This weekend sees some of the biggest clashes of their kind in Grahamstown, as the city's private schools meet in the annual sporting derby known as K-Day.
While every parent will tell you their child's fixture is the most important of the day – be it the U9B rugby match or U14A netball game – all eyes will be fixed on the first teams' rugby clash.
This weekend sees some of the biggest clashes of their kind in Grahamstown, as the city's private schools meet in the annual sporting derby known as K-Day.
While every parent will tell you their child's fixture is the most important of the day – be it the U9B rugby match or U14A netball game – all eyes will be fixed on the first teams' rugby clash.
This is also the final sporting event of the week's activities and takes place at Kingswood's City Lords sports field at 3.30pm tomorrow.
Thousands of supporters will pack the outskirts of the field as they watch the two sides battle it out. Kingswood first-team captain Arran Briceland says he's looking forward to the match, admitting that “It's going to be tough”.
From the opposite side of the pitch, St Andrew's captain Garrick Bouker said they were expecting Kingswood to come out with a bang”. Kingswood will be on high alert after their 17-10 loss to sixth-ranked Dale College three weeks ago.
They are also the K-Day defending champions, after winning last year's thrilling match that ended a 17-year losing streak.
So far this season, St Andrew's have played 11 matches, winning six of these, including their last two games against Selborne College and a worthy win against Queen's College, who are currently ranked 13th on Rugby15.co.za SA Top 40 School Rugby Rankings.
St Andrew's find themselves at position 27, while Grocott's Mail is still looking for Kingwood on the various rugby raking lists. St Andrew's also beat Graeme in another local derby encounter.
Earlier in the season, St Andrew's narrowly lost 17-19 to ninth-ranked Michaelhouse. Of their nine matches played this season so far, Kingswood has won five. They have also won their two last matches, beating Muir College last Saturday and Stirling High School the week before.
As we all know past games mean nothing, especially in a derby day such as this one. But hopefully, as Bouker said, “I hope the hype of K-Day doesn't get to the guys' heads”. If this doesn't happen then a titanic battle of two great schoolboy rugby sides is what spectators can expect.
The first rugby match between the two schools took place in 1896, with the St Andrew's seconds and the Kingswood firsts playing out to a draw.
Predict the score for tomorrow's first XV match between St Andrew's and Kingswood and win a one-year digital subscription to italGrocott's Mail/ital worth R360; or Spur meal vouchers. SMS your prediction to 082 049 2146 before kick-off tomorrow (3.30pm) – first correct score received or the closest wins.
