Velties nearly stun Noordheuwel, Paul Roos too clinical for Klofies
Hoërskool Duineveld nearly caused the second major upset of this year’s NMI Toyota North/South Tournament, losing by one only point- 32-33 – against Hoërskool Noordheuwel on Tuesday in Pretoria.
Relive all the action live on SuperSport Schools. Link to the games.
The side from Upington enjoyed a three-point lead, 22-19, at halftime after producing an exceptional first 35 minutes in which they dominated all facets of the game.
Eighthman Wihan Liebenberg led the way with a starring performance on attack and, especially, on defence. His reward was a personal haul of two tries.
Ethan Prins, Duineveld’s tighthead prop, proved to be equally valuable. Moving like an extra loose forward, he put his body on the line. His robust runs got his side over the advantage line time after time, and one of those drives led to a try for the front-ranker.
Hoërskool Noordheuwel, however, had enough left in the tank to stage an incredible fightback. Like Paarl Boys High in their match against Hoërskool Garsfontein on Monday night, with time ticking away, they managed to erase a 12-point deficit, scoring two wonderful tries through lock, Alex Greeff, and their hardworking eighthman, Brad Brown.
Lindsey Jansen (left wing) made his mark by launching scything counterattacks from the back, which helped swing the momentum in favour of the team from Krugersdorp. His exhilarating pace proved to be too much for the tiring Duineveld side.
Norries’ flyhalf, Jeandré Uithaler, found his rhythm after bursting through for a visit behind the Veldties try line, slotting two crucial conversions to see his side to a thrilling victory.
Paul Roos Gimnasium proved too strong for a spirited Hoërskool Waterkloof, beating them 47-24.
The Paul Roos forwards enjoyed a good outing, asserting their dominance from the get-go. Luchwayito Mbaliswana, their burly tighthead, led the charge and barrelled over for two tries.
The impressive Riley Norton made a telling impact, especially at line-out time. He was also difficult to stop near the Waterkloof try line and burst through for one of his side’s seven tries.
In the backline, the nippy left wing, Keenan Stoffels, had the crowd going with his impressive runs down the touchline. Twice, Stoffels danced his way through the Klofie defences to score.
After appearing to be somewhat shocked in the first 35 minutes, Hoërskool Waterkloof began to find their way in the second half. The speedy Dennis Obi showed why he is highly regarded, with the wing scoring two wonderful tries from nothing.
Up front, no one put more into the contest than the Klofie eighthman, Marco Kok. He put his body on the line throughout and delivered some crushing hits. Just when it appeared that he might have played himself to a standstill, Kok crossed the try line after running an exceptional support line, which left the Paul Roos defenders baffled.
Paul Roos, however, bounced back with a late try through their reserve prop, Christiano Luizinho, to put an exclamation point on a solid win for the Stellenbosch school.
Scorers:
Noordheuwel 33 (19) – Tries: Lindsey Jansen, Jeandre Uithaler, Xander Buitendag, Alex Greef, Brad Brown. Conversions: Jeandre Uithaler (2), Jade Muller (2). Duineveld 32 (22) – Tries: Wihan Liebenberg (2), PJ Smit, Ethan Prins. Conversions: AJ Burger (3). Penalties: Burger (2).
Paul Roos Gimnasium 47 (19) – Tries: Keenan Stoffels (2), Luchwayito Mbaliswana (2), Riley Norton, Samuel Badenhorst, Christiano Luizinho. Conversions: Joshua Dumpies (4), Matthew Seymore (2). Waterkloof 24 (7) – Tries: Dennis Obi (2), Marko Kok, Ronan Bastiaanse. Conversions: Ronan Bastiaanse (3).
