Form and friendships are certainly out the window when Rygersdal FC host fellow Cape Town Tygerberg rivals and unbeaten logleader Saxon Rovers in a Safa Cape Town Third Division match (19:30) at the Meadowridge Sports Complex on Friday evening.
Both coaches have indicated that they are reasonably satisfied with their sides’ respective starts to the campaign, but ahead of this crunch match, it’s evident it will not just be about the three points, but just as importantly, bragging rights.
Both teams are fairly new to the league, with Rygers featuring in its debut season after acquiring Clover FC’s third division status, while Saxon only won promotion in 2021, but both flying the flag of their CT Tygerberg LFA with great aplomb.
The seventh-placed Rygersdal, who slipped down the table, will be hopeful to bag their first win in three matches and to break their duck for 2026.
Fans can be rest assured, Rygersdal’s inconsistency will not be a factor as there will be no love lost when these two archrivals cross swords.
Rygersdal’s coach, Ashraf Calvert (pictured). conceded that he has been “waiting for this one.” for quite some time.
“It will be a hot one for sure,” Calvert stated to No Bones with Jones. “I’ve seen a few games of Saxons and I saw their strengths and their weakness, so we planned accordingly, but let’s see,”
Meanwhile, his counterpart from Saxons, Robert Pretorious, has high praise for the manner in which Rygers adapted to the cutthroat demands of the league.
Saxons surprisingly dropped points against JL Zwane but bounced back immediately with a 3-0 win against Goodhope FC after their double header last weekend. Saxons have been so consistent and near perfect, that they enjoy a gap of eight points over Rygersdal coming into this match.
Pretorious, who definitely does not want to come off second best, actually revealed what impressed him most about his Rygersdal opponents.
“The young talent that’s coming through now,” the Saxons-mentor stated to No Bones with Jones. “They didn’t have to build too much as those unders were “broken in” in the top league in CTTLFA… and they didn’t just survive, they actually outplayed many experienced teams.
“Originally, I expected Rygers to lead the pack in the league based on the talent they have. They possess a quality tech team… quality and balanced squad, talented unders with some very experienced overs – and always have good support.
“I don’t think they hit their best yet and we don’t want to be the opposition when they do hit their straps. For me… one of the best squads in the league overall.” Pretorious concluded.
