Wynberg Boys’ High repeat the double over SACS
Wynberg Boys’ High saved one of their strongest performances of the season for their final fixture against their old foes, SACS.
They ended their season on a high on their home field with an emphatic 36-14 victory.
Watch the final FNB Classic Clash of the season again on SuperSport Schools – Register now – (Link to game)
Wynberg’s star eighth man, Xola Nyali, who captained the SA u18 side earlier this month against France, led his team from the front again in his last game in the first team jersey.
Nyali celebrated his amazing season with another stunning try in front of his home crowd, gathering the ball on his own 22m line leaving the SACS defenders in his dust and powering through the last tacklers to secure a healthy 24-7 lead at halftime.
As always, SACS gave their all in the big derby, with their little scrumhalf, Seth Bradford, endlessly attacking the line and trying to get his team on the front foot.
His big eighth man, Niche Koopman, also left everything on the field, but the visitors just didn’t have enough to contain the Wynberg team, who were firing on all cylinders.
Wynberg opened the scoring early after a period of patiently building their attack, phase by phase, before their big lock, Monty Loggenberg, rounded off by powering over the line around a ruck.
SACS responded immediately though, with Bradford breaking the line and kicking the ball into open space for his nimble winger, Ilitha Ntinini, to gather and score to get his team back to level terms after only seven minutes played.
Bradford’s opposite number, Sange Mbuto, was equally as influential in his team’s success.
It was Mbuto’s quick thinking and long skip pass to his winger, Tyrone Gombe, that finally broke the deadlock.
Much of the second half was a stalemate again, with the home team protecting their lead against the tireless SACS attack, until Matteo Pascoe intercepted and returned the ball a good 70m to extend the advantage to 31-7.
Wynberg’s star centre, Amier Adams, who missed the starting lineup due to illness during the week, got an opportunity to run out one last time for his first team for 10 minutes when he replaced Keenan Pretorius at flyhalf.
Adams was in on the action immediately and helped played a part in getting his team into a position where they could drive their big hooker, Nicholas van Schalkwyk, over for his team’s final try to seal the double over their old rivals.
The two fullbacks were also both on top form, with Xolela Hoyi, standing out on defence for the home team and Aya Machuli getting the last word in for the visitors with the final try of the day.
SACS’ dry spell continues, with their last victory over Wynberg being the first leg of the 2019 season.
Next year they will build their team around the experience of returning players like Bradford and his flyhalf, Rayaan Solomons.
Wynberg Boys’ High’s star flyhalf, Yaqeen Ahmed, is only in grade 10 this year, so he still has two seasons to look forward to and will definitely be one to watch in the coming years.
Scorers:
Wynberg Boys’ High 36 (24) – Tries: Monty Loggenberg, Tyrone Gombe, Xola Nyali, Matteo Pascoe, Nicholas van Schalkwyk. Conversions: Yaqeen Ahmed (4). Penalty: Ahmed. SACS 14 (7) – Tries: Ilitha Ntinini, Aya Machuli. Conversions: Rayaan Solomons (2).
Other results:
u19 – Wynberg Boys’ High II 15, SACS II 7; SACS III 22, Wynberg Boys’ High III 5.
u16 – SACS 29, Wynberg Boys’ High 23.
u15 – Wynberg Boys’ High 17, SACS 5.
u14 – SACS 17, Wynberg Boys’ High 12.
