Affies by the skin of their teeth
Waterkloof and Affies have played against each other 38 times since 1987 but this match came after a break and Affies ere made to work hard to beat an impressive Waterkloof side 19-18,scoring the winning points with only a few seconds of playing time left on the clock.
Waterkloof showed from the outset that they were here for business and dominated in the scrums while Affies team's performance was strewn with errors.
Affies scored the first try in this match by left wing, Thys van Wyk, after about 10 minutes of play. The Affie captain and scrumhalf Ivan van Zyl's conversion from the sidelines hit the upright but nevertheless tumbled over the crossbar giving Affies a 7-0 lead over Klofies.
Less than five minutes later, Waterkloof’s prop Johan van Wyk found a gap in the Affie defense and scored a try, which flyhalf Tinus de Beer converted.
Waterkloof wing Dewald Lindeque placed his team in the lead just before halftime with a try. Tinus de Beer missed the conversion and two penalties in first half. Nevertheless, Waterkloof was in the lead with a 12-7 score during halftime.
Affies dominated the second half with possession and launched an attack on the Waterkloof try-line. However, the Affie team's handling errors thwarted their efforts.
Klofie Thinus de Beer scored the first points for the second half after about 20 minutes of play when Waterkloof were awarded a penalty in front of the poles. It looked as if Waterkloof had a comfortable lead of 15-7 at this stage.
Affies subsequent attempt to score a try was again stopped by brutal defending from the Waterkloof side.
Waterkloof flyhalf Tinus de Beer did not roll away after a tackle and was caught with his hand in a loose ruck. He's received a yellow card and had to leave the field. The Klofie team was not discouraged and kept on defending their try-line but with just 14 men on the field could not stop a spirited Affie Tiaan Schmulian's try in the corner.
The try kept Affies within striking distance at 12-15. Klofie flyhalf Tinus de Beer had another opportunity at the rugby posts and with a few minutes of playing time over Waterkloof was in the lead with 18-12.
Affies showed character in the last seconds. Eduan Keyter after a relentless onslaught on the try line, found a gap in the Klofie defence and scored a try between the posts. Van Zyl converted the try giving Affies a single point to snatch victory away from Klofies.
Klofies flyhalf Tinus de Beer was oustanding; he was a thorn in the Affies' side. His tactical kicking and attacking flair made him a constant threat. Waterkloof twins, the flanks Sean and David Joyce, were like ‘terrible twins’ on the day, and played excellent rugby. When they left the field with injuries the Klofie side struggled.
Affie’s star player was: left wing, Thys van Wyk who also scored a brilliant try.
From Waterkloof
