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Two sets of rugby bragging rights at stake

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Grahamstown schools Graeme College and Kingswood will square off in one of the city’s greatest rugby rivalries when they vie for the region’s bragging rights at Kingswood on Saturday (August 1).

Among the leading trio of Grahamstown schools, St Andrew’s have traditionally produced the best results against their rivals, but their youthful team this year have had to play second fiddle to Graeme and Kingswood.

In reality, there is nothing between the three sides because Graeme edged St Andrew’s with a try in the last minute and Kingswood shaded their arch-rivals by one point. Nonetheless, it does add spice to Saturday’s encounter at Kingswood’s City Lords and it would be no surprise if this match went down to the wire.

There are several other big fixtures on this weekend’s programme and none will be tougher than the clash in Bloemfontein when Grey High attempt to beat Grey College on their home ground for the first time.

Grey High ended a 10-year losing run with a 27-20 triumph in Port Elizabeth last year and with several of those players back in action this year, they will hoping to draw on some positive memories to make what would be a unique achievement of winning two matches in a row against their namesakes.

Grey College have not been at their best this year, losing three matches in a row at one stage, but they are not a side to concede anything other than a fight to the bitter end, and the PE side will have to be prepared for a battle royale.

Nico Malan are set for a cracking derby against Uitenhage rivals Daniel Pienaar in Humansdorp, while two other EP schools will have keen contests against Southern Cape outfits. Framesby are at home to Outeniqua, who perennially supply a host of players to the SWD team, while Brandwag will entertain Oudtshoorn in Uitenhage.

The Brandwag team have put together the remarkable record of having won their last 13 games on their home ground and Oudtshoorn will have a tough time overturning that run of success.

In Grahamstown, St Andrew’s who edged home against Marlow 26-24 last weekend, have another testing fixture when they come up against Dale on the Lower field.

In a match set for Friday, Ithembelihle and Linkside will combine to take on touring England side Campion High at Linkside.

The fixtures are (home teams first, 11h30 start unless stated): Friday: Ithembelihle-Linkside v Campion High at Linkside (16h00). Saturday: Andrew Rabie v Otto du Plessis, Brandwag v Oudtshoorn (12h30), Despatch v Muir (12.15), Nico Malan v Daniel Pienaar (12h40), DF Malherbe v Humansdorp (11h00), Framesby v Outeniqua (14h00), Grey College v Grey High (15h00), Gamble v Solomon Mahlangu, VP v Newton Tech, John Walton v McCarthy, Pearson v Union High (13h30), Woodridge v Westering, Kingswood v Graeme (15h45), St Andrew’s v Dale (14h30).

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.