Cream of Eastern Cape rugby on show

IN what is shaping up as an Eastern Province-Border derby day, hosts Graeme College face arguably the toughest challenge when they take on Selborne in the feature match of the Graeme Rugby Day in Grahamstown on Saturday.

The cream of Eastern Cape schoolboy rugby will be on show again at the region’s popular pipe-opener to the season, with a number of cross-border rivalries to whet the appetite.

Selborne have perennially been one of the strongest sides in the Eastern Cape, but they had their colours lowered twice last year, by Queen’s and Dale.

However, the East London side showed their resilience by winning the return games against their Border rivals and finished off the season with a solid victory over Grey High.

Queen’s, with wins over Cambridge and Stirling so far this season, face a testing clash with Port Elizabeth outfit Framesby.

Both schools have a proud rugby tradition and, after last season’s fortunes, Framesby will be looking to start with a bang.

Another keen encounter will see Dale pit their running skills against the strong, aggressive approach of Uitenhage team Brandwag.

The Dalians are always dangerous among the backs and, if their forwards can match the Uitenhagers up front and provide some decent possession, they could use that to their advantage.

Another cross-border clash sees Grahamstown side St Andrew’s face Hudson Park on the main curtain-raiser at 3pm.

Hudson showed their rising potential last year, scoring their first ever win over Queen’s and following that with a 16-14 result against St Andrew’s.

In an all-Eastern Cape clash, Grey High face old rivals Marlow. Marlow’s memories will linger on the thrilling 24-23 win they had in 2011, but Grey have beaten them twice since then.

It will be interesting to follow the form of Kingswood, who had one of their best seasons last year.

The class of 2017 have a tough act to follow, but they can make a statement this weekend when they clash with the Pearson side.

Fixtures: Somerset field: 8am: Muir v Cambridge, 9.10: Union High v Nico Malan, 10.20: Dale v Brandwag, 11.30: Queen’s v Framesby, 12.40: Marlow v Grey High, 1.50: Kingswood v Pearson, 3pm: St Andrew’s v Hudson Park, 4.10: Graeme v Selborne. Marais A field: 8.15: Graeme U16 v Marlow, 9.15: PJ Olivier v Graeme 2nd, 10.15: Port Alfred v Nathaniel Nyaluza, 11.15: Muir U16 v Cambridge, 12.15: Selborne U16 v Nico Malan, 1.15: Queen’s U16 v Framesby, 2.15: Dale U16 v Brandwag. Marais B field: 8.15: Graeme U14 v Marlow, 9.15: Graeme U15 v Marlow, 10.15: Queen’s U14 v Framesby, 11.15: Selborne U14 v Nico Malan, 12.15: Muir U14 v Cambridge, 1.15: Dale U14 v Brandwag.