Close FNB Clash in Uitenhage
The two schools about 100 metres apart are inevitable rivals – bigger Daniël Pienaar and must smaller Die Brandwag, two of the keenest rugby schools in the land. Die Brandwag won this FNB Classic Clash 10-9.
This FNB Classic Clash was played at Daniël Pienaar, culminating in the highlight of a week of festivities at Daniël Pienaar (reunions and that) and kicked off at half past 12 in a festival atmosphere.
In front of a capacity crowd Brandwag managed to outscore their opponents by two tries to none to win the game by one point as Daniël Pienaar succeeded with three penalties. It was a typical Brandwag – Daniel Pienaar derby game, hard and played at a high tempo.
Respective supporters from the two school will tell you that it was a game full of “if only’s”: If only Daniël Pienaar’s flyhalf converted their last second penalty from right in front of the Brandwag posts and one more! If only Brandwag converted their penalty from in front of Daniël Pienaar’s posts! If only Brandwag’s kickers converted their two tries and one more penalty! If only the referee didn't call a Brandwag forward pass seeing a try under the posts being disallowed! And so it can continue-the game was hard-hard running and hard hits, a real spectacle for an impartial spectator to watch, but nerve wrecking to all supporters from Daniel Pienaar and from Brandwag.
In the end the team who scored two tries to nothing walked away deserved victors, leaving Daniël Pienaar gutted as they had an opportunity to clinch victory at the very end from right in front of the Brandwag posts; the penalty kick was missed and the final whistle blew, Brandwag winning 10-9 after trailing 5-6 at half time. Both teams were quite evenly matched in the set phases and in the loose, with Brandwag having that little advantage at scrum time and enjoying more running by their loose forwards.
The man of the match award on Brandwag’s side was given to centre, Derick du Toit.
This healthy battle for bragging rights will continue next year and for many years to come.
From Jannie Erasmus
Results of FNB Classic Clashes
2006: Daniël Pienaar won 31-16
2007: Daniël Pienaar won 31-21
2008: Die Brandwag won 22-14
2009: Die Brandwag won 35-10
2010: Die Brandwag won 18-13
2011: Die Brandwag won 11-5
2012: Daniël Pienaar won 28-23
2013: Die Brandwag won 17-15
2014: Die Brandwag won 10-9
