Neighbours Hermanus and Hawston meet in an FNB Classic Clash in Hermanus on Saturday - a match that promises much. In fact the two towns are enthusiastic about it. Last year there were over 6 000 at the match and more are expected this year. It is a great occasion.

Hermanus has grown and with it the school. Hawston, the fishing village just before you reach Hermanus, is full of life and energy, as personified by the electric Springbok Gio Aplon who comes from there. Both schools are really keen about their rugby.

Earlier this year Hermanus went on a successful tour to Argentina. After that they scythed through opposition.

Hawston, too, have had some really good wins this season. Two of their best matches were actually close defeats - against New Orleans (5-3) and Schoonspruit (18-15), both teams bristling with representative players.

Results against common opponents:

Villiersdorp: Hawston won 81-7, Hermanus 55-0
Groenberg: Hawston won 17-0, Hermanus 47-0
Bredasdorp: Hawston lost 7-0, Hermanus won 25-0

Hawston had two players in the Boland side that went to Kimberley for Craven Week - wing Arno Fortuin and flank Nicolan Carelse. Hermanus had none in the Craven Week side but powerhouse prop Deacon Chowles made the Boland Academy side. Hermanus are likely to be stronger up front, Hawston more effective amongst the backs.

Betting on the outcome is probably silly. In 2010 Hermanus were expected to win well but Hawston had other plans. They scored a try in the last minute and won 25-21. This happened after losing to Hermanus for 16 successive years.

Teams

Hermanus: 15 Chad Kleinsmidt, 14 Nino Mitchell, 13 De Wet van Niekerk, 12 Morris Kaplan, 11 Monroe Jacobs, 10 Thomas Bednall,  9 Clinton Shaw, 8 Dalton Raaff, 7 Chris du Toit, 6 Marnus de Klerk, 5 Bernard Jordaan, 4 Alex Koeberzig, 3 Robert Cooke, 2 Jurie-Jan Swart, 1 Deacon Chowles
Replacements: 16 Boeta Wessels, 17 Matthew Spring, 18 Peter Bonthuys, 19 J-J Terblanche, 20 Johan Albertyn, 21 Brendon Pieterse, 22 Jacques van der Merwe

Coach: Graham Bellingan

Hawston: 15 Morne Adams, 14 Carlton  Cellie, 13 Arno Fortuin, 12 Roland  Swartz (Kapt), 11 Logan  Niemand, 10 Steven Figaji, 9 Morne Geldenhuys, 8 Daniël Bantom, 7 Nicolan Carelse, 6 Warren  Brown (O-Kapt), 5 Pieter Plaatjies, 4 Jason August, 3 Llewellyn   Cupido, 2 Keanen Lukas, 1 Le–Aan  Adnois
Replacements: 16 Ruan Poole, 17 Nathan  Gillion, 18 David  Prins, 19 Shane Henecke, 20 Ethan Ehlers, 21 Myron  Claasen, 22 Eben  van  der  Heyde
 
Coach:  Anton  Esau

Date: Saturday, 6 August 2011
Kick-off: 13.00
Venue: Hermanus High School
Expected weather conditions: After a long sunny spell, rain is expected in the Western Cape on Thursday and Friday but Saturday is expected to be clear but cool - a high of 16°C, dropping to 6°C.
Referee: Adnall Hopley (Boland Referees' Society)