Free State arrive late
The scores were level with eight minutes to play when the Free State scored the try which won the match 22-15 on the second day of the 2009 Craven Week.
That it was that close was unfair in a way because Free State scored three tries to nil. That it stayed close had much to do with Frederik Zelinger’s boot and a whistle which broke down the game.
KwaZulu Natal played with the wind in the first half and led 12-0 with four penalties by Zelinger who even attempted from 12 metres inside his own half. But even into the wind the Free State looked like taking over with a more direct approach and strong tackling. In fact they scored the only try when they tapped a penalty had a little subtlety and prop Stephanus Pretorius swept over.
That made the score 12-5 at half-time
Free State had the wind at their backs in the second half and scored first when flyhalf Johan Goosen goaled a penalty and then went ahead with a try of many passes as forwards and backs handled with zest.
Carl Wegner was fortunately tall enough to get a high pass and hang onto it in the juggle before giving a perfect pass to Siphosetu Tom who scored under the posts.
Goosen’s conversion made it 15-12 to the Free State with nearly 20 minutes to play. But not long afterwards Zelinger levelled the scores with a kick into the wind from an angle – the best kick into the ugly wind of the day. There were still 25 minutes to play.
Free State were getting good possession and KwaZulu Natal were being much penalised but still KwaZulu Natal hung in there and in fact much of the game was played in midfield. Free State paid Natal the compliment of trying drops at goal as if surrendering their hops of scoring another try. They missed them.
After one of the missed drops, Zelinger dropped out and Free State counterattacked. Jean Cook produced a great hand-off and then gave to centre Piet Lindeque who swept past a defender for a try close in. Goosen converted.
There were eight minutes to play and KwaZulu Natal tried manfully but could not dent Free State’s resolution.
Three tries to nil suggests a deserved victory, which it was.
Scorers:
For Free State:
Tries: Pretorius. Tom, Lindeque
Cons: Goosen 2
Pen: Goosen
For KwaZulu Natal:
Pens: Zelinger 5
Teams
Free State: 15 Riaan Britz (Grey College), 14 Siyasanga Mkunku (Louis Botha), 13 Piet Lindeque (Grey College), 12 Francois Venter (Grey College), 11 Chejan Mallane (Grey College), 10 Johan Goosen (Grey College), 9 Pieter Rademan (Grey College, captain), 8 Niell Jordaan (Grey College), 7 Jean Cook (Grey College), 6 Oscar Lemane (Louis Botha), 5 Carl Wegner (Grey College), 4 Nkululeku Mthethwa (Louis Botha), 3 Stephan Pretorius (Grey College), 2 Baksteen van Heerden (Grey College), 1 Stephan Kotze (Grey College), 16 Van Zyl Botha (Grey College), 17 Lerato Ramahlape (Louis Botha), 18 Heinrich Douglas (Louis Botha), 19 Egbert Ras (Grey College), 20 Zuluboy Duma (Louis Botha), 21 Siphosetu Tom (Grey College), 22 Brian Malakome (Sentraal).
KwaZulu Natal: 15 Orefile Nakin (Michaelhouse), 14 Andile Dlamini (St Charles), 13 Kayde Fisher (Westville), 12 Patrick Howard (Michaelhouse), 11 Emil Schwartz (Hilton), 10 Frederik Zeilinga (Glenwood), 9 Michael Nolden (Hilton), 8 Siseko Jafta (St Charles), 7 Brendon Groenewald (Glenwood), 6 Francois Kleinhans (Glenwood), 5 Cameron Lindsay (Michaelhouse), 4 Frederick Schnetler (Glenwood), 3 Nicholas Schonert (Maritzburg College), 2 Senzo Mtshali (Glenwood), 1 John-Roy Jenkinson (Glenwood), 16 Ruan Grobler (Glenwood), 17 Shane van der Schyff (Glenwood), 18 Zwela Zondi (St Charles), 19 Siphiwe Mafareka (Hilton), 20 KM Bastew (Maritzburg College), 21 Lindokuhle Shabalala (Ladysmith), 22 Mzwandile Mbuyazi (Glenwood)
