Exciting showdowns in schools rugby

IT will be a weekend of massive derbies in the next round of the Eastern Cape schools rugby programme tomorrow, with a series of exciting contests stretching from Cape Town in the west to Queenstown in the east.

But it is arguably in Uitenhage that one of the biggest clashes takes place, as hosts Brandwag entertain their town arch-rivals, Daniel Pienaar.

Currently the bragging rights belong to Brandwag, who have won the last two derby encounters. But, in an indication of how the schools’ clashes generally unfold, their recent wins have been by two points in 2013 and by one point last year. You have to go back to 2009 for the last time a team won by more than five points, when Brandwag took it 35-10.

Neither team has had perfect records this season, but Brandwag are coming off a solid 60-22 win over Union High, while Daniel Pienaar were outplayed by Grey High 48-3.

There will be no quarter asked for or given tomorrow and it should be another enthralling encounter.

In Grahamstown, two of the bigthree rugby-playing schools kick off the first major showdown of the year when Graeme host St Andrew’s tomorrow afternoon. While nobody ever takes anything for granted, St And- rew’s have had the upper hand in recent seasons.

Graeme, however, have former St Andrew’s director of rugby Allan Miles in their corner this year and his input could be invaluable if the Graemians are to bury the recent jinx.

Another Grahamstown school, Kingswood, travel to Queenstown for what will be a real challenge against Queen’s. Kingswood are highly rated this year, but they will need to show better finishing after being edged by Hudson Park at the weekend.

Grey High will be looking to build on their solid win over Daniel Pienaar in their Wynberg derby in Cape Town.

For years, Grey had the measure of their Cape rivals before losing in 2012 and 2013. Last year they re-established their supremacy.

In a classic east-west showdown in Port Elizabeth, Victoria Park are at home to Westering. The fixtures, subject to change, are (home teams first, 11.30am start unless stated): Alexander Road v Ithembelihle (11am), Arcadia v John Walton, Andrew Rabie v Despatch (12 noon), Mary Waters v Adelaide Gym, Brandwag v Daniel Pienaar (12.30pm), Bertram v Ndzondelelo, Newton Tech v Cillie (11am), Otto du Plessis v Framesby, Wynberg v Grey High (3.30pm), Humansdorp v Uitenhage, Muir v Nico Malan (12.30pm), Pearson v Hudson Park (1.40pm), Solomon Mahlangu v David Livingstone, VP v Westering, Woodridge v York (12.15pm), Graeme v St Andrew’s (3.45pm), Queen’s v Kingswood (3pm)