On Saturday in Kroonstad the big derby will be taking place, an FNB Classic Clash between Afrikaanse Hoërskool, known as the Rooiskool, and Hoërskool Kroonstad, known as the Blouskool. More than 7 000 enthusiastic spectators are expected to attend the match. It is one of the great days up in the Northern Free State.

Last year the Rooiskool won by three penalties to nil, all three by burly François van Biljon who is back playing this year. This year it again seems to be a close affair, this year hosted by Blouskool

Results against common opponents

Hentie Cilliers beat Rooiskool 17-6 and Blouskool 24-12
Bethlehem Voortrekker beat Rooiskool 36-12 and Blouskool 28-17
Welkom Gimnasium beat Rooiskool 14-13 but lost to Blouskool 25-20
HTS Welkom: Rooiskool won 31-17, Blouskool 25-6
Riebeeckstad: Rooiskool won 38-14, Blouskool 36-15

Not much to choose. 

Selections

Blouskool had two in the unbeaten Griffons side at Craven Week - wing Ruben Botha and centre Jaco Enslin while Rooiskool had flyhalf François van Biljon.

Blouskool had two players in the Griffons Academy Week side - Johan Botes and Albert Human while Rooiskool had one in the side - Phillip van Zyl.

Not much to choose.

Recent results

1998: Blouskool
1999: Blouskool
2000: Rooiskool
2001: Rooiskool
2002: Blouskool
2003: Draw
2004: Blouskool
2005: Blouskool
2006: Rooiskool
2007: Blouskool
2008: Rooiskool
2009: Rooiskool 
2010: Rooiskool

Not much to choose - six wins each though Rooiskool may be on a bit of a roll.

There may well be not much to choose between the two teams on Saturday.

Teams

Blouskool: 15 Pieter Zietsman, 14 Johan Aucamp, 13 Rubin Botha, 12 Jaco Enslin, 11 Neill Oosthuizen, 10 JM Janse van Rensburg, 9 René Eksteen, 8 Johann Botes (captain), 7 Andro Swanepoel, 6 Bryan Meyer, 5 Coenie Westraad, 4 Elandré Jv Rensburg, 3 Albert Human, 2 Herman Pretorius, 1 Willem Botes
Replacements: 16 Alex Coetzee, 17 Dawid van Oudtshoorn, 18 Erik Rossouw, 19 Charles Westley, 20 Heinrich Hoops, 21 PD Maree

Rooiskool: 15 Stefan Schoeman, 14 Jean Pretorius, 13 Jaco Combrink, 12 Danie van Zyl, 11 Pierre Uys (captain), 10 François van Biljon, 9 JW Bruwer, 8 JP Nel, 7 Jacques van Rooyen, 6 Ignus Gresse, 5 Stephan Groenewald, 4 Manie Uys, 3 Phillip van Zyl, 2 Wayne Wright, 1 Bertiaan Luyt
Replacements: 16 Hendré van Zyl, 17 François Poolman, 18 Wessel Crous, 19 TP Kleynhans, 20 Aldert van Wyngaardt, 21 Erick Reinecke, 22 Gerrit Otto, 23 John Potgieter

Date: Saturday, 23 July 2011
Kick-off: 13.30
Venue: Hoërskool Kroonstad (Blouskool)
Predicted weather conditions: Clear with a high of 19°C, dropping to 4°C
Referee: AJ Jacobs (Griffons Referees' Society)