SACS do the double over Wynberg

SACS comfortably beat traditional rivals Wynberg Boys’ High 38-22 in the annual FNB Classic Clash. The match was played at SACS in front of a large and appreciate crowd. The weather was magnificent and the teams were privileged to have Jonathan Kaplan overseeing the final game of their season.

SACS went into the game overwhelming favourites in terms of results for the season but Wynberg have for some year’s now managed to raise themselves for the derby and have regularly turned the form book on its head with the abrasive forward orientated style.

SACS were determined not to let that happen again though and got off to a flying start. The impressive SACS backs easily opening up the Wynberg defence twice in the first five minutes. Outside centre Aaron Jacobs score twice, both tries created and converted by his partner Chad Moolman. First it was eighthman Adam Norman running inside Moolman and then it was flank Dugald Robertson running outside Moolman, who both breached the Wynberg defence before linking with Jacobs who finished in style.

SACS were completely dominant for the first quarter and controlled territory and possession. Moolman had a long-range penalty miss while fullback Rodney Mthi had another of his trademark jinking runs to set up Dugald Robertson who was tackled out on the corner flag. It looked like SACS would run away with the game but that is rarely how things work in high-pressure derby games.

Wynberg, although they had hardly touched the ball, were not going to lie down and they were soon back in the game. Two kicks from their own half putting SACS under pressure and resulting in twelve points. A cross-kick that was gathered by impressive Wynberg left-wing Christo Terblanche led to a ruck on the SACS 22-metre line. The dynamic Wynberg tight-head Morne Smith ran a great line off his flyhalf and streaked in under the sticks. Fullback Tyronne Bloor converted. Soon after Wynberg kicked long and SACS right-wing Ishmat Fakier got himself in a horrible tangle. He offloaded directly to his opposite number and Terblanche gladly accepted the gift five pointer. It was game-on again.

The team’s traded penalties but it was SACS who ended the half stronger. Good counter-rucking saw SACS secure a turnover ball. Flyhalf Tim Carr made the half-break before offloading to Moolman who used his considerable strength to score. Moolman missed the conversion to see SACS go into the interval leading 25-15.

SACS started the second half well and had a couple of good attacking forays, but it was Wynberg who scored first. Impressive flyhalf Justin Pretorius jinking his way through the SACS defence before linking with flanker Stephen Heumer. Heumer scored and Bloor converted to bring Wynberg back with three-pointy range.

Moolman then kicked a penalty goal and this seemed to spark Wynberg back into action. They came back and dominated the middle period of the second half. SACS were camped in their own half and were holding on to their slender lead. Wynberg were unable to score though and it was the impressive SACS backs who put the final nail in Wynberg’s coffin.

Jacobs chipped ahead and gathered himself. He linked with Adam Norman who ran in to score. SACS created another two great opportunities soon after. Jacobs sparking an attack which saw hooker Robbie Herring tackled out in the corner and lock Digby Webb scything through only for a pass to be deemed forward.

It was two of SACS’s stalwarts though who finished off proceeding. Rodney Mthi and Dean Holland, who have anchored the SACS back-three for the last two years, combining well on the blindside to see Holland score in the corner that he virtually made his own during the 2006 season.

The score sealed an impressive but hard earned win for SACS who beat both Wynberg and Rondebosch twice in what has been another very good season. Credit must go to coach Rian van der Westhuizen who for the second year running had made SACS, and particularly their backs, more than competitive in the very tough local league.

Scorers

For SA College High School
Tries: Aaron Jacob’s 2, Chad Moolman, Dean Holland, Adam Norman
Cons: Moolman 2
Pens: Moolman 3

For Wynberg Boy’s High School
Tries: Christo Terblanche, Stephen Heumer, Morne Smith
Con: Tyronne Bloor 2
Pen: Bloor