Rondebosch and Diamantveld rule the roost with attacking rugby
Josh Neill and his Rondebosch Boys’ High side capped off an unbeaten NMI Toyota North/South Tournament with a convincing 47-12 victory over the Rhinos from Hoërskool Nelspruit on Tuesday, in Stellenbosch.
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The ‘Bosch attack was at its sparkling best and they ran in seven tries. Inside centre Matthew Gaplin proved to be the biggest thorn in the Nellies‘ side, diving over for a double, which was a well-deserved reward for a solid outing.
Alongside him, the big outside centre, Randall-John Davids, imposed himself with another display of abrasive, physical runs in the midfield.
The lanky Neill enjoyed another captain’s outing with his dangerous runs. His ability to read the play and stay three steps ahead of the game makes him a special player and that puts him in the lead in the race for this year’s seven jersey in the South African Schools side.
Speedy left-wing Tinyiko Silubane impressed for the side from the lowveld with his ability to challenge the Rondebosch defence. Silubane, who played for the Pumas’ Craven Week side last year, utilised his experience under pressure to beat his opposite number on a couple of occasions and also scored one of Nelspruit’s two tries.
Hoërskool Diamantveld‘s Diamonds also produced a scintillating offensive performance to more than double up Hoërskool Framesby, from Gqeberha, running away to a 59-29 victory.
The Kimberley school’s vice-captain and lock, Zuan Rautenbach, took it to the Framesby pack with his storming runs and came away with two tries. He found strong support from tighthead prop, Dian Ellis, who also produced an energetic showing, which brought him two five-pointers, as well.
Flyhalf Ezlin Swartz orchestrated play masterfully for the Diamonds to put his team on the front foot. Along with his fine performance in general play, he slotted six conversions, too.
His opposite number, Jaiden Brewis, tried valiantly to keep Framesby in the game. He, also, dotted down twice and was Framesby’s best player on the day.
SCORERS
Rondebosch Boys’ High 47 (21) – Tries: Matthew Galpin (2), David Kadima, Randall-John Davids, Alutha Wesi, Shellvon Mabooi, Connor Arbuthnot. Conversions: Harry Soboil (5), Sebastian Boshoff. Hoërskool Nelspruit 12 (5) – Tries: Gert Cloete, Tinyiko Silubane. Conversion: Laim Pringle.
Diamantveld 59 (40) – Tries: Dian Ellis (2), Zuan Rautenbach (2), Ruben van der Linde, Jonathan Harding, Penalty Try. Conversions: Ezlin Swartz (6). Framesby 29 (12) – Tries: Jaiden Brewis (2), Jaco George, Luke Didloft, Rynhardt Brown. Conversions: Jaiden Brewis, Mondré van Heerden.
