Jeppe, who have a standout team this year, let go of a genuine opportunity to beat national powerhouse Affies for the first time ever. They went down 31-33 agonisingly after Affies scored a try and converted it close to the death.
It was those little moments that count for so much.
After Jeppe had grown the lead to 28-19, they faltered by trying to claim the overcooked Affies kickoff that was heading directly into touch, thus gifting the Witbulle a lineout 5m out from the white chalk. Affies obliged with a maul and try to narrow the gap to 28-26.
Then late in the second half with the score at 31-26, a high tackle in the middle of the park set up a similar scenario of a lineout near the attacking right corner. The composed Affies boys responded to the challenge and worked the ball infield where in-form no.8 Dieter Schubert powered over for the try that would set up the win.
On the day, Affies did not lose a single game. There convincing A-team wins suggested that Jeppe may have to wait a while for another opportunity like this one.
The history books from that fab website Affierugby.co.za shows:
1996: AHS won 39-3
1997: AHS won 87-0
1998: AHS won 34-16
2010: AHS won 62-0
2011: AHS won 39-20
2012: AHS won 52-3
2013: AHS won 36-18
2014: AHS won 23-11
2015: AHS won 64-26
2016: AHS won 52-32
2017: AHS won 52-22
2018: AHS won 45-41
2019: AHS won 47-28
2022: AHS won 35-17
English School Rugby will just get better and better partially due to Boerseuns attending English school since their is just 44 Afrikaans speaking people in South Africa.
Ons should not loose sight that this Jeppe team is strong, they have beaten the likes of Monnas in 2023
@Tang: Agreed.
Fabulous effort by Jeppe – very unlucky not to take the win. Players, pupils, coaches and parents should be incredibly proud of the way the first team played and dealt with a very close loss.
@Kaya 85: swimming is where we draw the line plus ours are not the best swimming facilities we try ….. but ja swimming is probably our fifth summer sport behind Cricker,Rowing,Basketball,Waterpolo and then swimming
@OUD ANKER: Yeah there is sufficient coaches to go around …. think each team has two coaches…. also Carl Spilhaus in his role as director rugby has been remarkable truly a teacher in every sense …. gives every team a dedicated program …. we may not have the depth in of athletes that Affies has but there is an adequate attempt to ensure all kids participate and get sufficient toutalge in rugby
@Ringo: How is the coaching structure at Jeppe for the lower teams and when I say lower teams I mean C-F in the age groups? I agree with Kaya, Jeppe a top notch school with great facilities. I was just wondering if the C -F teams get the same attention as the A-B teams? That is important at Affies for instance. That 0/15 F boy also gets proper attention and coaching and it shows.
@Kaya 85: Nothing wrong with Jeppe’s hockey though! They gave Affies a good hiding!
@Ringo: lol…I think Jeppe will keep improving ..the awesome thing is that Jeppe never say die spirit…and the raucous support, the school is looking very good, excellent leadership etc. Now that some of the feeder primary schools play some rugger, could be good years ahead. I wish they would punt Swimming more seriously, to match that nice pool venue too.
Since Affies started playing Jeppe and KES on a permanent basis in 2010 and 2012 it has always been hard and exiting rugby. Going over the Jukskei every year and playing these schools is definitely a highlight every year. All the respect for these two English Boys Schools. Long may these two fixtures be played. Win or Lose.
Jeppe has been unlucky the last couple of seasons with last minute losses. Wonder if there’s a mental block there
Looking at the history …. no shame in losing to Affies….. Also scores are big in these games I must say… Saturday was 64 between the two ….when the fixture restarted in 2010 it was 62 to Affies…..and our 2010 team was a good side beat PBHS and Kes that year….. long may this fixture ruin …..Affies are a good yardstick if you want see where your rugby is
…. they play winning physical rugby…..personally I think it is boring…. but man it is effective