwa, 9 Aviwe Kanuka, 8 Euan de Jager, 7 Sven Sorensen, 6 Lesley Patsika, 5 Seth van Schoor, 4 Chumani Gatyeni, 3 Othandowayo Nogqala, 2 Odwa Mkefa, 1 Conley Pieterse 

Coaches: Clinton Löest, Khaya Malotana,  Lamla Maneli

Date: 12 May 2018

Venue: CB Jennings A at Dale College, King William's Town

1st XV kick-off: 12.10

Television broadcast: SuperSport channel 210

Expected weather conditions: Cloudy with the possibility of rain, a high of 20°C and a low of 10°C

Rugby Programme – 12 May 2018

A Field

08.30: Under-16A 

09.35: 3rd XV 

10.40: 2nd XV 

12.10: 1st XV 

B Field

08.30: Under-14A 

09.35: Under-15A 

10.30: Under-16B 

C Field

08.30: 4th XV 

09.35: Under-14B 

10.30: Under-15B 

D Field

08.30: Under-16C 

09.30: Under-15C 

10.30: 5th XV 

Track

08.30: Under-14C 

Results Down the Years

1891: Dale won by 5 goals and 1 try to 1 goal

1926: Queen's won 6-0

1927: Dale won 64-0 and 50-5

1928: Dale won 5-0 and Queen's won 6-3

1929: Draw 8-8 and Dale won 3-0

1930: Queen's won 10-3

1931: Dale won 8-3 and a Draw 0-0

1932: Queen's won 8-0 and 3-0

1933: Draw 3-3 and Dale won 4-3

1934: Dale won 21-8 and a Draw 3-3

1935: Queen's won 12-10 and 6-3

1936: Queen's won 3-0 and 17-5

1937: Queen's won 10-0 and 14-3

1938: Dale won 6-3 and 9-5 and 13-8

1939: Queen's won 6-9 and Dale won 6-3

1940: Queen's won 11-0

1941: Queen's won 16-3 and 9-6

1942: Dale won 3-0 and Queen's won 9-0

1943: Dale won 9-5 and Queen's won 17-5

1944: Queen's won 20-8 and 12-0

1945: Queen's won 15-6 and a Draw 6-6

1946: Dale won 3-0 and 6-3

1947: Queen's won 19-0

1948: Draw 3-3 and Queen's won 6-3

1949: Dale won 17-3 and Queen's won 17-0

1950: Draw 3-3 and Queen's won 9-3

1951: Draw 13-13 and Queen's won 8-3

1952: Draw 3-3 and 3-3

1953: Queen's won 11-6 and Dale won 3-0

1954: Draw 3-3 and Queen's won 16-3

1955: Dale won 11-3

1956: A Draw 6-6 and Queen's won 9-5

1957: Dale won 8-3 and a Draw 6-6

1958: Dale won 19-0 and Queen's won 8-5

1959: Dale won 6-3 and Queen's won 9-8

1960: Dale won 6-0 and 3-0

1961: Queen's won 9-3 and 8-3

1962: Dale won 6-3 and Queen's won 3-0

1963: Dale won 13-3 and 6-3

1964: Draw 14-14 and Dale won 6-3

1965: Dale won 19-11 and 9-0

1966: Queen's won 12-3 and a Draw 8-8

1967: Dale won 3-0 and Queen's won 6-3

1968: Dale won 11-0 and Queen's won 9-8

1969: Draw 6-6 and Queen's won 14-10

1970: Queen's won 12-11 and 20-3

1971: Dale won 17-9 and Queen's won 9-6

1972: Dale won 11-9 and Queen's won 4-3

1973: Queen's won 8-6 and 8-3

1974: Queen's won 10-3 and 13-12

1975: Dale won 21-8 and Queen's won 12-11

1976: Dale won 24-0 and 12-8

1977: Dale won 16-15 and Queen's won 10-7

1978: Dale won 12-10 and Queen's won 18-7

1979: Queen's won 8-4 and 25-0

1980: Queen's won 17-6 and 27-3

1981: Queen's won 7-6 and Dale won 27-3

1982: Queen's won 25-22 and 22-6

1983: Queen's won 9-3 and 18-6

1984: Queen's won 16-6 and 24-3

1985: Queen's won 9-3 and a Draw 12-12

1986: Queen's won 15-13 and 18-7

1987: Dale won 3-0 and 10-6

1988: Queen's won 12-8 and 13-9

1989: Queen's won 3-0 and 16-3

1990: Dale won 33-0 and 22-13

1991: Queen's won 21-7 and 10-3

1992: Queen's won 3-0 and Dale won 21-8

1993: Dale won 12-6 and 15-9

1994: Dale won 19-9 and 18-9

1995: Dale won 22-5 and 20-6

1996: Dale won 15-6 and Queen's won 18-9

1997: Queen's won 16-12 and 31-21

1998: Dale won 8-6 and Queen's won 13-10

1999: Dale won 26-9 and 18-3

2000: Dale won 20-0 and 29-8

2001: Queen's won 27-21 and 15-7

2002: Dale won 13-0 and Queen's won 18-7

2003: Dale won 25-14 and 31-17

2004: Dale won 13-0 and 29-13

2005: Queen's won 17-6 and 23-13

2006: Queen's won 23-13 and 20-10

2007: Queen's won 30-15 and 16-3

2008: Queen's won 19-15

2009: Queen’s won 17-15

2010: Dale won 21-8 and Queen's won 27-18

2011: Dale won 7-3 and 38-31

2012: Dale won 21-18; Queen's won 28-0

2013: Queen's won 23-10 and 6-0

2014: Dale won 13-12 and Queen's won 35-33

2015: Dale won 26-19 and 15-14

2016: Dale beat Queen's 17-3 and 32-30

2017: Queen's won 25-24; Draw 24-24