Preview: Noord-Kaap vs Rooiskool
Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:07
Head to head: Opposing captains Divan Strauss and Richard Webber
There is a lot at stake for both Kimberley's Noord-Kaap and Kroonstad's Rooiskool when they meet on Saturday - an unbeaten season, their position on the FNB Top 20 rankings and the News24 Central Regions trophy, which is why they are playing.
It is widely acknowledged that Grey College is the best rugby school in the central regions and indeed South Africa, but whoever wins on Saturday can safely say they are the best of the rest in the Northern Cape and the Free State. Both schools have had terrific seasons and their final match is bound to be the most difficult and important of the year.
The Afrikaanse Hoërskool Kroonstad or 'Rooies' have had plenty of success over the past decade and have enjoyed a near 90% win record, winning the Griffons league most seasons. The accomplishments of the team are just reward for coach Jerry Erasmus, who has been at the helm of the Rooiskool First XV since 1982.
This year they added another Griffons league trophy to the cabinet with a 23-9 over Goudveld in the final on the weekend before the News24 semifinal. In that match, they beat Sentraal Hoërskool of Bloemfontein 34-19.
Now they have a chance to win a league and cup 'double' against Noord-Kaap on Saturday. They have never won the Central Regions tournament, commonly known as the Kovsie-Beker, coming closest in 2007 with a semifinal defeat to Diamantveld.
Noord-Kaap and its Old Boys have also found some success in recent times. In 2005, Old Boy PJ Vermeulen captained the World Cup-winning South African Under-19 team that included the likes of Frans Steyn and Chiliboy Ralepelle.
Ronnie Cooke was selected at centre for the Under-21 side, and now plies his trade in France after a stint at the Cheetahs. Cooke captained the 2002 Noord-Kaap First XV in a memorable season for the school.
Their recent success can be attributed to their desire to gain experience and play rugby on a bigger stage than only the Northern Cape leagues and schools. To raise the school's profile, they began playing the likes of Marlow, Oakdale, Paarl Gim, Monument and others.
Both Rooies and Noord-Kaap have had recent victories in FNB Classic Clashes against Blouskool and Diamantveld respectively, and both will be brimming with confidence ahead of the game which seems destined to be a tight one.
Both schools were well represented in the school sides for the recent Craven and Academy Weeks, with Noord-Kaap and Rooies providing a large percentage of the Griquas and Griffons Youth teams respectively
Rooiskool provided wing Andries Kruger, flank Cloete Wessels and hooker Lenro Vergotinni for the Craven Week, while AHS skipper Webber captained the Griffons Academy side joined by three Rooisskool teammates.
Noord-Kaap, meanwhile, had Craven week representation in the form of backs Darren Koopman, Johandre van der Walt , Thapelo Thupe, Reginald Colosa and Dean Gorrah, as well as their entire loose trio of Deon Carney, Jonathan Africa and Hendri van Niekerk. Add to this four Academy Week players and it is clear to see that this is a very strong side.
With all this talent, and with both teams having very settled lineups (Noord-Kaap have picked the same side for 12 games in a row!), this final is sure to be an epic.
Prediction: It is so often said, but this one really is too close to call. Buts lets go with Rooies, but only by 3 points.
Teams:
Noord-Kaap: 15 Junior Cornelissen,14 Darren Koopman,13 Dean Gorrah,12 Divan Strauss,11 Reginald Colosa,10 Johandré van der Walt,9 Zandré Swartz,8 Deon Carney,7 Herman van Niekerk,6 Jonathan Africa,5 Morné Jordaan,4 Barries Cronjé,3 Cobus Cohen,2 Waldo Botha,1 Francois Henning
Replacements: 16 Gerhard Roux,17 J Masuabe,18 JF Myburgh,19 Henning du Plessis,20 Thapelo
Thupe,21 Ashwin Damons,22 Gihahn Cloete,23 Jaco Buys
Coach: Henk Brand
Rooiskool: 15 Luan Janse van Rensburg , 14 Morne Venter, 13 Arno de Wet, 12 Freddy Vivier, 11 Andries Kruger, 10 Lukas Boucher, 9 Richard Webber (captain), 8 Luan Kleyngeld, 7 Cloete Wessels, 6 Ado Wessels, 5 Pieter Griesel, 4 Johan Combrink, 3 George Marich, 2 Lenro Vergottini, 1 Everhard Laing.
Replacements: 16 Wimpie Hattingh, 17 Tinus Haasbroek, 18 Jandre van der Berg, 19 Ignus Gresse, 20 Pieter Esterhuyse, 21 Charl Blom, 22 Bernard van Biljon/Francois De Jonge, 23 Wiehan Brummer
Coach: Jerry Erasmus
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