Paul Roos Just Too Good
It was the biggest win in matches between the two teams since it became an annual event in 2005.
There was plenty of evidence in this match that this year's Paul Roos side is exceptional. In six matches this year, this is the lowest score Paul Roos have achieved in amassing 428 points while conceding 44.
To start with Paul Roos have an excellent, energetic, cohesive pack and a backline that can run away to scored tries from anywhere on the field. The pack's zeal for the ball and speed in reacting to a situation were remarkable. Half of their tries were in fact scored by forwards.
It was a match of 26 penalties, divided 17-9 in Grey's favour. The first one was at the first kick-off when Paul Roos were penalised for a offside at a knock-on. Matt Easton goaled, and for 10 minutes Grey held the lead.
Losing the lead burst the dam wall.
A penalty gave Paul Roos a five-metre line-out. They won the ball as they did in every one of their line-outs, mauled and hooker JJ Kotze scored. Fullback Kade Wolhuter converted. 7-3 after 11 minutes.
When Paul Roos next attacked, Kotze was held up over the line and from the scrum Paul Roos battered at the line. Flank Herman Heinz had two bursts that led to a try by wing Tiaan Pretorius. 12-3 after 20 minutes, and Grey were getting little of the ball.
Wolhuter goaled a penalty, Grey kicked off and Paul Roos scored. The referee was playing advantage when they raced downfield. Pretorius kicked a little grubber inside and Heins was there to score the try. 22-3 after 27 minutes.
That was the half-time score. In that half Paul Roos had had 12 tackles to make, Grey 50. That tells the story of the division of possession.
Paul Roos attacked and desperate Grey, trying to make the most of a precious scrap of possession, ran from their own line. Paul Roos got the ball and elegant Regan van der Westhuizen scored. 29-3
When Remy Engelbrecht was tackled high, Juan Mostert kicked an excellent penalty down towards the Grey line. Paul Roos mauled and then went wide where substitute Gerhard Cloete, on for injured Micardo du Preez, raced onto the ball and was over with force. 36-3 with 14 minutes to play.
Lively scrumhalf Renaldo Pedro broke and set Grey on the attack. Liyema Matyolweni was stopped close to the line. Paul Roos were penalised, Pedro tapped, darted and dived, but was just short. Grey got the ball and Matyolweni scored. 36-8 with 10 minutes to play.
The try injected life into Grey and they probably had their best period of play now – until Paul Roos scored, that is.
Grey were attacking, Engelbrecht broke and Wolhuter scored a try. His conversion ended the match.
Scorers:
For Paul Roos:
Tries: JJ Kotze, Tiaan Pretorius, Herman Heins, Gerhard Cloete, Regan van der Westhuizen, Kade Wolhuter
Cons: Kade Wolhuter: 5
Pen: Kade Wolhuter
For Grey:
Try: Liyema Matyolweni
Pen: Matthew Easton
Teams
Paul Roos: 15 Kade Wolhuter, 14 Remy Engelbrecht, 13 Regan van der Westhuizen, 12 Brendan Venter, 11 Tiaan Pretorius, 10 Juan Mostert, 9 Xander Botha, 8 André Smit, 7 Herman Heins, 6 Johan Bouwer, 5 Micardo du Preez, 4 Jarod Cairns, 3 Mink Scharink, 2 JJ Kotze (captain), 1 Robbie Rogers
Replacements: 16 Mering Ebersohn, 17 Jan Corrick van der Walt, 18 Hanru Jacobs, 19 Mathew Cordy, 20 Gerhard Cloete, 21 Ruben Labuschagne, 22 Cade Croy, 23 Kobus Tubb
Grey: 15 Enrique Franks, 14 Joshua Oosthuizen, 13 Liyema Matyolweni, 12 LJ du Preez, 11 Andrew Dalgleish, 10 Matthew Easton, 9 Runaldo Pedro, 8 Ryan Adams, 7 Yolisa Dlalda, 6 CJ Greeff, 5 Laken Gray, 4 Dumisa Ngcivana, 3 S Adams, 2 Corné Slabbert (captain), 1 Warwick Griffin
Replacements: 16 Daniel Wolf, 17 Nathan Doster, 18 Marco Nortjé, 19 Litha Adam, 20 Joe Lyons, 21 Darren Vermaak, 22 Mark Michau, 23 Antonio May
Referee: Sinethemba Mrulwa
Assistant referees: Ryan Deacon, Clarence Khumalo
Results Down the Years
2005: Draw, 14-14 in Port Elizabeth
2006: Paul Roos won 28-14 in Stellenbosch
2007: Paul Roos won 31-17 in Port Elizabeth
2008: Grey won 23-19 in Stellenbosch
2009: Paul Roos won 20-13 in Port Elizabeth
2010: Paul Roos won 43-37 in Stellenbosch
2011: Paul Roos won 22-19 in Port Elizabeth
2012: Grey won 23-19 in Stellenbosch
2013: Grey won 23-18 in Port Elizabeth
2014: Grey won 27-26 in Stellenbosch
2015: Paul Roos won 34-3 in Port Elizabeth
2016: Paul Roos won 36-21 in Stellenbosch
2017: Grey won 22-20 in Port Elizabeth
2018: Paul Roos won 43-8 in Stellenbosch
