Affies too strong for Maritzburg College
The first XV of the Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool of Pretoria welcomed a few stalwarts back in their midst and managed to kick-off their third term with a handsome 40-25 victory over Maritzburg College in their annual Premier Interschools derby in Pretoria.
Captain and hooker, Johan van Zyl, was fit again after suffering a knee injury in his side’s last match against Waterkloof (15-24). Van Zyl who would’ve captained the Blue Bulls u18 side also missed out at participating at the Coca-Cola Craven Week in Johannesburg.
The home side’s outside centre, Marnus Potgieter also missed out on most of the season due to an injury. He however recovered in time to play at the Craven Week and scoring a hat-trick in the Blue Bulls final match against Border. Potgieter also scored a hat-trick against Maritzburg College (59-7) during last year’s clash.
Maritzburg College’s flyhalf, Keegan Collyer, opened the scoring in the match with a penalty. Collyer was outstanding for his side and his super tactical kicking played a major part in Maritzburg College leading at half-time.
Affies’ only try came when winger Ruan Wasserman dived over in the corner after a good offload by Marnus Potgieter in the tackle. Maritzburg College’s scrumhalf, Philani Simamane, scored the first of his two tries in the match to hand them the lead once again. His try was converted by Collyer to give the visitors a 10-5 lead at the break.
Affies made their intentions for the first half known early on when tighthead prop, James Combrinck, pounced on a loose ball and outsprinted the cover defence to score a brilliant individual try. This try which was converted by flyhalf, Regardt Roets, to give Affies a 12-10 lead.
The lead was however short-lived with Collyer slotting his second penalty to give Maritzburg College the lead for the final time in the match at 13-12.
Both Affies’ centres, Potgieter en Zach Briel, crossed the line thanks to powerful running. Potgieter scored underneath the uprights after running a superb line with the timing of the pass from Roets also being spot-on.
Captain and hooker, Johan van Zyl, scored a brace of tries rounding off a sound performance. Maritzburg College’s Simamane completed his brace just before the final whistle to bring the final score down to 40-25 in the favour of the home side.
Scorers:
Affies 40 (5) – Tries: Johan van Zyl (2), Ruan Wasserman, Marnus Potgieter, Zach Briel, James Combrinck. Conversions: Regardt Roets (5). Maritzburg College 25 (10) – Try Philani Simamane (2), Nthuthuko Mchunu. Conversion: Keegan Collyer (2). Penalty: Collyer (2).
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