MATCH REPORT: PRETORIA BOYS’ HIGH vs AFRIKAANSE HOËR SEUNSKOOL

Aug 9 • General News, School • 3053 Views • Comments Off on MATCH REPORT: PRETORIA BOYS’ HIGH vs AFRIKAANSE HOËR SEUNSKOOL

The annual rugby match between rival schools Pretoria Boys High and the Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies) generates more interest than most Currie Cup matches across the road at Loftus Versfeld, and yesterday’s encounter at Brooks Field was no different.
Affies secured bragging rights by 56 points to 3 in this, the 123rd clash between these schools. It was clear from the start that the well-drilled Wit Bulle would hold all the guns in this clash, despite playing without four players who are currently on national duty for the SA Schools’side.
The visitors surged onto the attack from the kick-off and beautiful linking play between forwards and backs saw the ball being spun wide for fullback Pieter Coetser to cross for the opener. This try sparked the well-known chant from the stands: “Boys’High … die boere is hier, die boere is hier”.

Fly half Ruan de Swardt’s successful penalty soon stretched the lead to eight points, and it was evident that the Candies were in for a tough afternoon.
The pattern continued throughout the first half with further tries from lock Henk Pretorius, centre Henco Jordaan and two from ever-present flanker Regardt du Plessis. The only response from the home team in this half was a solitary penalty kick from fly half Kyle Pratt. Affies ran the spirited home side ragged and dominated all phases of play to hold a 32-3 half-time lead.
The Candies, however, refused to surrender and for large parts of the second half dominated possession as the visitors seemed to take the foot off the pedal. Affies are a proud outfit however and the best efforts from the home team were thwarted by solid defence.
Poor tactical kicking by Boys’High was punished by Affies’ left wing Christiaan Strydom who gathered and weaved his way over from 40 metres out. This seemed to be the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back, and Affies ran in a further three tries from scrum half Divan Henning, right wing Carel Koch and prop Jano Espag. The latter came from an intercept which saw the loose head gallop away to the posts, much to the delight of his team mates.
Credit needs to go, however, to the home side. Captain Reenen Buys-Du Plessis and his charges once again displayed that never-say-die attitude that is so typical of all Boys’ High teams. Unfortunately their best efforts were never going to be enough to derail the Affies’ juggernaut.

It is always difficult to single out players in such a dominant display. Affies’ number eight and captain Eduan Lubbe produced a storming performance, and he was ably supported by lock Henk Pretorius and flanker Regardt du Plessis. Left wing Strydom has come along in leaps and bounds this season and is definitely one for the future.
Points:
Tries to Affies by Pieter Coetser, Christiaan Strydom, Henk Pretorius, Henco Jordaan, Regardt du Plessis (2), Carel Koch, Divan Henning and Jano Espag. Ruan de Swardt succeeded with four coversions and a penalty.

Kyle Pratt added his team’s only points through a penalty.

Article and photo by William Brown / Rugby 15