6 April 2024
(Article by Marlowe Bloem)
Durban High School faced off against Paarl Boys’ High in a prime 14:00 game at the Absa Wildeklawer Sports Festival in Kimberley on Saturday. DHS was fresh off an impressive 21-point victory over Oakdale Landbou, while Boishaai had gone down to Affies in their festival opener.
It was the Boland boys who scored first, however, from a lineout. Hooker Tommy Muller made a short throw to loosehead Jordan Jooste, and he quickly popped the ball back to his front row partner, who dived over in the corner. A good conversion from fullback François van der Merwe put Paarl Boys 7-0 ahead.
Throughout the first half, both sides exhibited excellent defence. Hard-hitting tackles forced knock-ons, and turnovers from loose forwards killed the opposition’s momentum. Territory and possession were shared equally.
DHS had an opportunity to get onto the scoreboard when they won a penalty at scrum time after 31 minutes, but fullback Aka Boqwana missed from 40 metres out.
However, when Boishaai were blown up in the 35th minute for illegally sealing off the ball at a ruck, flyhalf Allston Cedras nailed the 30-metre kick to pull the Horseflies to within four at the break.
Paarl could have extended their lead in the 44th minute, when the referee penalised DHS for a high tackle, but the penalty attempt was wide of the mark.
After 50 minutes, DHS struck, after building up momentum through many phases of possession. Bit by bit, they closed in on the Boishaai try line and eventually it was their big tighthead, Teddy Dlamini, who powered his way over the try line. Cedras added the extras to put School into the lead.
DHS was reduced to 14 players on the hour-mark when Okuhle Mbanjwa was sin-binned because the referee deemed Duncan Basson and company had conceded too many penalties in quick succession.
When Paarl Boy took a tap and go, they moved the ball through the phases before creating an opportunity for flyhalf Viaan Mentoor, who flew over in the left-hand corner. Cool as a cucumber, he then converted his try.
Trailing once, more, DHS won a 65th minute penalty, due to a tackler not rolling away at the breakdown. Cedras knocked over the penalty from the 22.
Victory was within sight for the Durban boys. However, with a minute to play, Paarl Boys was awarded a penalty and an opportunity to sneak a win, when a scrum went down. Jeneal Davids slotted the challenging kick from the left corner of the 22, and it ended 15-13 in favour of Paarl Boys’ High.
The DHS 1st XV will walk away from the Absa Wildeklawer Festival with their heads held high. They were convincing winners over Oakdale Landbou in their opener, and they showed, again, against Paarl Boys’ High that they can mix it up with the big boys.
Their defence remains extremely impressive. The most they have conceded in a game is 18 points, and that will ensure they’re competitive, no matter the opposition.
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