Paul Roos win in the wet
The Western Cape was wet, Stellenberg no exception. The stand on the Markötter field was full but the seating on the far side was empty and only a few tough, umbrellaed men were dotted about. Even the assistant referee on touch carries a brollie instead of a flag.
It was a day on which forwards would be a better investment than backs, and it was the Paul Roos pack that were on top.
Oakdale played with the weather in the first half, but Paul Roos scored first and it was when they were mauling and Oakdale collapsed it. Calm Colia Louis kicked the penalty goal. 3-0 after three minutes.
A penalty by big Jay-Cee Nel pout Oakdale on the attack but they were penalised and Juan Mostert broke out with support from Regan van der Westhuizen. Breyten Maritz carried it on. A grubber by Rémy Engelbrecht and the attack was even more threatening when a penalty gave the home side a line-out six metres from the Oakdale line, but a knock-on and a big relieving kick by Neil lifted the siege, but not for long.
Hooker JJ Kotze won a turnover at a tackle and Brendan Venter was stopped right at the line. From close quarters Kotze, who had set it all in motion, scored a try which Louis converted. 10-0 after 18 minutes which was 10-3 three minutes later when Nel goaled a penalty. And then it was Paul Roos's turn again.
The home side attacked in advancing phases till massive Hanru Jacobs scored near the posts. 17-3 after 23 minutes.
Two kicks set up the Oakdale try.
A long kick was knocked on and then a box kick by scrumhalf Lian du Toit bounced back to Luke Herts who scored. 17-10 after 31 minutes.
Oakdale were in the game.
The rain stopped for a short while but returned with renewed energy in a half in which just 10 points were scored.
First Louis kicked a penalty from near touch to make it 20-10 and then Paul Roos drove a fast maul ahead from a line-out and eventually inside centre Rufus Dercksen scored.
Scorers:
For Paul Roos:
Tries: JJ Kotze, Hanru Jacobs, Rufus Dercksen
Cons: Colia Louis 3
Pens: Colia Louis 2
For Oakdale:
Try: Luke Herts
Con: Jay-Cee Nel
Pen: Jay-Cee Nel
Teams
Paul Roos: 15 Colia Louis, 14 Regan van der Westhuizen, 13 Brendan Venter, 12 Rufus Dercksen (captain), 11 Remy Engelbrecht, 10 Juan Mostert, 9 Gerado Jaars, 8 Matthew Cordy, 7 Philip van Dyk, 6 Johan Bouwer, 5 Breyten Maritz, 4 Mink Scharink, 3 Hanru Jacobs, 2 JJ Kotze, 1 Cameron Dawson
Oakdale: 15 Clyde Lewis, 14 Marcel Neethling, 13 Janco Klinck, 12 Luke Hertz, 11 Joaquin Taute, 10 Jay-Cee Nel, 9 Lian du Toit, 8 Hannes Gous, 7 JC Lourens, 6 Hanno Heunis, 5 Henco Beukes, 4 Daniel van der Berg, 3 Magnus Muller, 2 SP Kleinhans, 1 Dian Bleuler
