The Selborne 150th Rugby festival will see some of the top Eastern Cape schools playing against very good competition from the rest of South Africa. An exciting weekend awaits the faithful in Eat London.
09h00 - Queens (86,847) vs Brandwag Uitenhage (84,476)
Queen's College had a start out of hell losing four matches after playing six. They started the season with a good win against Cambridge (59-06) whereafter the slide started. Losses against Kingswood (03-14), Westville (20-22) and SACS (14-15) were followed by a win against Stirling (17-03). The KES Easter Rugby festival saw a much-improved effort by Queen's. They narrowly lost to KES (36-37) followed by wins against Northwood (26-03) and Durbanville (41-11). Last weekend they hosted Dale (20-13) and had to work hard for that win.
Brandwag started the season with three wins, Graaff-Reinette (26-14), Port Rex (17-00) and Westering (40-00) however although they lost they impressed me a lot against Grey High School (27-31). They returned from the Oakdale Festival unbeaten, beating Kempton Park (80-12), Diamantveld (27-23) and Lichtenburg (36-18). This was followed by a loss to Hudson Park (19-26) and wins against Marlow (24-22) and Muir (27-14).
This will be a close battle with the forwards of Brandwag their biggest weapon, however, if Queen's can replicate their performance against KES where they showed more fighting spirit than a fox terrier has, Brandwag will be in for a long afternoon.
10h30 - St Andrews (93,030) vs Rondebosh (93,944)
St Andrew's had a slow start to the season beating Nico Malan (18-03) in their season opener, however, losses against Framesby (22-24), Kingswood (12-15) and Bishops (05-42) followed. Then they seemed to get their season back on track beating Michaelhouse (17-15), St Alban's (29-15), Wynberg (13-12) and St Stithians (50-07).
Rondebosch only lost one match this season against Jeppe (13-17) at the Grey High School Rugby Festival. This loss was preceded by wins against St Benedict's (52-0), Bellville (67-00) and Graeme (24-18). After Jeppe, they continued their fine form beating SACS (46-24) and Paarl Boishaai (22-19).
Rondebosch must be the favourite after their big win against Paarl Boishaai, however, St Andrew's will not be an easy walkover. But it should be Rondebosch.
12h00 - Dale (81,646) vs Kingswood (90,164)
Dale is having a season from hell only able to win one match from six that they played. They started the season with losses against Hudson Park (08-10), and Marlow (12-31) before they manage to beat Port Rex (16-08). This was followed by losses against KES (03-32), Jeppe (10-14) and Queen's College (13-20)
Kingswood started their season with wins against Graeme (17-12), Queen's (14-03) and St Andrew's (15-12). Two losses against Michaelhouse (12-19) and Westville (07-21) were followed by a good win against St John's Harare (43-08).
Dale is still struggling to cope with the tragic losses and hopefully, we can see on Saturday glimpses of the rugby that they are known for. However, Kingswood must be the favourite.
13h30 - Grey PE (91,415) vs St Johns (83,873)
Grey High, traditionally one of the powerhouses of South Africa started with wins against Brandwag Uitenhage (31-27), SACS 941-09) and KES (22-15). This great start was followed by losses against Paul Roos (14-30) and Bishops (20-31). A win against St Alban's (34-19) was followed by a "surprising" loss against Maritzburgh College (27-36)
St John's started with wins against St Alban's (21-07), St David's (33-19) and St Benedict's (55-18). And then the nightmare started, losses against Jeppe (05-24), Nelspruit (06-24), Graene College (07-28) and Noordheuwel (05-17).
Grey PE should get their season back on track with a fairly easy win against the visitors from Johannesburg.
15h00 - Selborne (94,803) vs SACS (84,811)
The hosts started their season with a win against Grens (43-07, a draw against Graeme College (07-07) followed by losses against Michaelhouse (10-16) and Outeniqua (07-40). Thereafter, they turned their season around with wins against Framesby (19-18), Grens (33-00) and Noord Kaap (45-17). A close loss against Glenwood (14-15) was followed by a win against Westville (20-07) at the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival.
SACS had a good start of their season with wins against Soweto (35-00) and Durbanville (13-06), followed by a loss against Grey High School (09-41). A win against Queen's College (15-14) was again followed by losses against Rondebosch (24-46) and Boland Landbou (22-39).
Selborne should start the celebrations with a convincing win.