THE Kempston Old Selbornians rugby team face an uphill battle in their quest for club rugby supremacy as they head into battle against Super 8 favourites Jonsson College Rovers in the quarterfinals of the Cell C Community Cup today.
Old Boys will be fired up for the match against one of the tournament’s top sides and are hoping to claim an upset over the KwaZulu-Natal powerhouse.
“Our preparations have gone well and we have kept the intensity up,” said Old Boys coach Alistair Alexander.
“We have been working on a bit of fitness and structure so we can perform better in those last 20 minutes.”
Old Boys have sent a large squad of 27 players to the festival that will see three matches being played over five days and will be happy they have a fully fit squad which includes some key players returning to the fold just in time for the business end of the competition.
“The nice thing is we have no real injuries and we are taking a full squad to George and we have welcomed a few key players back,” said Alexander.
“We have a strong squad and these guys can do very well.”
In the group stages of the competition Old Boys progressed comfortably as they won their opening three games on the trot, qualifying before their final match which they lost.
Having made the top eight in the country the team is confident of putting in a strong showing and representing East London with distinction.
“The frame of mind the guys are in now is positive, the belief is there that we can go and do well at this tournament,” said Alexander.
College Rovers’ devastating form saw them claim a full house of 20 points from the four group stage games they played.
They amassed a points difference of 182, scoring 230 points themselves and conceding only 48 points over the four games, which included an 85-0 drubbing, a 78-14 thrashing and a 41-20 hammering of their nearest rivals in their group.
“It’s going to be a tough, the first one against College Rovers with their Springboks – Jongi Nokwe and Dusty Noble – but I really think we can stand up to them.” Old Boys will be quietly confident having already faced top opposition in the competition in defending champions Gap Management Despatch, who they went down 38-16 to in their final group match.
Despite the loss Old Boys will be geared up for the quarterfinal and will know exactly what to expect against College Rovers. Having played one of the country’s best club teams before the knockouts will have helped immensely in Old Boys’ preparations.
“We played against a top team, the defending champs, and did well in the first half,” said Alexander.
“The nice part about the game was we can improve, that game against Despatch wasn’t our best and we can do better.”
The match kicks off at 1.15pm and will be live on SuperSport 1 and HD.
Old Selbornians’ starting XV: Warren Reilly; Dylan Swartz, Andre van Niekerk, MJ le Marquand (vice-capt), Bradley Birkholtz; Curtis Kleinhans, Craig Shone; Roy Bursey, Marc Hammond, Peter Smith, Alister Keet, Duran Alberts (capt), Sinethemba Tyokolwana, Ludwe Booi, Dylan Pieterse Reserves: Akhona Makalima, Ryan Pietersen, Richard Osner, Craig Green, Paul Warner, Wade Bailey, Jacques van Collar,. Cody Basson.
Non-playing squad: Lindani Gulwa, Craig Combert, Mike Amui, Manelisi Tyala.
Old Boys set for the firestorm
Old Boys will be fired up for the match against one of the tournament’s top sides and are hoping to claim an upset over the KwaZulu-Natal powerhouse.
“Our preparations have gone well and we have kept the intensity up,” said Old Boys coach Alistair Alexander.
“We have been working on a bit of fitness and structure so we can perform better in those last 20 minutes.”
Old Boys have sent a large squad of 27 players to the festival that will see three matches being played over five days and will be happy they have a fully fit squad which includes some key players returning to the fold just in time for the business end of the competition.
“The nice thing is we have no real injuries and we are taking a full squad to George and we have welcomed a few key players back,” said Alexander.
“We have a strong squad and these guys can do very well.”
In the group stages of the competition Old Boys progressed comfortably as they won their opening three games on the trot, qualifying before their final match which they lost.
Having made the top eight in the country the team is confident of putting in a strong showing and representing East London with distinction.
“The frame of mind the guys are in now is positive, the belief is there that we can go and do well at this tournament,” said Alexander.
College Rovers’ devastating form saw them claim a full house of 20 points from the four group stage games they played.
They amassed a points difference of 182, scoring 230 points themselves and conceding only 48 points over the four games, which included an 85-0 drubbing, a 78-14 thrashing and a 41-20 hammering of their nearest rivals in their group.
“It’s going to be a tough, the first one against College Rovers with their Springboks – Jongi Nokwe and Dusty Noble – but I really think we can stand up to them.” Old Boys will be quietly confident having already faced top opposition in the competition in defending champions Gap Management Despatch, who they went down 38-16 to in their final group match.
Despite the loss Old Boys will be geared up for the quarterfinal and will know exactly what to expect against College Rovers. Having played one of the country’s best club teams before the knockouts will have helped immensely in Old Boys’ preparations.
“We played against a top team, the defending champs, and did well in the first half,” said Alexander.
“The nice part about the game was we can improve, that game against Despatch wasn’t our best and we can do better.”
The match kicks off at 1.15pm and will be live on SuperSport 1 and HD.
Old Selbornians’ starting XV: Warren Reilly; Dylan Swartz, Andre van Niekerk, MJ le Marquand (vice-capt), Bradley Birkholtz; Curtis Kleinhans, Craig Shone; Roy Bursey, Marc Hammond, Peter Smith, Alister Keet, Duran Alberts (capt), Sinethemba Tyokolwana, Ludwe Booi, Dylan Pieterse Reserves: Akhona Makalima, Ryan Pietersen, Richard Osner, Craig Green, Paul Warner, Wade Bailey, Jacques van Collar,. Cody Basson.
Non-playing squad: Lindani Gulwa, Craig Combert, Mike Amui, Manelisi Tyala.
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