Wynberg host Grey of PE
It's a big logistical undertaking when over 300 boys and lots of staff from Grey High bus down from Port Elizabeth to Wynberg Boys High for lots of fun-filled competition which culminates in the 1st XV match.
Keith Richardson, the headmaster of Wynberg, talks about this special contact between two schools 765 km apart.
"It is always a pleasure welcoming Neil Crawford and his men from Grey High School to our Wynberg campus .We thank them for being prepared to travel all the way down here for a weekend of interaction on the sports fields and in our cultural halls. We look forward to reciprocating the hospitality which we have received over the years from Grey.
"The first exchange of this nature was in 1996 was set up between the then rector, Roy Simpson ,and the Wynberg headmaster, Bruce Probyn, resulting in Wynberg's travelling up to Port Elizabeth with 500 boys.
"The occasion between these two like-minded schools was such a success that it has been repeated every year since then – except in 1998 when a ferocious Cape winter’s storm hit the Peninsula on the Thursday before Grey were due to leave, resulting in flooding and devastation Rather than risk possible drownings on the rugby fields, the event was called off!
"Arguably the greatest indicator of the success of this exchange are the number of boys who have stayed with the same hosts for all five years of their school careers .Friendships have been built up which will last a lifetime.
"May this continue to be the case this year. May every encounter be hard fought and intense but at the end of the game, we shake hands respecting the fact that our opponents have given their all.
"I thank everyone who has contributed to the smooth running of the weekend activities – those who have hosted; those who have helped with the catering; those who have been part of the organisation.
"This annual weekend is a special one. Wynberg has enjoyed one draw, in 1997, and one win, in 2012."
The solitary win was in Port Elizabeth but it was close – 22-21. Last year Wynberg had an exceptionally good side and ended the season the Kings of the Peninsula. This year Grey would seem to be having the better of the season.
To start with they have played eight matches to Wynberg's four, Grey are ranked 16th on the FNB Top 20; Wynberg are not ranked.
Grey have beaten Westville (16-10, George Campbell, Kingswood, Nico Malan and, just last Saturday, Paul Roos. But they lost to Affies and Maritzburg College. Wynberg beat St Stithians and St Benedicts, dew with Rondebosch and were well beaten by Boland Landbou.
This year Wynberg are at home and surely will take some confidence from that after their away win last year. Grey will want to get back to winning – back to what they regard as the status quo.
Rugby Fixtures
Hawthorndene
11.50: 4th XV
13.00: 3rd XV
14.10: 2nd XV
15.30: 1st XV
Silverhurst A
08.30: Under-16B
09.40 Under-15C
10.40: Under-16C
Silverhurst B
08.30: Under-15B
09.30 Under-14A
10.30: Under-15A
11.30: Under-16A
Silverhurst C
08.30: Under-14D
09.30: Under-14C
10.30: Under-14B
11.30: Under-15D
Jacques Kallis Oval
08.30: 5th XV
09.40: 6th XV
10.50: 7th XV
12.00: Under-16D
Teams
Wynberg: 15 K Martin, 14 I Adams, 13 E Frylinck, 12 J Sage, 11 S Botha, 10 S Alam, 9 N Scott, 8 K Timm, 7 M Timlin, 6 R Mapoe, 5 M Pollecutt, 4 B Wood, 3 J Bevan, 2 B Barnard, 1 S Henriques
Replacements: 16 N Poleman, 17 A Goldstein, 18 G Maasch, 19 H Davids, 20 C Botha, 21 J Smith, 22 G Turner
Grey High: 15 Keanu Vers, 14 Dylan Vermaak, 13 Jeremy Ward, 12 Vincent Moss, 11 Bantu Katshwa, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Matthew Alborough, 8 Bothandwa Cafu, 7 Johan Van Niekerk, 6 CJ Velleman (captain), 5 Junior Pokemela, 4 Martin Groenewald, 3 JP Jameson, 2 Josh Mudrovic, 1 Matthew Howes
Date: 27 April 2013
Kick-off: 15.30
Venue: Wynberg Boys' High
Expected weather conditions: The Cape has been enjoying something of an Indian summer, just the best of Cape winter weather. It seems it will last to the weekend with sun after early cloud, a high of 22°C, dropping to 13°C.
Referee: Joey Salmans (Western Province Referees' Society)
