Alberts shows nerves of steel as Rustenburg downs Glenwood

As Durban buzzed with excitement ahead of the Springboks vs Ireland showdown at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday, Hoërskool Rustenburg claimed a three-point win over Glenwood on Dixon’s Field, with Awie Alberts keeping his cool and converting a penalty in injury time to lift his team to the victory.

Rustenburg struggled throughout the match with their kicking, landing only one of their four conversion attempts. But cometh the hour, cometh the man, and Alberts rose to the occasion when it was most needed, sending the kick through the uprights from 35m out, and sending the small travelling party into a frenzy of celebrations.

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The first 10 minutes of the match was a see-saw affair with both teams going over for tries.

Rustenburg drew first blood, but Glenwood responded through centre Lizwe Mtetwa, who cut through the defences of the visitors with a thrilling run from the half-way line. The big number 12 weaved his way through the visitors’ flailing defenders to go over under the poles untouched after a brilliant piece of individual play.

Rustenburg, though, seized the momentum, with Xavier Steenkamp, Henré Robinson, Jonre Jefthas all crossing for tries.

The Green Machine‘s outside centre Sispho Dwayi replied for the hosts to reduce the deficit to only three points.

Then, Rustenburg wing Wesley van Loggenberg was taken out without the ball after chipping over the Glenwood defence. The tackle was fairly late and high, and the referee hit Glenwood with a penalty try.

At halftime, Rustenburg was well positioned, leading 24-14, and they would have felt confident heading into the second stanza.

After the break, though, Glenwood upped their game. Their defence sharpened up and their attack was more incisive.

When hooker Martin van Wyngaardt junior scored to level the scores, it appeared as if the contest was headed for a draw. Then, Alberts landed his crucial kick.

For Glenwood, flyhalf Juan Viljoen kicked and carried well, but another loss will have stung.

The Green Machine faces two more tough fixtures, against Northwood and Maritzburg College, and will need to regroup quickly.

Rustenburg will, meanwhile, return home buoyed by a second successive win over Glenwood and eager to resume their pursuit of a Noordvaal title.

Point Scorers

Glenwood 24 (14) – Tries: Martin van Wyngaardt, Sispho Dwayi, Lizwe Mtetwa. Conversions: Juan Viljoen (3). Penalty: Juan Viljoen. Rustenburg 27 (24) – Tries: Xavier Steenkamp, Henre Robinson, Jonre Jefthas, penalty try. Conversion: Jaden Meyer. Penalty: Awie Alberts.