SACS get past Tygerberg
The South African College High School (SACS) produced a workmanlike performance in dealing with the threat posed by an exciting Tygerberg High School side. SACS led 12-3 at half-time before finally winning 27-6 on a cold winter’s morning in Newlands.
Despite turning the ball over far too often SACS started well and produced some fine play which should have led to an early try for lock, and man of the match, Adam de Carvalho. De Carvalho was held up over the line but sloppy passing from SACS then allowed Tygerberg to relieve the pressure and go 3-nil up again the run of play.
SACS took the lead when wing Suwi Chibale finished off a good counter-attack with a try. SACS continued to exert pressure and were rewarded soon after with a try by centre Richard Rodgers, which was converted by flyhalf Chris Smith.
Tygerberg came back strongly towards the end of the half and then continued to hold the ascendancy for the majority of the second half. Tygerberg held sway in the scrums thanks to the efforts of their Craven Week loosehead Morné Notjie but instead chose to play a fast paced game. They took many quick line-outs and tapped penalties and spread the ball well in difficult conditions. Much of the attacking play was from well within their half and was relatively easily defended by SACS. A tendency to chip kick to much ball away when they got into good attacking positions allowed SACS to relieve the pressure. Chris Smith was particularly good in this aspect of play and regularly kicked SACS into good positions from where Tygerberg were force to try and attack from deep.
Tygerberg flyhalf Deno van Rensburg added a second penalty midway through the second half which was immediately nullified by a drop-goal from Smith. SACS finished strongly with a try for flank Miles Hoogwerf and another for replacement lock Fabio Brogneri, who showed great strength to beat the cover and crash over in the corner.
Tygerberg are back in the Southern Suburbs next week to play Primrose Rugby Club while SACS are again at home to close neighbours and rivals Rondebosch Boys' High School. This should be a titanic battle against two evenly-matched teams. Kick-off is at 12.10.
The scorers:
For SACS:
Tries: Suwi Chibale, Richard Rodgers, Miles Hoogwerf, Fabio Brogneri
Cons: Chris Smith 2
DG: Smith
Tygerberg:
Pens: Deno van Rensburg 2