Rivalries reignited in the rain: Weekend Wrap
This past Saturday’s recap and round up with all the shocks and heroics that took place from the numerous match-ups staged across the country
An emotionally charged day in the drizzle for Affies, with last-minute heroics from to salvage a commendable draw vs Paarl Gimnasium. Photo credits - https://gallery.photostories.co.za/paarlgimaffies/maingame/
Sullen skies took the setting for some of school boy rugby’s largest match-ups. Creating an atmosphere charged with crunching tackles and cheetah-like wingers. In the featured King Price Derby Series, three electrifying games took place. Paarl Gimnasium hosted Affies, Oakdale Landbou welcomed Paarl Boys’ High School and the much anticipated match-up between Paul Roos Gimnasium and Grey High School took place in Stellenbosch.
Beginning with the drizzle and drama that took place at Paarl Gimnasium. An intense affair was imminent as the teams took the pitch, engulfed in their fellow schoolmates' tunnel. The first half saw a determined Affies side fight for a narrow 9-6 lead at the break. Away from home, the Affies forward pack put on a display fit for any XV in the country. The harsh physicalities of the battle continued in the second half. Spurred on by the home crowd’s support, the side from Paarl answered their deficit by scoring a couple of unconverted tries to give them a 16-9 lead over Affies. However, the rain-washed crowd at the JA Kriel Field still had plenty of entertainment to come. A desperate and unyielding Affies forward pack toiled and were rewarded in injury time. A converted try in injury time seeing the away side grasp a draw, 16-16 full-time score. Despite the disappointing injury time try, Paarl Gimnasium still supplied the Man of the Match in the form of Hendre van Zyl. The number 7 ensured that a high work rate showed in both his tackles and his fellow teammates.
Physical encounters continued as Oakdale staged an impressive 28-26 win over Paarl Boys’ High. After the Paarl team stormed to a 14-3 lead over the hosts, Oakdale would respond in tremendous fashion. Overturning Paarl Boys’ advantage and going on to give their fans a treat of a performance. Liam Lightly staying true to his surname and lighting up the field with a try each half to help guide his school to try grab the win. Throughout the game, both sides flirted with the lead, however inspired by their home support, Oakdale would steal the victory’s heart. Inviting hundreds of Oakdale boys to flood the field.
The final King Price Derby Series feature game saw Paul Roos host Grey High School in the picturesque Cape Winelands. Together, the sides have produced over 100 Springbok representatives. With thousands in attendance, the stage was set for superstars to announce their names to the country. In the end, it was the side from Stellenbosch that grabbed the opportunity. Dominating and overpowering Grey from start to end. Right from the off, under the dark clouds, Paul Roos drew first blood with a try from Jordan Steenkamp. A man who would soon write the day as his own. Grey would respond with a try 5 minutes later, however controversy would strike underneath the foreboding sky in the 12th minute. A nasty tackle on Travis Pheiffer by Grey’s Ray-Dylan Wilkinson, saw the former lash out and earn him a permanent sin bin visit. Wilkinson receiving a yellow. The squabble further adding tension to an already red hot rivalry. Despite losing one of their numbers, the maroon men just piled on the pressure. Racing to a 20 point cushion at the break. The second half saw Roos score 2 unanswered tries, Steenkamp scoring his third in the 49th minute. 37-7 the game ended, with Paul Roos stamping their foot firmly on their charge to once again rule South African school boy rugby. Steenkamp’s performance sparking the afternoon alive, the MVP from the match-up sets up a promising season for himself and his school.
As always, the weekend did not only see those three games. Plenty more action took place. Maritzburg College had an inspiring second half to beat Glenwood 37-25, after it was all drawn at 13-13 after the first 35. Boland Landbou narrowly slipped past SACS on a wet Southern Suburbs day, 21-18. Westville just got the better of Northwood in a 16-14 tense affair in Durban with a huge crowd surrounding the Reece-Edwards Field. Zekhethelo Siyaya, fullback of Westville, scored a masterpiece of a 70 metre solo try early on in the second 35. Along with these, Jeppe were subject to a 9 try riot from Hoërskool Monument, 70-24 end score. Other victories included solid away wins for Rondebosch, Grey College and Pretoria Boys.
While next weekend sees schools enjoy a four day long weekend, the well renowned Easter Festivals take place. Running from April the 17th to the 21st. KwaZulu-Natal representatives Kearsney host their own Easter festival while Johannesburg hosts a triple festival weekend. St. John’s College, St. Stithians and King Edward School all bringing the highest quality rugby to their mighty 1st XV fields. Be sure to catch it all on Supersport Schools channel 216 or the app while also giving these past weekend’s games another watch. Definitely worth the time.
