Ben Vorster, Pietersburg in thriller
In a thrilling encounter which saw a total of 96 points and 15 tries being scored, Ben Vorster and Pietersburg played to an exciting 48-48 draw in a Classic Clash in Tzaneen.
It was the most exciting and exhilarating match Tzaneen has witnessed in a long time as both sides were more than happy to throw the ball around and play running rugby.
Ben Vorster fullback Danny Mokhoabane ended the match with a hat-trick of tries while team mate Brett Viljoen bagged a brace – which was matched by Pietersburg's scrumhalf Franco vd Watt.
The too-and-fro nature of the match continued throughout the encounter as neither side was able to land the killer blow after 70 minutes of nail-biting action. Each time it seemed that one side would have the ascendency, the other team would hit back immediately.
Pietersburg outscored their hosts eight tries to seven but it was the boot of scrumhalf Eduan Smit – who slotted five conversions and a penalty – that kept the hosts level-pegging with their visitors.
Scorers:
For Ben Vorster:
Tries: Mokhoabane 3, Viljoen 2, Mphalele, Engelbrecht
Cons: Smit 5
Pens: Smit
For Pietersburg:
Tries: Schoeman, vd Watt 2, Gadney, Botha, Meyer, JV Coertze, D Coertze
Cons: D Coertze 4
Teams:
Ben Vorster: 15 Danny Mokhoabane, 14 Floyd Ntimane, 13 Brett Viljoen, 12 Handu Pretorius, 11 Pule Molokomme, 10 Shima Mphalele, 9 Eduan Smit, 8 Stefan Engelbrecht, 7 Tiaan Vorster (captain), 6 Thapelo Molapo, 5 Janco Erasmus, 4 Jacques Venter, 3 Dieter Meyer, 2 Hanco Taljaard, 1 Matimu Mangangi.
Replacements: 16 JJ Anker, 17 Jannie Jordaan, 18 Jaco Karasseit, 19 Ruben Jordaan, 20 Welmar Pieterse, 21 Johan Buitendag, 22 Andre Klopper, 23 Ruben Ragolane.
Pietersburg: 15 Floyd Ledwaba, 14 Miguel de Sousa, 13 JV Coertze, 12 Diaan Coertze, 11 Wilrico Gadney, 10 Morne Venter, 9 Franco vd Watt, 8 Tyrone Thompson, 7 Salie Vermaak, 6 Zander Human, 5 Kobus Botha, 4 Jannie Siertseman, 3 Jan-Barend Meyer, 2 Johan du Preez, 1 Stefan Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Tertius du Plessis, 17 Martin Halgreen, 18 Herman Joubert, 19 Gavin Nel, 20 Stiaan Pistorius, 21 TJ Roos, 22 Rikus Fick.
Referee: Johre Botha
