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Wynberg’s Alexander Runs Riot Over SACS

The traditional derby between the oldest two schools in South Africa was scheduled to be played at Wynberg in the middle of a predicted storm but thankfully that never arrived and the match was played in very pleasant conditions.

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The teams felt each other out over the first quarter with SACS having more territory and possession but the score being locked up at 3-all.

On seventeen minutes the Jason Alexander Show kicked off as he burst through a ruck and raced clear, beating two SACS defenders, to score.

Less than five minutes later after SACS had failed to clear they lines properly Wynberg were on the attack again. A line-out ball was punched up by the forwards and a few phases later Wynberg scrumhalf Matthew Demonze scored. Both tries were converted by centre Devon Pretorius and at 17-3 things were looking ominous for SACS, who needed to strike back.

SACS duly did so on thirty minutes through a driving maul, which saw SACS hooker Anathi Kalipa flop over. Fullback Ross Letcher converted to see SACS trailing by seven at the half.

SACS were right back in it immediately after half-time as lock Storm Balchin peeled off a maul about forty metres from the Wynberg tryline and raced clear up the blindside to score.

At 17-15 SACS were back in the game but a lack of concentration at the ensuing kick-off saw them concede an unnecessary penalty. Wynberg duly kicked to the corner and scored with their second attempted maul via the man of the moment, hooker Jason Alexander.

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SACS were now nine points behind and what followed was a crucial passage of play. SACS had an extended period of possession inside the Wynberg twenty-two metre area. Like the previous week against Rondebosch they failed to capitalise on possession and territory. After hammering away at the Wynberg defence for what seemed like an eternity, they came away with nothing.

With ten minutes to play Wynberg eventually managed to get back onto the attack and were awarded a penalty which they converted to go twelve points clear.

In the final seven minutes the crowd were treated to some helter-skelter, razzle-dazzle rugby to end off a long and exciting term. Four tries were scored as the game opened up. Jason Alexander scoring three himself and Jean Minnaar, SACS flank  one, after a lovely counter-attack by the visitors.

The final try from Alexander really sealed a memorable performance for the young man as he scooped up a ball that squirted out of a ruck inside the Wynberg twenty-two metre area and ran all of ninety metres to score in front of the adoring home fans.

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Wynberg have had a stellar term of rugby winning nine of their twelve matches with notable wins over Boland Landbou and Grey High. Their hooker Jason Alexander will surely be seen on TV at Craven Week in the holidays while his team mates enjoy a well-earned rest.

SACS have had a disappointing term after their flying start at the St. Stithians Easter Festival. They have no boys in Craven Week reckoning and will head off to Zimbabwe in the June/July holiday looking to regather some confidence and form leading into the final five matches of the season.

Scorers:

For Wynberg:
Tries: Jason Alexander (5), Matthew Demonze
Cons: Devon Pretorius 4, Di Livio van Wyk
Pens: Devon Pretorius 2

For SACS:
Tries: Anathi Kalipa, Jean Minnaar, Storm Balchin
Cons: Ross Letcher 2
Pen: Ross Letcher

Teams

Wynberg: 15 Di Livio van Wyk, 14 Chase Hermanus, 13 Siya Nambakuse, 12 Devon Pretorius, 11 Rethabile Louw, 10 Kyle Lamb, 9 Matthew Damonze, 8 Inga Halu, 7 Saaed Fakier, 6 Reece Brice, 5 Schubert, 4 Liam Lotz, 3 Luthando Woji, 2 Jason Alexander (captain), 1 James Pearse

SACS: 15 Ross Letcher, 14 Kabelo Mokoena, 13 Ben Mazzullo, 12 Fabrice Nahimana, 11 Cameron Abegglen, 10 Dean Reich, 9 Thurston Cloete, 8 Lukhanyo Gqokoma, 7 Jean Minnaar, 6 Craig Bylin (captain), 5 Justin Thomas, 4 Storm Balchin, 3 Joshua Barrett, 2 Anathi Kailpa, 1 Ethan Burger

By Graeme Wepener

Results Down the Years

They are unfortunately incomplete. It would be gtood to fill the gaps.

1981: SACS won 10-6 & Wynberg won 13-11
1982: SACS won 27-9 & 12-7
1983:
1984: SACS won 13-0 & 13-0
1985:
1986:
1987: Wynberg won 24
1989: Draw 9-9 & Wynberg won 18-6
1990: Wynberg won 37-4 & 15-6
1991: SACS won 10-6 and Wynberg won 16-12
1992: SACS won 29-21
1993: Wynberg won 22-0 & 32-10
1994: Wynberg won 10-0 & 17-0
1995: Wynberg won 14-9 & 29-8
1996: Wynberg won 12-7 & SACS won 7-3
1997: SACS won 27-21 & Wynberg won 26-12
1998: Wynberg won 15-10 & 31-12
1999: Wynberg won 23-15 and 20-3
2000: Wynberg won 19-0
2001:
2002: Wynberg won 24-17 & a draw 17-17
2003: Wynberg won 22-0 & 32-10
2004: Wynberg won 26-24 & 32-10
2005: SACS won 15-10 & Wynberg won 8-3
2006: Wynberg won 13-5 & 42-3
2007: SACS won 19-13 & 38-22
2008: SACS won 11-9 & 47-5
2009: Wynberg won 20-0 & 32-20
2010: Wynberg won 22-11 & 26-24
2011: SACS won 29-26 & Wynberg won 17-5
2012: Wynberg won 26-16 & 8-7
2013: Wynberg won 15-7 & 17-12
2014: Wynberg won 10-0 & 34-5
2015: SACS won 22-5 & Wynberg won 30-23
2016: SACS won 31-20 & 24-12
2017: SACS won 37-20 & 24-20

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