View the 1st XV vs SACS photos on Flickr: Album III || Album II || Album I
Monday 29 August 2022: The report on WBHS 1st XV vs SACS, as published in the Cape Argus – re-published, with permission of and credit to, Mogamat Goosain Abrahams.
Wynberg ended the season on a high note with a narrow 16 – 5 win over the home team, SACS in a typical end-of-the-season encounter.
The game failed to reach great heights but was interesting throughout, with Wynberg only putting the issue beyond doubt with a try in injury time.
SACS entered the fray buoyed by their win over Bishops last week and it was evident from the kickoff. Scrumhalf Akha Mjawule tested the Wynberg defence with some probing runs and initiated the opening try in the tenth minute when he stole around the blindside to send fullback Ayabule Muchuli across for the opening try. Stung by this reversal Wynberg reverted to their forwards who kept things tight and established territorial advantage through their driving play. Prop Matthew Beckett and flanker Cayno February caught the eye in this respect.
Wynberg equalised in the fifteenth minute when from quick second phase ball fly half Eli Mentz used the skip pass effectively to give wing Xolela Hoyi ample space to cross in the corner for an unconcerned try. Thereafter followed a period confined mostly to midfield with both defences on top. It was left to fullback Ryan Coetzer to break the deadlock for Wynberg with a straightforward 30-metre penalty to put them 8 – 5 ahead, which was also the halftime score.
The second half started with SACS showing more intent. Captain and prop, Ali Osman, rallied the troops as they showed more vigour at the breakdown securing parity of possession. However, the backs were often guilty of lateral movement and were easily dealt with by the opposition defence.
Wynberg rallied with a solid passage of play with their backs seeing more of the ball. But as they did last week the SACS defence stood firm with number eight Zetio Vilandi putting in some big hits and also securing vital turnovers. Wynberg spurned the opportunity to go for goal from a 5metre penalty under the posts opting for a tap and go which came to naught. Unable to make any headway and with the clock ticking away Wynberg finally opted for a goal from another straightforward penalty. Coetzer was on target to make it 11 – 5.
SACS, sensing they were one score away from victory, threw everything into attack but handling errors proved costly.
In a last-gasp move, Wynberg sealed the game after a series of attacks with scrum-half Sange Mbuto prominent, and it was left to big eighth man, Isaiah Louw, to crash his way over the white line in the last move of the day to seal the match for the visitors.
