A comeback for the ages as Milnerton upsets Rondebosch
After showing promise in the pre-season against the likes of St Charles College and Boland Landbou, Milnerton High School turned that potential into points, upsetting Rondebosch Boys’ High 34-33, after trailing 3-33 on the Tinkie Heyns Field on Saturday.
Watch all the action again on SuperSport Schools – Register now – Link to the game
The hosts got off to a solid start, seemingly putting the match to bed after 40 minutes, thanks to a brace of tries by their big hooker, Justin Amos, and further five-point contributions by Alutha Wesi, Harry Soboil and Shakeel Abrahams.
By that stage, Milnerton’s only points had come from the boot of flyhalf, Chadwin Sellidon, but that was about to change as the visitors launched an incredible fightback.
Spurred on by their captain, Frank Hitimana, who rounded off their first try after some excellent work by Briint Davids, with only 15 minutes left to play, the Milnerton side picked up the pace considerably and left ‘Bosch stunned.
Minutes later, the hosts were huddled under their posts again, after Morgan Lodewyk went over for Milnerton’s second.
Sellidon’s kicking off the tee had a massive part to play in a tight match, and he contributed even more with a try of his own. Winger Keagan Wood struck twice to get the visitors to within a point, with a minute left on the clock, and Sellidon added the extras to give his side the lead for the first time in the game.
The drama wasn’t yet over, however. From the ensuing kickoff, Milnerton gave away a penalty within reach of their uprights, but the hosts decided to go for a lineout instead of taking an attempt at goal, which gave the visitors a chance to steal back the ball and secure a remarkable victory.
The margins were almost as fine in the match between SACS and Stellenberg, with the team from the southern suburbs digging deep to secure a 24-22 victory.
SACS were missing some of their stars due to injury, including captain Seth Bradford and vice-captain Ben van Coller, but stand-in skipper Nic Reynolds did brilliantly to rally his troops.
Their troubles were compounded when flanker Siphe Mbungendlu suffered a serious injury, but the remaining SACS players pulled together and had just enough in the tank to see off the Jade Brigade.
Tries by Luka Tonitz, Dehan Neethling, and Dale du Toit got Stellenberg to within two points of their first win of the season, but Rayaan Solomon‘s accuracy off the tee for SACS proved to be the difference on the day which, given their kicking struggles earlier this season, was a huge positive for the visiting team.
Wynberg Boys’ High kept their perfect record for the season intact, comfortably beating Hoërskool Durbanville 36-19.
Hooker Xabiso Mkiva and winger Kunene Gadu each scored two tries for Wynberg as they outplayed the Durbies.
Next weekend, however, they will face their toughest challenge yet when they take on Paarl Boys’ High at the Buco Brug Street Stadium.
Scorers
Milnerton 34 (3) – Tries: Keagan Wood (2), Frank Hitimana, Morgan Lodewyk, Chadwin Sellidon. Conversions: Sellidon (3). Penalty: Sellidon. Rondebosch Boys’ High 33 (19) – Tries: Justin Amos (2), Alutha Wesi, Harry Soboil, Shakeel Abrahams. Conversions: David Simon (3), Shakeel Abrahams.
SACS 24 – Tries: Connor King, Jack Benade, Daniel Grant. Conversions: Rayaan Solomons (3). Penalty: Solomons. Stellenberg 22 – Tries: Luka Tonitz, Dehan Neethling, Dale du Toit. Conversions: Eben Rademan (2). Penalty: Rademan.
Wynberg Boys’ High 36 (12) – Tries: Xabiso Mkiva (2), Kunene Gadu (2), Torren February, Levi Brown. Conversions: Yaqeen Ahmed (3). Hoërskool Durbanville 19 (7) – Tries: Dale Martin (2), AD Freemantle. Conversions: Claydon Karelse (2).
Other results
u19 – Rondebosch Boys’ High II 34, Milnerton II 0; Wynberg Boys’ High II 15, Hoërskool Durbanville II 12; Stellenberg II 28, SACS II 5; Hoërskool Durbanville III 17, Wynberg Boys’ High III 8; Stellenberg 24, SACS 20.
u16 – Rondebosch Boys’ High 48, Milnerton 16; Wynberg Boys’ High 21, Hoërskool Durbanville 7; Stellenberg 56, SACS 7; Wynberg Boys’ High B 11, Hoërskool Durbanville B 7; Stellenberg B 17, SACS B 7.
u15 – Rondebosch Boys’ High 56, Milnerton 0; Wynberg Boys’ High 20, Hoërskool Durbanville 14; Stellenberg 20. SACS 15; Wynberg Boys’ High B 20, Hoërskool Durbanville B 10; Stellenberg B 33, SACS B 0.
u14 – Rondebosch Boys’ High 32, Milnerton 3; Hoërskool Durbanville 15, Wynberg Boys’ High 14; Stellenberg 22, SACS 7; Wynberg Boys’ High B 20, Hoërskool Durbanville B 10; SACS B 13, Stellenberg B 5.
