Kwaggas win FNB Classic Clash

Match Report

Outeniqua won the FNB Classic Clash 29-7 on Struisiesdag, showing too much skill and speed for willing Oudtshoorn.

There was a huge crowd on this Klein Karroo afternoon, and both schools sang and enjoyed a day of fun.

It was an expected result as the Kwaggas are one of the top school sides in South Africa again this year, ranked fourth on the FNB Top 20. Although the Struisies have been having a better season they, a much smaller school than Outeniqua, have been having a better season 

There were differing approaches between the two schools. The Kwaggas looked to keep the ball in hand while the Struisies tended to put it on the boot. On one occasion when they did keep it in hand, just before the end of the first half, they scored a splendid try. In that first half the Struisies enjoyed 64% of possession and 55% of territory.

Up front Oudtshoorn did well, especially in the line-outs but kicking possession away did not help and besides it meant that their loose forwards seldom played a creative role. On the other hand Josh de Klerk, the bustling Outeniqua eighthman who was an injury doubt till just before the match, was outstanding. He, centre Karlo Aspeling and fullback Wilton Petersen were the Outeniqua strike
force.

De Klerk and Bordeaux Potgieter did much of the good work that led to the opening Outeniqua try as they moved left and then for a try by inside centre Earl Snyman who beat two defenders in a strong finish.

De Klerk was twice involved in the build-up to the second try. The move started from just outside the Outeniqua goal-line as they moved swiftly to the right and eventually set wing America Kruger on a long run for the try that made the score 12-0.

Oudtshoorn's try was a splendid, long-range affair. They attacked down the left touch-line and then came right with fullback Sammy-Joe Avontuur in the line to give Du-Kane Kannemeyer a run for the line. The wing cut strongly inside scrumhalf Mergo Laws who came racing across to cover. 

Gerhard Nortier's conversion made the score 12-7 at half-time.

The second half belonged entirely to Outeniqua despite the courage of the outgunned Struisies.

But the first try of the half had a little good fortune attached. Karlo Aspeling made the running down the left touch-line and played inside to Hubri Bruyn who ran powerfully till tackled into touch by a brilliant tackle by Lenzo Olieslager. Oudtshoorn won the subsequent line-out but disaster struck when Nortier's left-footed clearing kick was charged down by Lourens Botes. The ball spiralled back infield where flyhalf Mario du Toit snatched it up and scored a try, which Aspeling converted.

Soon afterwards Outeniqua scored another excellent try. Olieslager counterattacked but kicked. Wilton Petersen caught the ball and countered. He passed and the next thing, head up, Aspeling was racing 30 metres of more for a try which he converted from far out. 26-7.

Aspeling had another good run down the right but his pass inside to Wilton Petersen was judged forward. Aspeling did have the last word when he dropped a goal, which ended the match.

The match was televised. Often televised matches degenerate into a succession of penalties. This one was not the case as the young referee gave both teams excellent opportunities to play. The whistle was quiet, the management and communication excellent.

After the match François Pienaar, Springbok captain, presented the FNB trophy to Outeniqua.

For a preview of the match with links to profiles of each school and each captain, click here.

Scorers:

For Outeniqua:
Tries: Snyman, Kruger, Du Toit, Aspeling
Cons: Aspeling 3
Drop: Aspeling

For Oudtshoorn:
Try: Kannemeyer
Con: Nortier

Teams:

Oudtshoorn: 15 Sammy-Joe Avontuur, 14 Du-Kane Kannemeyer, 13 Leighton Bezuidenhout, 12 Waldo Lategan, 11 Lenzo Olieslager, 10 Gerhard Nortier, 9 Erinn Everts, 8 Jan-Albert de Villiers, 7 Jaco van der Westhuizen, 6 James du Toit, 5 Schoeman Laubscher (captain), 4 Ferreira Boshoff, 3 Luhan Jonck, 2 Marvin Barnard, 1 Caylib Oosthuizen.
Replacements: 16 Melton Rhodes, 17 Ray Theunissen, 18 Wessel Pretorius, 19 Ruan van Wyk, 20 Jacques Strydom, 21 Jarryd Berens, 22 Ambrose Carelse.

Coach: Bernie Deacon

Outeniqua: 15 Wilton Petersen, 14 Hubri Bruyn, 13 Karlo Aspeling, 12 Earl-Jivan Snyman, 11 America Kruger, 10 Mario du Toit, 9 Mergo Laws, 8 Josh de Klerk, 7 Bordeaux Potgieter, 6 Andrew van Zyl,, 5 Mike MacDonald, 4 Julian van Rensburg, 3 Johan van Wyk, 2 Jakkie Stander, 1 Lourens Botes (captain).
Replacements: 16 Layle Delo, 17 Leandro Bampton, 18 Lyle Bastiaan, 19 Gerhard Raal, 20 Divan van Zyl, 21 Ashworth Marais, 22 Rayvin Rademeyer

Coach: Piet Cloete

Referee: Jason Jafta (South Western Districts)