Witteberg v Bethlehem Voortrekker

 

Witteberg have not won against their local rivals for eight years, but with a strong team playing at home they have their best opportunity to turn the tables since 2011 when they went down by just one point.

 

This year's team won the local league at age-group level when they were Under-15 and U16, beating Bethlehem Voortrekker in the final both years, so they know what it takes to get the better of their more fancied opponents.

 

Both teams have played four matches this year and both teams have won two and lost two. Both schools lost to Welkom Gim and beat the Blouskool from Kroonstad.

 

Bethlehem Voortrekker have also beaten HTS Welkom and their other defeat was against the Rooiskool from Kroonstad, while Witteberg also managed to get the better of HTS Welkom and lost out to Goudveld.

 

Witteberg coach Dolf van Rensburg knows that it will take a special effort from his side to finish on top this year against what is always a competitive Voortrekker side.

 

"We had a good pre-season and we are feeling confident, we will throw everything at them. 

 

"We have plenty of respect for Bethelehem Voortrekker, they have a good track record and they take their rugby very seriously so we know their side will always pitch up to play," he said.

 

Bethlehem Voortrekker coach Petrus du Plessis, who is the backline coach of the Griffons Academy side this year, knows that his side will not have things all their own way on Saturday.

 

"We are going to have to earn it in the small battles. They have a good flyhalf so I expect them to look for field position and take us on in the forwards," he said.

 

Du Plessis played for the Blue Bulls and represented TUT and Tuks in the Varsity Cup before going into teaching in Bethlehem, and he took over the first team last year, taking them to a 54-14 win in the FNB Classic Clash.

 

However, he knows that it will be harder this year, with the game taking place at Witteberg.

 

"It will definitely be a tougher game than last year, they normally pitch up at home and their side won the league in U15 and U16 so we are expecting a hard game.

 

Another factor that will add to the occasion is the fact that the match will be televised, which raises the profile significantly as the players get an opportunity to show their skills to a wider audience.

 

Witteberg inside centre Rudolf van Biljon made the Griffons Craven Week squad, while their hooker flyhalf flank and No.8 also made representative honours.

 

For Bethlehem Voortrekker Grade 11 utility back Marco Labuschagne is in the Griffons Craven Week squad having played at Grant Khomo week last year and captain and outside centre Donovan Bouwer is in the Academy side.

 

 

Witteberg: 15 Ruco Beneke, 14 Wian Minnaar, 13 Jason Roux, 12 Rudolf van Biljon, 11 Darryl Wilson, 10 Tiaan Schoonraad, 9 Dean Bubb (captain), 8 Pieter Jordaan, 7 Liamzer James, 6 Cobus Gunter, 5 Cronje Meiring, 4 Hennie Coetzee, 3 Handus Botha, 2 Stephan Jordaan, 1 Nico Nel.

Replacements: 16 Nico Van Rensburg, 17 Tumi Ramaseli, 18 Nico Dorfling, 19 Gerhard Viviers, 20 Andries Strydom, 21 Dehandro Mostert, 22 Tsepi Mofokeng, 23 Theunis Goosen.

 

Bethlehem Voortrekker: 15 Edrich Victor, 14 Pieter van Zyl, 13 Donovan Bouwer (captain), 12 Marco Labushchagne, 11 JJ Lombaard, 10 Bertus Kleynhans, 9 Etienne Becker, 8 Michael Janse van Rensburg, 7 Juanrick Eagar, 6 Sakkie Mollentze, 5 Eben Claasen, 4 Burger Marais, 3 Andre Claasen, 2 Tiaan van Zyl, 1 Pieter Kleynhans.

Replacements: 16 Janco van Zyl, 17 Ruan van Niekerk, 18 Eddie Molilo, 19 Gert van Wyk, 20 Johnathan Allison, 21 George Badenhorst, 22 Nico Charilaou.

 

Referee: Vusi Msibi