Highlanders scrum down in league
The team's campaign kicks off with a clash this Thursday.
The league campaign of the Boschpick Newcastle Highlanders is “game on” this evening (Thursday) at home.
Prior to the start of the sub-union’s flagship tournament, the local team prepared itself with a few friendlies, beginning with a derby against Ferrum Old Boys on March 1.
Next, the team was unfortunate to lose 15-10 to Witrivier.
During a two-game tour to Zululand later in the month, Highlanders trounced Mtubatuba with a score of 50 points to seven, before losing 38-8 to Richards Bay the following day.
Last Thursday, Highlanders fielded two sides to beat Volksrust 38-0 and 37-8.
This season, the local club has two sides in the respective zones and divisions of the revised league, which means Highlanders is destined to face itself at some point.
Teams, explained head coach Andre Swanepoel, had been designated 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B.
“The league is split into two zones of North and South; Highlanders 1A and 1B, Sentraal and Ladysmith are in South, with Vryheid, Piet Retief, Pongola and Volksrust in North.”
After one round of home and away matches against each opponent in the specific pool, the top three teams in each of the zones qualify for the next round of matches.
Teams one and two, after the conclusion of round two, will then make up the final clash.
This Saturday, Highlanders will be kept on its toes when it travels down to Durban to face Jaguars, after which the team will watch the Sharks take on the Waratahs.
