Jeppe steals spoils on Founders Day against the Candies

Jeppe Boys High School stole the limelight from Pretoria Boys’ High, in extra-time winning 22-16, when Pretoria Boys’ High made a small error in front of the poles, which resulted in the visiting team walking away victorious.

With the match well within extra-time, Jeppe scored their winning try by their dominant inside centre Exauce Kevani right under the poles, making life easy for fellow centre Khuthadzo Rasivhaga, who easily converted the final kick of the match.

Throughout the match Pretoria Boys’ High School were well on top, showing some high-quality defensive play mixed with some good counter-attacking play. The back three made some incredible tackles to stop a rampant Jeppe offence.

However, Jeppe’s Khuthadzo Rasivhaga had a great match, scoring the first try of the game. He converted two out of his three placement kick opportunities. He also sent through a penalty kick, which made the difference.

Both sides were putting in some big hits, which resulted in a very physical game of rugby, much to the delight of both the travelling and home supporters.  

Two tries in the second half from Boys High hooker Shaun Schurmann and scrumhalf Joshua Naude put the Candies, in a very good position to lead for the first-time in the match. All it required was for the team to hold onto possession and not give away any unnecessary penalties.

Naude’s try in particular showed some fighting spirit from the gritty number nine, and got the crowd right involved with the game, as the referee and linesmen were put in a difficult position to make the final call. In the end, the decision went in favour of the home team.

Jeppe will be happy with the turnaround from last weekend’s result and putting them back in a winning mindset.

Sport is a funny thing and a great leveller. One weekend you are at the bottom of the pile and then the next you are on the top. This time last weekend, Jeppe would have gone home feeling the same way, having lost a match in the final minute themselves against Affies.

The big takeaway, and as the cliché goes, it is not over until the fat lady sings, or in this case, until the referee blows the final whistle.

Both schools will enjoy the break, and several of the players will be representing their respective unions in the coming weeks. It will be interesting to see how these two schools will finish off their 2023 seasons.

Scorers:

Jeppe High School for Boys 22 (7) – Tries: Khuthadzo Rasivhaga, Bryce Samuel, Exauce Kevani. Conversions: Khuthadzo Rasivhaga (2) Penalties: Khuthadzo Rasivhaga. Pretoria Boys’ High 16 (6) – Tries: Shaun Schurmann, Joshua Naude. Penalties: Tebogo Nchabaleng (2).

The teams:

Pretoria Boys’ High: 15 Kyle Hezlett, 14 Itumeleng Baloyi, 13 Chris Smith, 12 Rickus Wessels, 11 Ompfuna Jack Tsanwani, 10 Tebogo Nchabaleng, 9 Joshua Naude (vice-captain), 8 Panyaiotis Ellinas, 7 Stephen Adams, 6 Etienne Du Preez, 5 Tshepiso Shikhilbana, 4 Seth Venter, 3 Kitso Mokoena, 2 Shaun Schurmann, 1 Randy Muzungu.

Jeppe High School for Boys: 15 Sanele Shabangu, 14 Thulani Shabalala, 13 Khuthadzo Rasivhaga, 12 Exauce Kevani, 11 Bokamoso Maphisa, 10 Matthew Coetzee, 9 Bryce Samuel, 8 Mosiki Ndlaba, 7 Luke Cannon, 6 Lesedi Masemola, 5 Nathan Claasen, 4 Risima Khosa, 3 Luca Trevisan, 2 Kaleb Burger, 1 Ricardo Burger.

Results:

u19A: Pretoria Boys’ High School 16, Jeppe High School for Boys 22
u19B: Pretoria Boys’ High School 10, Jeppe High School for Boys 31
u16A: Pretoria Boys’ High School 8, Jeppe High School for Boys 22
u15A: Pretoria Boys’ High School 15, Jeppe High School for Boys 52
u14A: Pretoria Boys’ High School 12, Jeppe High School for Boys 21