Stellenberg Too Good for SACS
Hosts the South African College High School (SACS) were outplayed on the day by a good Stellenberg High team. The Cape winter hit Friday night and the game was played in strong gusts of wind and ended in torrential rain. The final score was 27-13 to Stellenberg (half-time 10-8).
SACS played with the stiff northwester in the first half and realistically needed to be at least fifteen points up at the interval if they were to win the game. Stellenberg started well but once SACS got into the Stellenberg half they put together a prolonged period of phase play. SACS spurned a kickable penalty to continue attacking but failed to score a try and eventually decided to take three points the second time around.
Stellenberg were not scared to kick into the wind and used the siege-gun boot of fullback Tiaan Swanepoel to good effect. It was from a clearance that did not find touch though that the next score came. SACS fullback Lecander Salies fielded the ball on the right-hand touchline around the halfway line and set off on a run that would see him score in the far left-hand corner. He was unable to convert his own try and it was 8-nil to SACS after fifteen minutes.
Stellenberg capitalised on a lost SACS line-out on the halfway line to launch a long range attack which led to a try for their ace player and fullback Tiaan Swanepoel. Swanepoel converted the try and a penalty soon after to see the visitors lead 10-8 at half-time.
Playing into wind SACS remained positive and tried to work their way up field into try scoring positions. The Stellenberg pack, buoyed by a strong mauling performance in the first half, began to get the upper hand and dominate the collisions. Swanepoel added three points early in the half before hooker Gustav Engelbrecht stretched the lead when he ripped the ball out of a tackle and raced clear to score. Swanepoel was unerring all afternoon.
SACS hit back with a long range try again instigated by Salies who freed up centre Ciaran Dayaram for the score. Salies converted to bring SACS back within seven points and raise hopes of a comeback but Stellenberg finished stronger and from a scrum near the SACS line they attacked wide. They played to touch but the forwards took over and drove in field for burly lock Waldo van Rensburg to score.
Stellenberg were deserved winners and their pack deserve praise for their performance while SACS will be left ruing a few key moments that cost them opportunities.
Scorers:
For SACS
Tries: Lecander Salies, Ciaran Dayaram
Con: Salies
Pen: Salies
For Stellenberg
Tries: Tiaan Swanepoel, Gustav Engelbrecht, Waldo van Rensburg
Cons: Swanepoel 3
Pens: Swanepoel 2
