SACS take the triple crown
Two of South Africa's oldest schools met in a Classic Clash up in Newlands on a magnificent winter's day, and for the first time since the second match in 2011 SACS (186 years old) beat Wynberg (174 years ) old in the 1st XV the 1st XV match, to win the Classic Clash 22-5.
This match at SACS was the first match in 2015. The last time SACS beat Wynberg at 1st XV level was the second match in 2011. Wynberg won the first match 17-5 that year but then SACS won the second match 29-26. Between then and this match in June 2015 Wynberg went unbeaten in the six matches between the two.
On this sparkling mid-morning, the day before mid-winter's day, with Table Mountain and Devil's Peak picked out against the bluest of skies Wynberg had a good first half, especially the second half of the first half, a half which ended 5-all.
SACS started well. They were much better at line-outs and it was a won SACS line-out that hooker Lance Steytler burst though the midfield on a strong run. Then SACS won a tighthead and attacked till Alex Halvorsen stretched out a long arm and scored in the left corner. SACS were winning 5-0 after 4 minutes.
SACS were now playing with confidence. They tapped a penalty and ran and then Athi Gazi counterattacked deep in his own territory, doing himself harm. He was tackled and penalised and then taken off in agony on a stretcher in agony. Leon Abrahams came on as a substitute.
Now Wynberg had a good passage of play. They kicked the penalty against Gazi out for a five-metre line-out on their left. They then executed perfectly a well-practised move. The front player in the line-out, prop Romario Henriques, stood firm while those behind shuffled back as if to receive the throw but hooker Christian Botha threw to Henriques who immediately passed to his right to eighthman Stephen Mathew who went straight through the gap behind Henriques and powered over for a try. 5-5 after 16 minutes.
Wynberg's lively scrumhalf Labib Kannemeyer on a long run. SACS were penalised and again kicked out for a five-metre line-out. This time they were more conventional and went for the line but yielded possession to a SACS scrum, from which Ciaran Dayaram broke powerfully and the next thing SACS were racing down the left side of the field up as far as the half-way line. Halvorsen and scrumhalf Rua-Ees Arendse had good breaks, till the half ended at 5-all.
From a defensive scrum right wing Tumi Magoje had a great wing down the right and then SACS worked the ball wide left where Halvorsen was close to scoring his second. Wynberg were penalised five metres from the their line and SACS flank Liam Larkan, tapped and forced his way past three defenders to score a try which flyhalf Jordan Chait of the long boot converted. 12-5 after 39 minutes.
Wynberg missed a straightforward penalty, which seemed to lift SACS's spirits and dampen those of the visitors. SACS lock Tommy Posen had a long run and only a knock-on prevented a try. But Chait goaled and easy penalty. 15-5. Then came a brilliant try.
SACS were just outside their 22 when Chait chipped, chased and caught the ball. He handed off strongly and then off loaded to Kyle Boyd who raced unhampered some 40 metres to score under the posts. 22-5 with six minutes to play.
SACS were delighted but their manners kept them composed as captain Chait went to thank the referee and the players thanked each other – a refreshing change for the hugging and dancing that often accompanies the final whistle.
Scorers:
For SACS:
Tries: Alex Halvorsen, Liam Larkan, Kyle Boyd
Cons: Jordan Chait 2
Pen: Jordan Chait
For Wynberg:
Try: Stephen Mathew
Teams
SACS: 15 Athi Gazi, 14 Tumi Mogoje, 13 Ciaran Dayaram, 12 Kyle Boyd, 11 Thomas Waterkeyn, 10 Jordan Chait (captain), 9 Rua-Ees Arendse, 8 Alex Halvorsen, 7 Liam Larkan, 6 Dylan Hadzigrigoriou, 5 James Brewer, 4 Tommy Posen, 3 Duncan Ferguson, 2 Lance Steytler, 1 Sihle Lonzi.
Replacements: 16 Dane Brouwer, 17 Seb Schultz, 18 Cameron Laurenson, 19 Elliot Avery, 20 Michael Haasbroek, 21 Liam Abrahams, 22 Justin Bendeman.
Wynberg: 15 Daniel Jamieson, 14 Tristan Turner, 13 Mushtaq Rossier, 12 Jordan Holgate (captain), 11 Dian Fourie, 10 Dominic Coetzer, 9 Labib Kannemeyer, 8 Stephen Mathew, 7 Shaine Orderson, 6 Callum Steyn, 5 Connor Thalrose, 4 Gideon Boshoff, 3 Mathew James, 2 Christian Botha, 1 Romario Henriques.
Replacements: 16 Adeeb Isaacs, 17 Yanga Ngcayisa, 18 Dominic Boulle, 19 Michael Scholtz, 20 Troy Kotze, 21 Mika Ekstrom, 22 Craig Vinnicombe.
Referee: Nathan Barry (Western Province Referees' Society)
Assistant referees: Cullum Johnston (Western Province Referees' Society), Aimee Barrett (Western Province Referees' Society)
