"The excitement on the final day of the local schoolboy rugby season always revolves around who will wear the crown among the city slickers.
So it comes as little surprise that the outcome of this battle will be foremost in the various supporters’ minds, with SACS having established themselves in pole position via their stunning 28-10 success away at Rondebosch, their only realistic rivals for the title.
No competition worth its salt can lack an element of unpredictability and events of the last two southern suburbs derby weekends have been no exception, with SACS very much at the forefront on both occasions.
No-one would have put money on Bishops crushing the Young Ikeys 43-28, even at the Piley Rees, but then, just when Rondebosch had started popping their knuckles in anticipation of SACS’s arrival on 20 August, Graeme Wepener’s lads upped the ante by cruising home 28-10.
Same suburb, very different result !
SACS have had a relatively injury-free 2016 and have a formidable look, one that was apparent as early as their highly creditable 13-17 defeat at Paarl Gym in April. Their blend of recognizable players and those perhaps less well-known, but just as capable, has stood them in good stead.
The forwards have shone as a unit, even if Messrs Larkan and Halvorsen tend to receive many of the accolades. The contributions of the other big men cannot be underestimated, particularly the superior line-out work of captain James Brewer and the versatility of Lance Steytler, relishing his relocation to the side of the scrum.
Lucky Dlepu has quickly learned when to and when not to bring his backs into play. They too pose a very real threat against the Berg, with experienced Nick Redelinghuys inside go-to man Jordy Hop. Justin Bendeman and Yanga Tolashe on the wings and full-back Michael Abrahams have also all contributed tries to the scoresheet in the last fortnight.
Wynberg haven’t been idle of late, either. Their eye-opening win over Boland Landbou must have made their faithful followers wonder what their side might have been achieved earlier in the season. Although the 23-17 home defeat to Bosch would have had the doubters smiling smugly, they responded again, reversing a 38-7 first round defeat with a handsome 31-21 win over Bishops.
Berg have flown very much under the radar this year, but few will doubt the commitment of captain Steve Matthew and Callum Steyn among the loose forwards.
Among a backline formerly best known for the exploits of minute Labib Kannemeyer, currently being used at full-back, flyhalf Dom Coetzer has been a major campaign contributor recently, while centre Christian Colborn weighed in with two timely five-pointers against the Platinum Blues.
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Team Sheet Old Boys
