Top spot is big prize for Oostelikes and Stars

The top spot in Group B of the EP Conference of the Super 14 club rugby competition will be the prize when Despatch Oostelikes clash with Alexandria’s Trying Stars at the Daleview Sports Field in Despatch on Saturday.

Rated as outsiders, Oostelikes and Stars began their campaigns in winning style when the tournament kicked off last week and have made it clear they want to go all the way and upset the odds.

This is one of several key matches scheduled for Saturday where teams will be fighting for playoff berths.

In the other Group B fixture former champions Progress know nothing less than a win over Hankey Villagers on the road will be enough to keep their title hopes alive.

The top match in Group A is a clash between last year’s Grand Challenge champions Gardens and beaten finalists Kruisfontein United.

The stakes will also be high at the Adcock Stadium when Harlequins host Park in a duel between two sides who both lost last weekend

After beating powerhouses Progress in their opening match Oostelikes coach Mervin Samuels says his team’s morale has been boosted.

What made Oostelikes’ win over Progress remarkable was that they played a large portion of the game with only 13 players after two were red-carded.

Whether Oostelikes have what it takes to go all the way in the Super 14 will be tested when they face a well-drilled Trying Stars side on Saturday.

Stars will have their tails up after they kicked off with an impressive 25-14 win over Hankey Villagers.

“As is the case with all the clubs, Oostelikes have ambitions for the new season,” Samuels said.

“During the off-season we put some goals and objectives in front of the players.

“One of our goals in 2023 was to make sure we compete in the Super 14.

“This team does not want to be in the Super 14 just to make up the numbers.

“Oostelikes want to reach the playoff stage and then try to carry that momentum to the EPRU Grand Challenge that will kick off after Super 14.

“For sure, our win over Progress gave the club a tremendous boost.

“I mean to play with 13 players for about 60 minutes in a Super 14 game against back-to-back champions Progress was a remarkable effort.

“This will boost our mindset for our next game against Trying Stars.

“Stars will be a very tough one, but we have the mindset of taking it game by game and we will prepare well.

“The win over Progress is behind us and all focus is now on Trying Stars this coming Saturday.

“I would say one of our strengths is our defence system and we put a lot of energy and effort into that in our preparation to make sure that we are ready.

“Our motto at Oostelikes is to practise like a slave and then play like kings on a Saturday.

“Oostelikes illustrated that determination against Progress when we held out a 15-man team (with 13 players).

“I can warn the visiting team no points will be given away easily in Daleview.”

Stars coach Sheldrid Cannon said: “Trying Stars are a highly ambitious team and this year we definitely want to be in contention for silverware in the Super 14.

“Our aim last season was to qualify for Super 14 and we managed to achieve that objective.

“The next goal is to reach the playoffs for the first time in our history.

“We have been involved in the Super 14 for some time, but we have never made it out of the group stages.

“Later on when the EPRU Grand Challenge kicks off we would like to improve on our showings of the past two seasons where we have managed to make the quarterfinals.

“In the past, however, we have bowed out in the quarters and now we want to make it past that stage and fight for the trophy.”

Saturday’s fixtures:

EP Conference: Gardens v Kruisfontein United (Central Field), Harlequins v Park (Adcock Stadium), Despatch Oostelikes v Trying Stars (Daleview), Hankey Villagers v Progress (Hankey)

Border Conference:Ncera Leopards v EL Police (Ncera), Berlin Tigers v Moonlight (Berlin), Swallows v Young Leopards (Swallows), Komga United v Old Selbornians (Komga)

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