By Marlowe Bloem
Rondebosch vs Durbanville
The home side, Rondebosch Boys’ High, claimed a first win in three matches on Saturday, beating Hoërskool Durbanville 55-19 on the Tinkie Heyns Field.
Scrumhalf Caleb Bell, who usually plies his trade at left wing, was on fire for the southern suburbs’ school, scoring a phenomenal hat-trick of tries. He showed an eye for space and exhibited speed and agility to tellingly pierce the Durbies‘ defence.
‘Bosch also received strong performances from eighthman Kirwan November and left-wing Kelebogile Nkwana, who collected two tries apiece.
Nkwana provided levels of pace and dexterity similar to those usually produced by Bell out wide. November, meanwhile, was a more direct threat and regularly powered through tackles.
Down 12-26 at halftime, Durbanville was stumped. Whatever punishment they dished out to Rondebosch, the hosts returned it two-fold. That trend continued in the second stanza.
The visitors were not without their moments. Durbies’ flyhalf Hadley Erasmus exhibited a nose for the try line, twice weaving his way through the Rondebosch defence for awe-inducing tries, and left-wing Cole Carls continued his consistent try-scoring form with the visitors’ other try.
Rondebosch will be favoured to record back-to-back wins when they take on Milnerton High next weekend.
Tygerberg vs Bellville
Hoërskool Bellville powered to a 36-17 victory against Hoërskool Tygerberg in Parow on Saturday.
Outside centre Caylem du Plessis was his usual self, scoring a try, while also drawing in defenders to create space out wide for wings Marlon Claasen and Liaam Basson, which resulted in a try each for the speedsters.
Openside flank Zandro Stramrood and scrumhalf Juvan Rousseau also stood out. Stramrood performed yeoman work, guarding the breakdown and shutting down the Tigers‘ attack, while Rousseau’s ball distribution was on point. Both scored tries, too.
Fullback Devanté Vlotman produced a solid performance off the kicking tee, adding the extras on four occasions. He also kicked a penalty to tally 11 points.
A tough battle with Wynberg Boys’ High awaits Bellville next weekend. Tygerberg, meanwhile, will go after a first win since April when they host Hoërskool Swartland.
Scorers
Rondebosch Boys’ High 55 (26) – Tries: Caleb Bell (3), Kirwan November (2), Kelebogile Nkwana (2), Janu Pretorius, Linakho Mehlomakulu. Conversions: Eathon Williams (4), Shellvon Mabooi. Hoërskool Durbanville 19 (12) – Tries: Hadley Erasmus (2), Cole Carls. Conversions: Wihan Roux, De Wet Viljoen.
Hoërskool Bellville 36 – Tries: Marlon Claasen, Zandro Stramrood, Liam Basson, Caylem du Plessis, Juvan Rousseau. Conversions: Devanté Vlotman (4). Penalty: Vlotman. Hoërskool Tygerberg 17 – N/A.
Other Results
U19 – Rondebosch II 7 Durbanville II 31; Tygerberg II 26 Bellville II 14; Tygerberg III 28 Bellville III 26.
U16 – Rondebosch A 24 Durbanville A 22; Tygerberg A 24 Bellville A 10; Tygerberg B 0 Bellville B 27.
U15 – Rondebosch A 28 Durbanville A 26; Tygerberg A 10 Bellville A 7; Tygerberg B 7 Bellville B 15.
U14 – Rondebosch A 5 Durbanville A 31; Tygerberg A 0 Bellville A 7; Tygerberg B 10 Bellville B 0.