False Bay plays it cool in epic clash against UCT

Jon Harris

On a winter’s day awash with sunshine, a large crowd turned out in their numbers to soak up the ambiance of one of the highlights of the southern suburbs chapter of SLA2025, as Motorvaps False Bay hosted the current Varsity Cup Champions, the Ikey Tigers. The teams tracked each other on the scoreboard throughout the contest, a mere 7 points separating them at the final whistle. The hosts were 36-29 victors after trailing 14-19 at half-time.

On club days such as these, the entire programme is the attraction as both clubs spread their feathers like proud peacocks, their pride for all to see. The home side delivered an eighty percent win ratio, the all-important under-20 clash the only result in favour of the visitors.

False Bay have hit their straps in recent fixtures, beating UniMil and DurBell away in the final stages of tough encounters. UCT is in the throes of navigating a tough schedule of two matches per week to catch up after their mid-year shutdown.

 As the teams took to the pitch, the size advantage of their pack over that of their hosts was noticeable. The SLA is where the younger, more nimble students come up against streetwise, older opponents, especially up front, and need to out-maneuver their opponents with guile and pace. The tables were turned to a degree, as the massive Ikeys pack took to the field. With the towering, powerhouse lock and captain Mika Schubert at the vanguard, the Tigers attacked from the outset.

 As was to be the pattern of the contest, UCT was repelled by resolute Bay defence, inching their way back into Ikey territory, only to find themselves defending their quarter again. The Tigers broke free through a try of simplistic efficiency by right wing Jack Benardo struck with the first of his brace of tries. He latched onto a clever cross chip by flyhalf Alex Vermeulen, who then converted to goal the score.

Stung but not panicked, the young Constantia guns executed their structures efficiently. Their pack, using the first two scrums as rangefinders, settled down to play their role in an enthralling facet of this absorbing contest. Tighthead Bornwell Gwinji, hooker Kamva Mgwali and loosehead Ethen Wasserfal stood up to the vaunted UCT front row, spoils evenly shared in this department.

 The Bay levelled the scores when eighthman Mitch Labberte crossed the line, converted by Ruan van Willing. Parity on the scoreboard and the partisan home support breathed a little easier, until Benardo left a trail of scorched earth down the right-hand touchline to grab a try at the end of a 25-metre dash. 14-7, and the confidence of the Varsity Cup champions was on display. The Tigers are renowned for their capacity to play until the very last shrill blast of the referee’s whistle brings an end to any contest.

 Referees, so often the villain of the piece, are seldom given the credit they deserve, and the man in the middle for this match, Joubert Labuschagne, contributed in no small way to the contest. His willingness to mete out the appropriate punishment for contraventions with a quiet confidence and understanding of the situation was a hallmark of his performance. In the final analysis, the two yellow cards he showed Ikeys players, both deserved without mitigation, were the windows of opportunity through which the Bay took the Mark Jordaan Trophy.

The Bay levelled the scores when the seemingly omnipresent Jacques Goosen stepped inside to score, goaled by van Willing. With half-time approaching, UCT broke the duck with a try by Isaiah Louw, giving his team first-half spoils.

A breathtaking half, in warm sunshine, lapped up by a festive crowd, eagerly anticipating the second half. False Bay snatched the lead soon after the restart, flyhalf van Willing dancing his way over the line. The conversion of his own try gave his team the lead for the first time, short-lived however, as the opposition reclaimed the batten with a Vermeulen penalty kick.

It was to be the last time they held the lead. van Willing was now operating at scrumhalf after Matthew Damonze left the field with a lame leg. The starting number nine was again polished and poised during his time behind the scrum, his languid style a foil to his true all-round quality. Van Willing sniped around the edge, opening a chasm for replacement number ten, Ewan Adams, returning after a lengthy injury break, to glide through and score under the crossbar.

Moments later, van Willing scored his second try, which he goaled, to give the Bay a 33-22 lead, never enough against the Ikeys. 

With Bay skipper Shayne Ordersen leading a merry band of rampaging warriors, including eager substitutes, the hosts flooded all facets of play, escape for the Tigers was always going to be tough. They tried and centre Rethabile Louw sliced through to score under the poles, Vermeulen adding the extra two points.  UCT were four points behind their hosts, a sizeable gap with barely minutes to go, and a super confident Bay in their face. van Willing increased his team’s lead to seven points with a penalty conversion, the safety of a draw guaranteed. 

Snatching victory from the jaws of defeat is a UCT hallmark and the teeth were closing in. Best case scenario by now was a draw, but referee Labuschagne called time on a tense and entertaining contest with UCT on the attack in the Bay half.

False Bay’s win sets up a titanic battle taking place at the Stephen Grounds in Sea Point. The Bay travel to face Hamilton, one of the outstanding teams in the SLA, which has uncharacteristically lost its last two matches. It is a simple fact that no one at the illustrious club desires a hat trick of losses. Club rugby followers are again the beneficiaries of another excellent clash on offer. Each of the respective teams occupies the top five positions on their table.

 First matches kick off at 1.25 pm. The main match starts at 4pm.

• Jon Harris is a member of False Bay RFC