SACS overpower plucky Rondebosch

Hosts the South African College High School (SACS) put in a commanding performance in beating rivals Rondebosch Boys’ High School 36-17. A good crowd turned out on an overcast morning in Newlands for what was an entertaining match, won thanks to four first half tries by SACS, which saw them lead 26-7 at the interval.

The game could have been so different had Rondebosch taken their early chances. They missed a relatively easy penalty kick early on and twice opened up the SACS defence, which was forced to scramble. Rondebosch captain Tim Hillock provided the spark for his team while SACS’s tenacious captain and scrumhalf Cmaeron Calder was forced to track back and save the day on more than one occasion. If Rondebosch had capitalised on these opportunities the game could have panned out very differently.

Having weathered the storm SACS went on the attack and scored when lock Adam de Carvalho flopped over off the back on a driving maul. Flyhalf Chris Smith missed an easy conversion but on target with the next three later in the half.

SACS’s second try was an opportunist one by wing Suwi Chibale. Rondebosch began to counter attack but an errant pass was snapped up by Chibale who ran fifty metres to score. SACS’s third try was much better and came after constructive phase play sucked in the Rondebosch defence and allowed Chibale to waltz over in the corner untouched for his second.

SACS’s Achilles heel, dropped kick-offs, came back to haunt them and Rondebosch surged onto the attack. Building some good phases of their own they went infield and then swung play up the blindside for lock Duncan Geldenhuys to crash over for his first try, which was converted by flyhalf Tyren Lee. SACS extended their lead though on the stroke of half-time after a neat break from flyhalf Chris Smith allowed No.8 Gino Lupini to crash over.

Rondebosch came back strongly in the second-half and really took the game to SACS, in particular putting some heat on the SACS scrum. Rondebosch got into their pattern a few times in the second half and when they got quick ball produced some lovely rugby. Their second try coming after they had stretched the SACS defence, allowing Geldenhuys to cruise over for his second try.

SACS soaked up more pressure but were able to stem the tide with a well-taken penalty by Smith which stretched their 29-12, and once again three scores clear. SACS flank Luke van der Smit then had a big run up-field and into the Rondebosch half. Calder dinked a chip over the top of the ruck which bounced kindly for Chibale, who raced over to complete his hat-trick.

Rondebosch finished the game with a flourish which allowed fullback Matthew Steele to get over in the corner for their third try. As one would expect of Rondebosch they competed well throughout but SACS were stronger upfront early on in particular and had more threatening ball-carriers which allowed them to gain momentum, which is so important in modern rugby.

SACS’s resolve will be well and truly tested next week when they head out to Paarl to take on Gimnasium, while Rondebosch host Tygerberg High.

Scorers:

For SACS

Tries: Suwi Chibale 3, Gino Lupini, Adam de Carvalho

Cons: Chris Smith 4

Pen: Smith

For Rondebosch

:Tries: Duncan Geldenhuys 2, Matthew Steele

Con: Tyren Lee