Wynberg overpower SACS
Wynberg Boys' High School easily beat the South African College High School (SACS) 26-16 in their annual FNB Classic Clash.
It was not a great game of rugby with both teams guilty of numerous basic errors. But Wynberg were by far the better team on the day and deserved their comfortable win.
SACS put a bit of phase play together at the beginning of the game which allowed them to take the lead via a Chris Smith penalty. SACS coughed up the kick-off though and Wynberg drew level minutes later via the boot of fullback Siya Alam.
The teams continued to contest fairly evenly and SACS extended their lead to 9-6 midway through the half. SACS were getting on the wrong end of referee Jonathan Kaplan's whistle though and as the penalty count mounted SACS were given a yellow card for repeated infringements.
Down to fourteen men SACS conceded a try to a simple back row move. 2011 SA Schools captain and No.8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe picked the ball up at the base of a scrum and drew three defenders onto himself, before popping the ball off to Wynberg centre and captain Justin Scott who burst through to score. Alam kicked the easy conversion and a penalty soon after to see Wynberg go into the interval 16-9 to the good.
Wynberg based their gameplan on their strong maul and SACS struggled to counter their efforts throughout the game. Wynberg kicking penalties to touch and mauling SACS became the theme of the game.
In contrast SACS could not win their own line-outs and were slow to clean the few rucks they were able to set up when they actually had the ball. Consequently SACS had no rhythm to their play at any stage after the first fifteen minutes and were holding on for the most part.
Wynberg executed their game plan to perfection and suffocated SACS whose forwards, who when they did get the ball, allowed themselves to be sucked into an arm wrestle which played straight into Wynberg’s hands.
Predictably Wynberg scored their second try from a maul when hooker Tyler Reichardt flopped over for an easy score. Alam kicked a penalty soon after to put Wynberg out to a 29-6 lead. SACS finally woke up and played some rugby in the last ten minutes and were rewarded with a consolation try for No.8 Gino Lupini, which was converted by Smith.
Wynberg capped off a great term with in which they beat Grey High away from home and all three their Southern Suburb rivals. They will be kicking themselves that they have not yet gained a Boland scalp, coming within a minute of beating Paarl Gim at home and losing 29-10 to Paul Roos. They have two more chances though when they host Boland Landbou and Paarl Boishaai on the first two weekends of next term.
SACS have also had a good term but needed Saturday’s Classic Clash result to finish it off.
They will be disappointed that they did not play to their potential at Wynberg but have the return game at the end of August to look forward to at least.
The scorers:
For Wynberg Boys' High School:
Tries: Justin Scott, Tyler Reichardt
Cons: Siya Alam 2
Pens: Alam 4
For SACS:
Try: Gino Lupuini
Con: Chris Smith
Pens: Smith 3
The teams:
Wynberg: 15 Siya Alam, 14 Darryn Rix, 13 Jarryd Sage, 12 Justin Scott (captain), 11 Josh de Stadler, 10 Riaan O’Neill 9 David Bedingham, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Lee Nicholson, 6 Jake Rigby, 5 Dylan Roberts, 4 Devin Trull, 3 Simon Kannemeyer, 2 Tyler Reichardt, 1 Mike Sullivan.
SACS: 15 Keegan Wheeler, 14 Suwi Chibale, 13 Richard Rodgers, 12 Leighton van Wyk, 11 Mzi Dempers, 10 Chris Smith 9 Cameron Calder (captain), 8 Gino Lupini, 7 Luke van der Smit, 6 Miles Hoogwerf, 5 Adam de Carvalho, 4 Dean Basson, 3 Yandisa Maqenukana, 2 Struan Murray, 1 Joel Macquene.
