Stellenberg are Sevens Champs
There were 32 teams in the Western Province Sevens Championships at Florida Park.
In Group 1 the defending champions Paarl Gimnasium and Stellenberg both scored comfortable first round wins, to pit them against each other in Round 2.
Stellenberg started like a house on fire, showing scant regard for the reputation of the defending champions and national powerhouse in the 15-man game. They raced to a 19-0 lead, with tries from Evert Carstens, speedster Lance Jurgens and live-wire Ricardo Duarttee. Gim, again missing their SA Schools player Johan Visser (He also missed inter-schools, and this time away at the Commonwealth Games in Samoa), regained their composure after half-time and with two tries it was game on at 19-14. Stellenberg, determined not to let their early advantage slip away, added another try by Handré van Zyl. Gim scored on the final whistle, Stellenberg managing an upset win of 24-21.
Excelsior Secondary, another well-known exponent of the Sevens game, were eliminated in Round 2, leaving Milnerton High and Macassar High as the other strong contenders in Group 1.
In Group 2, Tygerberg High were playing a beautiful brand of Sevens rugby, under the tutelage of Sevens supremo Gavin Beresford. Their structure, beautiful running lines and crisp handling saw them ease into the semifinals.
There they were to meet the winners of the quarterfinal between Bellville South and Kasselsvlei. Both teams featured an abundance of pace and stepping ability, that got the excitement going in the stands. Bellville South beat Tygerberg a week earlier at the Tygerburger Sevens Tournament, with Kasselsvlei the plate winners from that tournament. This time Kasselsvlei managed to get one over their neighbours in a spectacular encounter, which saw several end-to-end tries leaving both teams exhausted at the final whistle of the last and most exciting quarterfinal.
The power and hard running of Tygerberg were just too much for Kasselsvlei in the semifinal. Tygerberg were in great form to score a fifty point win, looking strong to be crowned Sevens champions of Western Province once again.
Stellenberg eased through to the final. With their coaching team of Bobby Joubert and Coenraad de Villiers sporting strong Sevens pedigrees, the table was set for an exciting final.
Two first half tries by captain and player of the tournament Matthew Boshoff gave the Stellies a slender 12-7 lead. Tygerberg improved their accuracy after the break, and were leading 19-12. With less than a minute to go, and Tygerberg on the attack, the result seemed to go their way. Stellenberg however managed a turnover in their own 22, and after great interplay by Ricardo Duarttee and Evert Carstens, the exciting 16-year-old Jacques van Biljon scored in the corner. Tygerberg were hanging on to a 19-17 lead.
With seconds remaining, Evert and Schalk Carstens combined to regain possession from the kick-off, with Doohan Hanekom racing away to break the Tiere hearts.
Both teams gave their everything, and the great spirit afterwards between the neighbouring schools showed the respect they have for one another. Many of the players represented their school for the last time on a rugby field, but the friendships they built will last forever.
From Pierre du Preez
