Waterkloof come back to win
Helpmekaar Kollege seemed on the brink of a victory over Hoërskool Waterkloof and a major upset. It was only in the second half that the home side got a point ahead of the victors – 19-18 after Helpies had led 18-7 at half-time.
It was a super match in great weather before a big crowd at Waterkloof.
Klofies were expected to win handsomely. After all they are sixth in the FNB Top 20 which Helpies are not in the Top 20 at all. Klofies play against top opposition. Of their 11 matches seven have been against Top 20 teams while Affies are the only top 20 opposition Helpies have had, In fact they are the only opposition common to both sides. Klofies beat Affies 38-21 while Helpies lost to them 36-24. But hats off to Helpies for doing so well and doing it so positively.
Helpies were the first to attack and centre AJ van Blerk was stopped in front of the Klofies posts a metre or so from the line. When Klofies were penalised burly prop Gihardt Visagie goaled. 3-0 after 6 minutes.
Klofies got the first try when Helpies overthrew at a line-out, Janneman Malan broke cleanly and his centre partner Wilbri Gunther dummied and accelerated over for the try which Tinus de Beer converted. This gave Klofies a 7-3 lead which lasted for eight minutes.
Gihardt Visagie kicked a penalty and then scored a try from a line-out maul, and Helpies led 11-7. Another try and they led 18-7, which was the half-time score and it could have been more had they not missed a penalty kick on the stroke of half-time.
It took Klofies just four minutes into the second half to get right back in the game. They counterattacked and then went left where wing and captain Dewald Lindeque stepped sharply inside a defender and scored. 18-14.
JC van Wijk had a strong run down the left. Klofies counterattacked again with Wilbri Gunther and Juandré Michau prominent. Waterkloof went right and then left and fullback Stedman Gans scored, and Klofies were back in the lead 19-18.
Now Klofies were taking over the match. Helpies suffered a sad yellow card, Klofies tapped and JP Snyman scored near the posts. 26-18.
Helpies kicked a penalty out for a five-metre line-out but overthrew the line-out and Wilbri Gunther raced away. Just short of the goal-line Neels Schoeman was tackled. The line-out was again overthrown and this time JP Snyman scored a try. 33-18 with four minutes to play.
Helpies deserve many accolades but the second half was a bridge too far as they were playing at a higher level than they were used to.
Scorers:
For Waterkloof:
Tries: Wilbri Gunther, Dewald Lindeque, Stedman Gans, JP Snyman 2
Cons: Tinus de Beer 4
For Helpmekaar:
Tries: Gihardt Visagie, AN Other
Cons: Gihardt Visagie
Pens: Gihardt Visagie 2
Waterkloof: 15. Stedman Gans, 14. Runan Venter, 13. Wilbri Gunther, 12. Janneman Malan, 11. Dewald Lindeque (captain), 10. Tinus de Beer, 9. Jeandré Pieterse, 8. JP Snyman, 7. Juandré Michau, 6. Stian Smit, 5. JC van Wijk, 4. Tiaan Erasmus, 3. JD Burger, 2. Roan Venter, 1. Basil Polydorou
Replacements: 16. Jeandré Jones, 19. Neels Schoeman, 18. Chergin Fillies, 17. Jean Venter, 20. Berco Venter, 21. Francois Karg, 22. Corné Schoeman, 23. Jason Polydorou
Helpmekaar: 15. Anlo van Wyk, 14. Christo Saayman, 13. Mel Mathieson, 12. AJ van Blerk, 11. Nikki Groenewald, 10. Justin Taylor, 9. Divan Minnaar, 8. Lassie Schutte (captain), 7. Dale Hartman, 6. Francois Uys, 5. Tjaart Eygelaar, 4. Frank Francis, 3. Jan-Hendrik van Heerden, 2. Eddie van der Merwe, 1. Gihardt Visagie
