Mauritz Hansen XV not able to break SA’s curse against Blackrock
The team selected from the biggest rugbyweek in the world, the Mauritz Hansen-week, faced the daunting task to lock horns with Ireland’s premier rugby nursary, Blackrock College in Dublin. The private school produced Irish legends like Fergus Slattery and Brian O’Driscoll. The Mauritz Hansen XV was selected at the annual rugbyweek in Naboomspruit (Mookgopong) earlier this year.
Blackrock College has the unique bragging rights that their first XV have never lost a match against a South African side. They kept this remarkable record in tact by beating Mauritz Hansen XV by 10-0. The team from Dublin already led by the exact margin after only five minutes of play in the match. Blackrock College drew 17-all against Monument of Krugersdorp earlier this year.
Blackrock College has won the coveted Leinster Senior Cup a record of 68 times since the inaugural tournament was held in 1887. In a tightly contested match the biggest difference between the two teams was the fact that Blackrock College kept their structure, while Mauritz Hansen XV was still finding their feet as a team and the fact that they didn’t succeed in rounding off the chances they got.
The South African side’s fullback, Vuyo Shongwe, was brave under the high ball and he also came the closest in scoring a try losing the ball as he was diving for the corner as he was being tackled. This move was started after a beautiful break by Terrance Kingsburgh.
The most impressive part of the South African performance was their defensive effort. Both Kingsburgh and the flyhalf, Ronald van Wetering, was sent to the sin bin shortly after each other. It must be mentioned that the home side’s John Farley was also yellow carded just before the South Africans was sent to the sin bin.
Winger Georgre Robertson showed that he could be one of the South Africans who will enjoy a successful tour on the field. He managed to find some space a few times on attack while he also showed that he has a proper kicking boot that can prove usefull during the tour. Flanker Jacques Pretorius and prop Frikkie Deysel also produced good performances.
For Blackrock College their midfield pairing of Tommy O’Brien and Liam Turner caused problems for the South African team. The No. 8, Hugo Burke, and flanker, Cadlann Doris, also produced fine performances. Blackrock College will be facing Terenure College on Saturday. The South Africans will be travelling to Cork where they will face Rockwell College.
Rockwell has won the Munster Senior Cup 26 times in their history and are the current defending champions. They produced Irish senior players like Willie Duggan and Gary Halpin.
The principle of Blackrock College, Alan MacGinty’s son AJ MacGinty is currently representing the USA at flyhalf in the World Cup in England. MacGinty sr. quipped that he is the only coach ever to drop Brian O’Driscoll from a rugby team besides Warren Gatland during the post-match reception.
School of Rugby is touring Ireland courtesy of Travel and Sport. Mauritz Hansen’s tour is also organised by Travel and Sport.
Scorers:
Blackrock College 10 (10) – Try: Hugo Burke. Conversion: Peter O’Reilly. Penalty: O’Reilly. Mauritz Hansen XV 0.
The teams:
Mauritz Hansen XV: 15 Vuyo Shongwe (Randburg), 14 Louis Naude (Midstream College), 13 Ruan Viljoen (Oos-Moot), 12 Tiaan Bedford (Oos-Moot), 11 Pierre van Vuuren (Hans Strijdom), 10 Ronald van Wetering (Oos-Moot), 9 Charles Blacklock (OosMoot), 8 JP Alberts (Oos-Moot – captain), 7 Tertius Stander (HTS John Vorster), 6 Jacques Pretorius (Hans Strijdom), 5 Sakkie Liebenberg (Wagpos), 4 Ettienne Moss (Wagpos), 3 Frikkie Deysel (Oos-Moot), 2 Ivan Botha (Tuine), 1 Stefan Kruger (Midstream College). Replacements: 16 Jaco Niemann (Wagpos), 17 Jan-Louis Senekal (Hans Strijdom), 18 HP van der Walt (Hans Strijdom), 19 Patrick Erasmus (Oos-Moot), 20 Johan Pitout (Ellisras), 21 George Robertson (Randburg), 22 Terrance Kingsburgh (Oos-Moot), 23 Brady Theron (Lydenburg), 24 Brandon Baker (Randburg).
Blackrock College: 15 Peter O’Reilly, 14 Paddy Fox, 13 Liam Turner, 12 Tommy O’Brien, 11 Andrew Westman, 10 Conor Dean, 9 Luke Gaffney, 8 Hugo Burke, 7 Alan Francis, 6 Cadlann Doris, 5 Jack Gardiner, 4 Charlie Ryan, 3 Richie Molatt, 2 Hugh Egleston, 1 Emmet Burns.
