Rondebosch withstands fearsome SACS fight to nab win
In May, when Rondebosch Boys’ High visited the Memorial A-Field at SACS, it ended 40-17 to the visitors. On Saturday, SACS visited the Tinkie Heyns Field, intent on exacting revenge. They very nearly did, with ‘Bosch holding on for a narrow 23-20 victory.
In the first half, Rondebosch played the game at pace, getting the ball wide and playing through their backs, which brought them a try in the 13th minute from Caleb Bell.
He was over after receiving a bullet pass. Just centimetres from the sidelines, he left his feet, flew through the air and dotted down in the corner.
SACS, meanwhile, chose a different approach, turning to their pack to grind it out and wear down the Rondebosch defence. Those efforts paid off just before the half-time break.
Utilising the pick and go, SACS closed in on the Rondebosch try line. Eventually, flank Siphe Mbungendlu took a pass from Matt Forbes, and powered his way over under the poles from five metres out.
At halftime, Rondebosch held a slim 10-7 lead.
The second half was gruelling, with both sides putting up 13 points while sticking to the styles they had employed in the first half.
‘Bosch, though, also crossed the try line by more direct means.
A hard line run by Matthew Galpin, who was fed a flat pass from scrumhalf James Kirsten just two metres out, ended in a try, with Galpin holding the ball to his chest and using his momentum to force his way over.
SACS responded through their hooker Sango Zangqa. He dotted down after a lineout maul, which had started on the 22.
By then, unfortunately for the visiting side, it was too little too late, as time was up on the clock and they came up three points short.
For SACS, outside centre, Mikey Skeeles, kicked well, landing two penalties and two conversions.
Scorers
Rondebosch 23 (10) – Tries: Caleb Bell, David Kadima, Matthew Galpin. Conversion: Sebastian Boshoff. Penalties: Sebastian Boshoff, Eathon Williams; SACS 20 (7) – Tries: Siphe Mbungendlu, Sango Zangqa. Conversions: Mikey Skeeles (2). Penalties: Mikey Skeeles (2).
Other Results
U19 – Rondebosch II 5 SACS II 18.
U16 – Rondebosch A 24 SACS A 17.
U15 – Rondebosch A 12 SACS A 18.
U14 – Rondebosch A 7 SACS A 22.
