Nelspruit and White River ready to do battle
Matches over the past few seasons between these two teams have always been tight.
Lowveld rivals Nelspruit and White River will face off in the second round of the Phakisa Mpumalanga Premier Rugby League tomorrow (Saturday May 4).
The matches will be played at Kudu Park in Mbombela.
In their opening game last Saturday Nelspruit played away at Middelburg. The match ended in a 43-43 draw. White River travelled to defending champions Sasol in Secunda and lost 33-19.
Nelspruit, White River, Sasol, Middelburg, Ferros and the Highlanders (Newcastle) compete in the Premier League. The top four teams on the log after rounds of home and away matches qualify for the semi-finals.
The last round-robin matches will be played on July 13.
Nelspruit first team captain, Jacques Viljoen said that this match was different to others. “It’s always special to run out at Kudu Park, but when the red jerseys (of White River) are lined up in the tunnel next to you, there is an even more intense passion that burns in the players”.
He is confident that Nelspruit will claim an important victory. “We have an experienced pack of forwards and a young, exciting backline. I believe our pack will dominate, and that will give us the upper hand,” said Viljoen.
White River captain, Barend Smit begs to differ with his rival leader. “We are well prepared. The way the team has bonded over the last few weeks is definitely a positive. We have something to prove to ourselves and on the pitch tomorrow is the best opportunity to do so.”
He is convinced the boys in red will have the mental edge over Nelspruit.
Many of the players in the two teams are friends, but once the two starting teams run down the stairs at Kudu Park and their boots cross that white touch line, friendships count for nothing. It will be 80 minutes of relentless combat.
The schedule for the day is: 12:30: NRC III vs WRRC III; 14:00: NRC II vs WRRC II; 15:30 NRC I vs WRRC I.
Nelspruit
15: Timothy Townsend; 14: Sam Govere; 13: Juandre van Wyk;12: Lucas de Kock; 11: Lloyd Malatji; 10: Neil du Toit; 9: Tjokkie van Tonder; 8: Francois Koch; 7: Jacques Viljoen (c)l; 6: Jos de Jager; 5: Cobus Janse van Rensburg; 4: Mishack Fakude; 3: Friday Mavuso; 2: Frans Jordaan; 1: Cameron Pullen
White River
15: Gert Botha; 14: Nazo Nkala; 13: Juan Bester; 12: Lance Smith; 11: Marcelino Marias; 10: Barend Smit (c); 9: Sylvester Seseane; 8: Mpumelelo Mathais; 7: Jaco Bouwer; 6: Coenraad Scheepers; 5: Johannes Jonker; 4: Mervin Gilbert; 3: Jaco Marneweck; 2: Jacques Taylor; 1: Victor Erasmus
