Affies too strong for KES

Affies, beaten by the great Grey College side last weekend, were too strong for KES in an Premier Interschools match at King Edward VII School in Johannesburg, winning 38-10 on Saturday afternoon.

It is the sixth time that Affies have beaten KES in six matches since 1997.

It was a score that flattered Affies somewhat though they were clearly the better, more creative side.

Affies attacked first and Vic Meyer, whose father Heyneke was watching, was brought down about four metres from the goal-line. But Affies recycled the ball and Vic Meyer was up to dart over. Eddie Fouché, who kicked exceptionally well on the day, converted from far out. 7-0 after 3 minutes.

A penalty gave KES an attacking line-out and they bashed till Affies were penalised and Tony de Zorzi goaled. 7-3 after 7 minutes.

Lock Juan Basson of Affies had a strong run and set his side on the attack again but KES won an Affies line-out and then defended with zeal. from a five-metre scrum scrumhalf Divan Henning was over but held up. Affies stayed on the attack and from a line-out on the right they went left and right wing Tiaan Schmullian cut through to score. 14-3 after 32 minutes.

KES attacked and instead of kicking for goal, tapped a penalty. The bashed at the Affies line and then scrumhalf Nkosano Mathaba sold a dummy and dived to score under the posts but as DP du Plessis and Eduan Lubbe tried to stop him from the sides, the scrumhalf lost the ball and the referee called half-time.

Affies attacked first in the second half and their splendid fullback Eduan Keyter was held up over the line. That produced a five=-metre scrum from which they bashed at the line till their captain Ruan Roelofse burst through three defenders to score. 21-3 after 49 minutes  and three minutes later it was 24-3 with a penalty by Eddie Fouché.

At this stage KES, who had been so proudly determined, looked a bit dejected as they kicked three kicks out on the full. but then they gathered heart and attacked. A penalty gave them an attacking line-out. They mauled and then hooker Willem du Plessis forced his way  through three defenders for a try which Brad Naudé converted. 24-10 after 56 minutes.

From, a scrum on the right Affies went left. A pass inside to Tiaan Schmullian struck the big wing's knee. There may have been some hesitation in the expectation of a knock on but the wing did not hesitate to run after the ball. A defender was dispossessed and centre Henco Jordaan scored. 31-10 after 59 minutes.

From a scrum Henco Jordaan grubbered and gathered. He seemed certain to score but left wing Mangobo Mbatha felled him from behind. Affies had a line-out and prop DP du Plessis looked about to score when Mangobo Mbatha again saved a try with a wonderful tackle.

KES tried a grubber but the ball went to Eduan Keyter on the half-way line. The fullback ran with long strides and easy swerves to score far out on the right. Eddie Fouché converted and referee Victor Schwulst blew the final whistle.

This does not do justice to the energy, creativity and good manners of this match.

Scorers

For Affies:

Tries: Vic Meyer, Tiaan Schmullian, Ruan Roelofse, Eddie Fouché, Eduan Keyter

Cons:  Eddie Fouché 5

Pen: Eddie Fouché

For KES:

Try: Willem du Plessis

Con: Brad Naudé

Pen: Tony de Zorzi

Teams

KES: 15. Rashard Fuller, 14. Keketso Maphathe, 13. Percy Moshikaro, 12. Brad Naudé, 11. Mangobo Mbatha, 10. Tony de Zorzi, 9. Nkosano Mathaba, 8. Jordan Mills (captain), 7. Michele Marussi, 6. Brendon O' Donoghue, 5. Dorian Botha, 4. Senzo Mkhize, 3. Keagan Mills, 2. Willem du Plessis, 1. Jake Glass

Affies: 15. Eduan Keyter, 14. Tiaan Schmullian, 13. Ryno Lourens, 12. Henco Jordaan, 11. Janco Booysen, 10. Eddie Fouché, 9. Divan Henning, 8. Eduan Lubbe, 7. Vic Meyer, 6. Ruan Roelofse (captain), 5. Human Bodenstein, 4. Juan Basson, 3. Strauss Koekemoer, 2. Viaan Mong, 1. DP du Plessis

Referee: Richard Schwulst (Golden Lions Referees' Society)