Union High, Volkskool in FNB Classic Clash

Match Preview

It's going to be tough, exciting, and close at the Botanics Sportsground in Graaff-Reinet on Saturday when the Volkskool and Union High meet in their Interschools, an FNB Classic Clash.

That is what people think. That is what weighing up the teams and their performances suggests. That's what happened last year when the teams drew 16-all. In the last ten years, Volkskool have won five, Union High four and there has been a draw.

(All the results down the years are at the end of the article.)

It's also gibing to be a lot of fun – the highlight of the year in Graaff-Reinet. Accommodation is booked out, parents and Old Boys will descend on the town and the ground, excitement will run high as the day builds up to the big match – the 1st XVs at Botanics, a neutral ground in the lovely town, the Jewel of the Karroo.

The match could be too close to call, as it was last year. Volkskool may have the edge in the backs, Union High perhaps in the forwards.

Both sides have been having good seasons.
 
Union High have played 15 matches, winning 13 and losing just two – to Graeme College of Grahamstown and Burgersdorp.

Volkskool have played 11 matches, winning 9, drawing one and losing narrowly to Cillie of Port Elizabeth.

Results against common opponents:

Burgersdorp beat Union High 11-7 and drew 3-3 with Volkskool
Cradock High lost 17-3 to Union High and 38-17 to Volkskool.
Pearson lost 24-5 to Union High and 16-10 to Volkskool.
Andrew Rabie lost 22-3 to Union High and 5-0 to Volkskool.

The teams each have seven players back from last year's draw. Seven each. Does that mean another draw this year?

For Union High, Ricardo Maqabangqa, Baphiwe Mfundisi, Gerrar Maya, Tyran van der Struys, Pierre Dirkse van Schalkwyk, prop Zuko Rabula and Gareth Light played in 2004.

For Volkskool Phil de Klerk, Dominque Simmons, Human Nieuwenhuis, Wessel Kapp, Philippie Wolfaardt, Ettiene Terblanché and Adriaan Botha played in 2004.

That means that most of the Volkskool backs played ,last year and, understandably, that is their strength.

Teams:

Union High: 15 Dylan Schafer, 14 Sandisiwe Dywili, 13 Mark Mugglestone, 12 Gerrar Maya, 11 Baphiwe Mfundisi, 10 Ricardo Maqabangqa, 9 Clayton Kleynhans, 8 Zibee Stegmann, 7 Tyran van der Struys, 6 Pierre Dirkse van Schalkwyk (captain), 5 André Bezuidenhout, 4 Jaen-Reese Meyburgh,  3 Zuko Rabula, 2 Gareth Light, 1 Geoff Hutton.

Coach: Rory Sullivan

Volkskool: 15 Stefan van der Merwe, 14 Phil de Klerk, 13 Dominque Simmons, 12 Human Nieuwenhuis, 11 Wessel Kapp, 10 Philippie Wolfaardt, 9 Iaan Fourie, 8 Marnus van der Walt, 7 Ettiene Terblanché (captain), 6 Michau Rossouw, 5 Jacques Smith, 4 Ettiene Degenaar,  3 Eben van Staden, 2 Adriaan Botha, 1 Thulani Jack.

Date: 6 August 2005
Kick-off: 16.00
Venue: Botanics Sportsground
Expected weather conditions: Clear with a high of 27°C.
Referee: Ralph Cullinan (Border)

For a general view of Union High, click here.
For a general view of Volkskool, click here.
For a profile of Union High's captain, click here.
For a profile of Volkskool's captain, click here.

Results down the years

This lost may help to settle some arguments!

1922: draw 0-0
1926: Volkskool won 53-3
1928: Volkskool won 15-0 and 22-7
1931: Union High won 14-6
1932: Union High won 17-12 and 3-0
1933: Volkskool won 15-7 and 3-0
1934: Volkskool won 8-0 and 12-6
1935: Volkskool won 12-3 and draw 0-0
1936: Volkskool won 14-3 and Union High won 13-8
1937: Volkskool won 6-0 and 6-0
1938: draw 3-3 and Volkskool won 17-0
1939: Union High won 7-3 and 13-3
1940: Union High won 19-3 and 11-0
1941: Volkskool won 8-6 and Union High won 6-0
1942: Union High won 3-0 and 6-0
1943: Volkskool won 8-0 and 18-0
1944: Volkskool won 38-6 and 21-0
1945: Volkskool won 20-3 and 18-3
1946: Volkskool won 14-0 and 8-0
1947: Volkskool won 31-0 and 14-3
1948: draw 3-3 and Volkskool won 3-0
1949: Volkskool won 8-3 and 6-3
1950: draw 3-3 and Volkskool won 3-0
1951: draw 14-14 and Union High won 6-3
1952: draw 8-8 and draw 3-3
1953: Volkskool won 8-3 and 9-6
1954: Volkskool won 12-0 and draw 0-0
1955: Volkskool won 6-3 and 9-6
1956: Volkskool won 12-3 and Union High won 3-0
1957: draw 0-0 and Union High won 19-5
1958: Union High won 6-0 and 6-0
1959: Union High won 3-0 and Volkskool won 9-0
1960: Union High won 14-9 and 14-3
1961: Volkskool won 13-6 and Union High won 16-8
1962: Union High won 6-5 and draw 3-3
1963: Volkskool won 19-6 and Union High won 8-6
1964: draw 8-8 and draw 6-6
1965: draw 6-6 and Volkskool won 14-6
1966: Union High won 14-0 and Volkskool won 16-0
1967: Volkskool won 8-3 and 9-0
1968: Union High won 6-0 and Volkskool won 11-6
1969: Union High won 17-3 and 14-6
1970: cancelled for flu
1971: Union High won 22-0
1972: Volkskool won 4-3
1973: Union High won 18-6
1974: Volkskool won 10-0
1975: Union High won 9-6
1976: Union High won 10-6
1977: Volkskool won 31-3
1978: Union High won 14-3
1979: draw 16-16
1981: Volkskool won 18-3
1982: Volkskool won 4-0
1983: draw 11-11
1984: Volkskool won 14-6
1985: Volkskool won 16-4
1986: Volkskool won 6-3
1987: Union High won 9-6
1988: Volkskool won 22-7
1989: Union High won 10-9
1990: Volkskool won 6-4
1991: Volkskool won 9-7
1992: Volkskool won 15-6
1993: Volkskool won 23-3
1994: Volkskool won 31-16
1995: Volkskool won 22-7
1996: Volkskool won 36-0
1997: Union High won 10-3
1998: Volkskool won 18-15
1999: Union High won 13-10
2000: Union High won 13-0
2001: Volkskool won 18-5
2002: Volkskool won 19-18
2003: Union High won 26-14
2004: Draw 16-16