Derby fever
Old Collegians and Breakers ready to clash this weekend
AMUCH anticipated rugby game locally is set to take centre stage tomorrow when fierce rivals Old Collegians and Breakers go head-to-head at the Thobi Kula Sports Centre.
It will be a match supreme as two of the biggest rivals in Border rugby face off in relatively testing times for both clubs. The cream of Queenstown rugby players will be on display. It does not get any bigger than this and it is a match that neither side want to lose.
The lead-up to the match is usually full of tension. Both sets of players know each other very well, with the coaches holding the game plan and tactics secret.
Breakers will enter this derby as favourites, taking into account past results. Collegians will be pumped-up as they are play- ing at home in front of their vocal supporters. Both Lamla Maneli and Brian Williams will need no motivation for their players as pride is at stake and bragging rights for at least one season. Both teams are well aware that this fixture only comes once a year and will put everything in to walk away victorious.
The battle lines are drawn and taking a look at both squads, there is experience aplenty. Upfront Breakers will rely on Thabo Sokwebe, Mavusi Mata and Sibabalwe Mfenyane to do the damage. OC will counter that with their own potent hard men in Warren Lentoor, Enoch Batayi and Spek Douw. That battle will be fierce with Lofty Tyebeliyo and Ulla Ruiters set to dominate the line-outs but Tally Frans and company may have other ideas.
One critical department will be the loose trios where both teams have the necessary skill and physicality in Nyameko Maso, BA Siyobi and Tseke Siyobi for Breakers who will take on Sean Baartman, Lungi Dube and Juan McDonald head on. The back row will be just as important with both teams having an arsenal of firepower. Breakers will undoubtedly be led by Milo Nqoro and, together with Malusi Gomba and Nkunku Mbusi, can tear any team apart. Young flyhalf Chawiele Hartnick will be at his best and can count on the offensive prowess of Craig Pijoos, Darren Davids, Jarred de Bruin, Conrad Tromp and Reo van Schalkwyk to get them over the advantage line.
A jam-packed stadium is expected, with a feast of rugby. Spectators will be treated to five matches with the Royal Academy U15, second and first teams taking on Cathcart High in the day’s curtain raisers. These matches start at 11am, followed by OC taking on Breakers seconds before the derby at 3.30 pm.