What a match! Two wonderful schools with rich rugby histories combined to produce a point per minute attacking rugby showpiece, which saw Grey College holding out for the win 36-34 by stopping a couple of threatening late attacks by their hosts Maritzburg College on the legendary Goldstones field.
In spite of having a good ball-in-hand start, Grey conceded the first kickable penalty, a 55m effort which College’s left-footed pivot van Blerk pushed left in the 2nd min. A couple of minutes after that the home team struck the first blow. The build-up to the field position was worth noting as it involved Bowman (9), Mpanza (13) and Glover (8) combining brilliantly to almost get College over for a try, following a Grey exit that did not make the safety of touch. Grey were saved by an outstanding cover tackle but conceded a penalty in the defensive process. College set a lineout on the left a few metres out from the Grey line and when their best attempt at a trademark rolling maul failed to make inroads, the ball was spun out wide to Frackers (12), who initially drifted sideways, unsettling the defensive nominating in midfield, before picking his line and dissecting two markers, on his way to tryline. Van Blerk converted to make it 7-0 after just 4min.
Grey whose season including this match has been marred by a non-ending series of injuries, particularly to key players, testing their depth in ways that few other top rugby schools have ever have to endure, replied swiftly after College made a mistake at the restart. Decisive passing and running as well as quick ball recycling were the chief ingredients that led to an overlap on the right. Flank Schoones needed no second invitation to finish off a very clinical passage, with praises also having to go the way of the quick arriving forwards as well as backs Agenbag (13) and de Beer (15). Vieira (10) missed the conversion leaving College up 7-5 after 6min.
Three minutes later Grey hit the front when Vieira succeeded with a penalty given for offsides. Shortly thereafter the chance to grow the 8-7 lead was missed when the kicker failed with a 40m effort after a hands in the ruck penalty was awarded.
College had a slight ascendency in the scrums and on 18min this pressure counted for 3-points when van Blerk nailed one from close range to put his team 10-8 ahead.
In the 21st minute, more of Grey’s continuity at speed re-established them as leaders on the scoreboard. It started with a long cut-out pass near halfway which had “intercept me” written all over it but once it cleared the dangerzone, it turned out to be an accurate beaut that set Snyman (12) on his way. He found support from Agenbag and eye-catching wing van der Walt (14) who’s pace and power got him to deep within the redzone. Talented young Grey scrummie Kruger didn’t enjoy his best day at the base during this match but his hesitation at the ruck this time was smartly consolidated by good ball-carrying prop Beukes and then a little further away from the next breakdown, it was hooker Rust who able to barge through and score near the sticks. Vieira slotted the kick, making it 15-10 to Grey.
On 27min, College played their way into a territorial position inside the Grey 22m area. Here they applied good defensive pressure and aided by a complete breakdown in communication by the Blue team, flashy centre Mpanza pounced on a misdirected pass and ran in to score a soft try under the posts. Van Blerk’s extras made it 17-15.
This lead lasted all of two minutes as Grey again resorted to execution at pace to unsettle their opponents’ defence. A couple of quick tap penalties in the College redzone, saw several Grey backs tucking the ball under their arms and having snipes near the line. Eventually the ball went to useful broad-shouldered ball-carrier Rossouw (4), whose upperbody strength and leg drive proved to be too strong to contain. He crashed over and Vieira made no mistake to account for the sixth and final lead change of the match, at 22-17 to Grey.
The confidence gained from a big win against PBHS a week early was evident in College’s play. There was meaning, commitment and good variation from the boys, particularly those wearing the famous Red, Black, White for the last time as schoolboy rugby players. In the lead up to the halftime break, College created several opportunities to score. It began with a determined Kriel (15) expertly gathering a short kickoff. From here College pressed and almost got over via a rolling maul. Then the likes of Bowman and Swanepoel (2) featured as Munangi (11) and Frackers both had charges towards the line as part of different plays, one producing an excellent tackle by Grey’s fullback de Beer. In fact Grey’s defence against the driving maul deserved much praise.
After halftime Grey came out firing with an upped tempo. However as far as turning possession into points were concerned, it didn’t happen immediately for the visitors as they left some on the field. On 42min super slick handling after a scrum, set Grey’s van der Walt away on another impressive run into the College 22. Grey then missed another penalty. A short while later an Agenbag linebreak was the catalyst for what looked like a try, only for replacement Theron (18) to fail to catch a try assisting pass with the line beckoning.
In the 44th minute, Grey withstood a turnover challenge at an attacking ruck to recycle slow ball. Good attacks of the advantage line by Vieira and centre sub Wessels before active de Beer came up with the vital linebreak, proved to be too much for the College resistance. Impact player Theron ran the support line and made up for his early error by finishing a good team try in style in the vicinity of the uprights. No problems for Vieira as the lead increased to 29-17.
One of the features of the game was the number of charged down kicks. College’s conceded their third one on 48min, after that man again – de Beer had spotted space on the far side of his opponents’ 22m and launched a well-placed diagonal kick in behind the College defence. A retreating Kriel collected the ball but the trajectory on his exit was too low and ricocheted back off a navy blue jersey towards his own tryline. Here van der Walt was first to arrive and score a well-deserved try for his efforts on the day. Vieira converted this fifth and final Grey try for a personal tally of 11 points.
At 36-17, Grey was well in command and it looked like game over with over 20 minutes still to play. College would however pass the character test to follow with flying colours. Grey on the other hand, seemed to take their foot off the pedal.
In the absence of injured flank Muil, lock Immelman stepped up to the plate and proved to be a great source of lineout ball for the home team. But just when things appeared to be going well at lineout time, College let themselves down badly when they gave up possession in quick succession at two redzone setpieces, setup from penalties won and kicked into touch.
With 13min left to play, College struck back. Bowman’s well positioned box kicks were proving difficult to manage at the back. When one was allowed to bounce, College, not for the first or last time re-gathered it and launched an offensive that incorporated a good long pass by into midfield by van Blerk that allowed dancing feet centre Mpanza to do what he does best, namely use his footwork to get by defenders. He beat two on the inside as he made the difficult look easy on his way to scoring a gem of a try, reducing it to 36-22.
With 7min left, another successful tactical kick, coupled with a two penalties had College attacking the Grey line via rolling mauls. Grey successfully repelled the first drive. College managed to suck them into the second one, freeing up room for Glover to break through and score near left-hand corner. The unconverted try made it 36-27.
From the kickoff, the Grey pack ran into the lifted College ball-receiver for a second time in a row. The penalty awarded however did not find touch. Grey had opportunity to relieve the danger but Vieira’s clearance was charged down, gathered by Mpanza, who must surely have become the first ever KZN player to score a hat trick against SA’s best rugby school of the modern era. Van Blerk added two and with 4min to play the once healthy lead had been trimmed down to 36-34, as College had piled on 17 points in just 9min.
It wasn’t quite over yet. Inspired by a turnover from their hardworking captain Thunder (6), College again resorted to kicks over the top via Bowman and then van Blerk to challenge Grey’s uncomfortable looking defensive structures. College regained possession and had the numbers committed to a momentous drive towards the tryline, which along with their now very boisterous schoolboy supporters all on their feet right there and urging their team on, looked like they were about to rewrite the history books. At the critical moment and just centimetres from the line, it was time for Grey’s character to shine as they once again stopped what had proved to be one of College’s best attacking weapons this season – the driving maul. Not only that Grey won a vital penalty in the process.
With time up signalled by the ref, College had one last chance to attack with ball in hand and deserved praise for their composure as they worked together to create something. The self-control paid off as a chance came in the form of a Guma (14) defensive line breach. Once the wing crossed halfway he looked inside for support runners, not realising that his fellow wing Munangi had a bit of space on the outside. This gave Grey the opportunity to close out the game.
The entertaining match with the nail-biting finish proved to be a great advert for rugby and as expected from the two highly respected schools, it was played in the right spirit of sportsmanship.
@BOG: Yes..last I heard they have roll-call at the medi-clinic in the morning…
The Cherries have had a hot and cold season. Obviously also affected by the many injuries
@BoishaaiPa: Sorry I retract my first sentence, I was being facetious…
@BoishaaiPa: won the Cherries? OR beat the Cherries? Yes, they must be pretty good. Sean Erasmus doing good things in Paarl there…
@Grasshopper: Now just imagine how superhot Boishaai Seccies must be..they won the Cherries 31-26 in Bloem nogal!
@Grasshopper: FYI – there were no “early” match endings to reduce the margin of loss like some schools seem to go for. Full playing time in all games as per agreed schedules.
@Rugger fan: Well I can see a few 100’s on the board for Glenwood this weekend, it’s going to get ugly! A bit like PBHS vs Affies a couple of weeks ago. Bloem seem to start with a 25 point margin at home…
The Cherries were awesome – backline passing was sublime.
i don’t want to sound like a biased OB – but the College 2nds never laid down and took the game to Grey constantly – but Grey just kept on running at them. And the amazing tackles and hard running of College was no match to the entire cherries backline. College 2nds did not embarrass themselves and that score does not show how good College actually were – they were just blown away by an awesome performance by the Cherries.
@Rugger fan: Great result for the 6th side, they must have been stoked! A team looks a little bleak. The Cherries must be super hot to win by that huge margin. I fear for the Glenwood 2nd’s this weekend…
Full results (including Table Tennis, Squash, cycling etc. ) at:
http://www.maritzburgcollege.org.za/sport/sport-fix-results/results/291-results-vs-grey-college-7th-and-8th-august-2015
Overview:
Played : 23
College won: 4
Grey won: 19
@Thumper: I call it Donga-country…
@Grasshopper: All boils down to the same thing, hillbilly country.
@BOG: Another funny one – from Saturday nogal
In the 8th team game a Grey player was yellow carded for a bit of handbag stuff on his opposite number.
His response as quoted by my son who was on the field at the time : ” maar ref, die ou het op my eiers gestaan”
@Grasshopper: I dont think any visiting team, anywhere, is ever the favourite- period. I have seen that on many occasions, only this year alone- the Cape, EL, KZN, Pretoria, and I believe , Nelspruit too. Bloem is certainly no exception
They need to build the depth for SANIX next year….
@Bwana: Yes, from Queenstown on the trip up from PE. Actually more, there were 8 spare seats…
@McCulleys Workshop: Oh yes I forgot, our 5th team tight-head made Academy…
The Glenwood 1st XV has already arrived in Bloemfontein. Maybe they have recruited a new prop just for the Grey game?
@Grasshopper: That shouldn’t be a problem, about 8 of your front row players made CW and AW.
I don’t think any side visiting Bloem are ever favourites. Glenwood have had an erratic season so far, from sublime to poor at times. It depends on what version arrives in Bloem. Glenwood will be without Chris Klopper. All I can ask is they give their best…
@Speartackle: If it was a linear world. It’s not. Westville beat Glenwood, College beat Westville twice. Westville beat Kearsney, Kearsney beat College.
And beating GCB in Bloem is a different challenge. The odds starting stacking when you hit Bethlehem and just get longer and higher. I trust the Glenwood tennis players will be rushed from the bus straight to the tennis court, the hockey players that have to run out on Friday night will be given a nono-second to warm up … ??
@Gungets Tuft: Gosh….59-12???
Surely then Glenwood will be strong favourites against GCB
Well, all I can say is that Grey came through again – and no excuses afterwards. Unlike some schools I know.
Glad to see both schools played to win – unlike a boy(s) school in Pretoria who, according to their supporters, only plays to … I don’t know, really. They did not say.
@Speartackle: You live a very sheltered life.
And it’s Maritzburg College, not Pietermaritzburg …
http://schoolboyrugby.co.za/?p=11133
@Andre T: haahhaha
@Grasshopper: I don’t agree with you. There have been many talented players, particularly the back line “now you see me now you don’t” variety, that have torn school boy rugby apart, only to not feature at provincial level. It’s a different game, where time and space doesn’t really exist as it does at school boy level. Look at your friend Handre, a case in point. All of a sudden kicks charged down and a fraction of the time to make a decision and execute. School stars in most instances don’t equal national stars.
Has Glenwood played Pietermaritzburg College yet….and if so……what was the score?
@BOG:
No fuse, just a detonator.
@Andre T: Moenie koop nie en hou jou bek toe- so eenvoudig as dit.En gebed. Here is perhaps an irrelevant story, which I read about in “SA Rugby Stories”, an old book about humour behind the scenes- but I suppose, more relevant than Hoppers sisters school record. Vic de Klerk,(brother of Kevin) played hooker for Tvl between 1977-1980. He was a rather fiery character, known for his “robust” play. Pa Pelser was the coach and he had the habit of walking through the change room after the players had run onto the field. As he closed the door and walked out of the tunnel to go and watch the game, Vic de Klerk came running off the field. And now, Pa asked? “Die fokken ref het my afgestuur” Maar vir wat, Pa asked? “Omdat ek n ou geslaan het” came the reply. “Maar hoe nou so, Pa asked angrily. “Maar Pa, wat moes ek doen? Die man soek al die hele game kak met my” The best part of 2 minutes, I suppose.
@Thumper: Wrong, Scumbilo Hoerskool or Landbou skool Durban Harbour!
@Grasshopper: I see one of my relatives Keith” the judge” McCall is one of your Rhodes scholars. (Oh no I have fallen into the grassy trap :lol:) Actually I must thank you as I have learnt something new and will have to show a bit more respect for the ” oom”.
I still cannot believe the chess result against Westville. There must have been something in the water that day.
@Andre T: Breek die glase…moenie hulle ophang nie…
@Grasshopper: And I heard they changing GW to Umbilo Hoerskool!
@BOG: Wat was jou geheim om so op te droog? Ek sukkel om die glase op te hang
Suddenly I can’t wait for the match report from GCB and Glenwood next week. We can give ou Grassy his head, and it’ll all be vaguely on topic. We can then take that giant leap from rugby to Rhodes scholar without it looking odd.
@Grasshopper: Indeed you did, with a little detour via your good sisters vibrant health. Perhaps young Kelton and your sister should consider a breeding program, the genetics would be astonishing.
Well, I have never skipped a piss since birth, and a piss-up between the ages of about 17 to 50 years.
2007 was the latest Rhodes scholar, https://www.linkedin.com/pub/kameel-premhid/1a/138/a
Glenwood Rhodes Scholars;
E. Osborn – 1952
K.R McCall – 1958
F. Fincham – 1977
D.R Lee – 1993
M. Wesson – 1994
A. Coutsoudis – 1998
A. Sienaert – 1998
…..I believe there have been more since. Also Smuts and Elsie Ballot Scholars. Glenwood is obviously not academic focused at all…
@Bwana: It also takes brain power to be successful in chess; http://www.glenwoodhighschool.co.za/chess-vs-westville-and-new-forest
@Bwana: At Glenwood academics is first and foremost. http://www.glenwoodhighschool.co.za/amesa-mathematics-winners
http://www.glenwoodhighschool.co.za/academic-excellence-celebrated
I think you need to stop assuming (makes an ass out of you and me) and get the facts first.
@Grasshopper: Both College and Westville’s main focus is the education of the boys enrolled at the school, not sports performance. Sports performance is a secondary focus and seen as an extension of the classroom
@Bwana: Hopefully soon as with the Westville and Maritzburg Sports Academies. I hear Glenwood are off to Sanix again next year…
@Bwana: Did I not say well done young Thunder? Case closed…
Has anyone else heard that the Glenwood 1st XV travelled straight from the Windy City to Bloem to acclimatise for a week ahead of their clash with Grey? If this is true I wonder when the name change from Glenwood High School to Glenwood Sports Academy will be made official?
It would seem not as you always have to give some anecdote about the Hopper family. Messrs Tuft and Rugger-fan were congratulating him on his fine effort not your sister so why bring her into the conversation?
Congrats to Thunder who wore his heart on the sleeve of the College 1st XV jersey this year and led his team with aplomb. A credit to my Alma Mater
@Bwana: Yes, I am aware of that Bwana….
For the last 39 years I have never skipped a day without having a few toots
@Grasshopper: its not always about you Hopper
@BoishaaiPa: My sister did something similar, she never missed a day of school in 12 years! Not quite the same but similar. Well done young Thunder!
@Gungets Tuft: Jeepers..that must be some kind of record…I cant recall any boy I have ever known not sit out a match here or there because of injury or something else….How many Schools can also boast with a team leader with the name …Captain Thunder!…Well done to the young man and I wish him all the best for his future…Maybe a cameo in one of the Avengers series?…lol
@Gungets Tuft: Was also great to see both schools moving to the centre of the pitch for their individual “shouts” after the match.
Great to see the entire rugby field fulled with boys from both schools giving their war-cries afterwards.
Very moving stuff from the College 1st XI captain after their hockey win too.
Just as a bye-the-way, BoishaaiPa’s favourite captain, Kelton Thunder, played his 101’st match for the Red, Black and White on Saturday. He’s not missed a match since he started at College in Grade 8. That’s got to be some record for a loose forward that never shied away from the rough stuff and is not the biggest boy around either.
The whole College side was “small” this year, but generally punched their weight. They will forever wonder where the two that got away went to, but such is life.
It was an exceptionally emotional day for them, all the matrics, on Saturday, and in all sports. Not too many dry eyes among the boys and the parents when they realised that it was their last run on those fields.
@BOG: It has just been resumed and should never have been stopped in the first place.
@Rugger fan: Sorry, Im a little isolated from the news. Any reason why the derby would not continue next year? After all, it has only just been resumed.
@Redblack White: Yep, look at Kwagga’s Gelant, Duhan Van der Merwe and Human, set the school fields ablaze…heard nothing really of them since. Lost in the Bulls malaise of buying in too much talent and coaching the individual skill out of them. All three of them would have done better at WP or Cheetahs…
@BOG: Agreed, the Blue of the Bulls seems to stifle the passion out of players, bar Jesse Kriel maybe. If our number 1 in tennis plays then we should at least win one game in the tennis.
@Bush: Agreed. On the matter of the aunty, I am sure that was an isolated event, perhaps in a moment of panic when it appeared that the tide was shifting. From my experiences throughout the day at various fields, I can only talk of well mannered and pleasant interchanges with the Grey folks. Dignified in the one or two defeats I was close to, and even more so in some of the resounding victories.
I guess it comes down to the same old story in that we are often distracted by the few unsavory incidents and too quickly forget the majority of the good stuff.
@Grasshopper: @BOG: I still believe that none of the players at that level play the way they did at school – not of their own design but by the coaches’
@Rugger fan: The chances of there being a return fixture in Bloemfontein next year are greater than there not being one.
@Grasshopper: Interestingly the lower teams seemed to have the easier of it over the weekend. To me it seemed that they tended to catch up (eventually) with the pace and sharpness of the backline plays, and once that happened the floodgates became a trickle rather. Unfortunately at the A side levels it was just relentless and whilst the sharpness and speed was initially in check, as the games wore on it became easier for the Grey guys.
was an awesome advert for SBR. With players and teams like that on display on Saturday – there is a lot of hope for the future of rugger in SA. Now if we can only convert that passion and flair into senior players.
Well done Grey – no whinges about the ref, the weather, the bounce of the ball. It was a great game that could have one either way. Well done to 30+ guys who can look back at a stunning advert for the game – and put a lot of hope into those that love the game. Trust the road back was safe for all the Grey players and supporters. Perhaps we’ll see you again next year [???? We did hear lots of rumours around the fields that this was the last fixture for a while ????? Time will tell]
Great to see you there beet – sorry I didn’t get to speak longer – and sorry to miss Pinotage
@Grasshopper: Too many of them have gone to the green and gold, via the blue of the Bulls. Unfortunately, the crap which was on display on Saturday, even exceeds that which is imprinted at Loftus. Watch the Tennis too. Apart from the number one seeded seniors, the U 15s have just won a national tournament at Affies, by beating Paul Roos in the finals.
Morning, flip what a game. College were unbelievable. Someone involved with MNet should have hijacked the system and played the College vs Grey game over the SA game. That number 13 for College had a fantastic game, tackle like a demon and ran like one possessed. Whoever that Auntie was shouting stupid things during that match, needs to see the Sangoma. Well Done College, its always lekker going to College to watch rugby.
@Redblack White: Well most of the guys in the Green & Gold came from the Navy and Gold, what happened since they left? Playing against Grey is a privilege, they certainly do set the bar very high across all the teams. I’m sure the Glenwood A teams are looking forward to the clash but the lower teams will just be wanting to not let them get to triple figures!
Great write-up – thanks Beet. Was a thrilling encounter indeed.
We were treated to a great display of proper running rugby throughout the day, albeit that we were on the receiving end in most cases. I cannot talk enough about the speed and precision at which every Grey team execute their back line moves – simply sublime to watch.
There are those on this blog who question the value of these fixtures against the all time greats who invariably thump us across the board – apart from the much maligned traditional response of getting games for all teams against genuinely respected rivals, I want to add that there is a bit of a take-away from these games – that of being able to witness your opponents run at you in such an organised manner and everything at speed. That sticks in the mind and makes you think about your own game. Whether or not it will suddenly make a marked difference is debatable, but if the coaching powers can take the same pointers away and try and integrate that into coaching structures I do believe there will be value. Either way, still a pleasure to be playing against GCB and well done to them. Also to their boys who were an absolute pleasure to host.
It was somewhat bitter sweet after the game on Saturday, which was totally free and gratis, to then see a crowd at the tank, who had paid good money, being entertained(??
) to a load of drivel, at best.
Perhaps the green and gold coaches should come and learn some tricks from the navy and gold
Mpanza was brilliant on the day and all season has shown that despite not bein a 6′ 95kg plus centre, foot skills and running with the ball in two hands creates massive opportunities. This lad can really be elusive and put other players into space, I hope we are going to see more of him in the future. Well done to Grey, they held out one of the best late attacks I have seen in ages.