Fullback Aidynn Cupido scored a try in the final minute to lift Paul Roos to a dramatic 17-13 win over Paarl Boys’ High in their Mutual & Federal Premier Interschools clash.
Boishaai were in the ascendency from the get-go as they dominated possession and territory early on and were rewarded with a try from flank Christo Mostert. Flyhalf Stefan Gouws missed the conversion in what turned out to be a forgettable match for the place kickers. Both Paul Roos’s Reinardt Fortuin (flyhalf) and Cupido missed the opportunity to put the hosts on the scoreboard with two wayward penalty attempts.
They continued to pile on the pressure though and when the referee pinged Boishaai, Paul Roos opted to go for the line. In a brilliantly executed move, scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies dived over in the corner to level matters, with Fortuin again failing to convert. With half-time looming, Gouws had the chance to put the visitors in the lead, but booted the penalty wide and the teams headed into the break at 5-5.
After the interval, Boishaai outside centre Curtley Grain and Paul Roos’s right wing Nico Leonard both scored unconverted tries, even though Paul Roos enjoyed 62% of the possession in the second half.
With two minutes left on the clock Cupido was penalised for a deliberate knock-on and replacement flyhalf Jean-Luc Cilliers split the uprights with what looked to be the winning points for Boishaai.
There was still time for the restart and Cupido turned from villain to hero when he scored in the final play of the game. He then added the extras to hand Paul Roos victory and send Boishaai to a heartbeaking loss.
In other results, Paarl Gym edged Drostdy 13-10, Garsfontein made light of Centurion with a 64-28 drubbing, Affies pummeled Eldoraigne 44-18 and KES beat their hosts Pretoria Boys' High 19-26.
Results:
Paul Roos 17 Paarl Boys' 13
Paarl Gym 13 Drostdy 10
Garsfontein 64 Centurion 28
Affies 44 Eldoraigne 18
KES 29 Pretoria Boys' 19
Selborne 92 HTS Port Rex 0
Wynberg 21 Boland Landbou 20
Framesby 29 Die Brandwag 32
Maritzburg 25 Michaelhouse 24
Tygerberg 14 Oakdale 47
Grey PE 46 Dale 38
Brackenfell 31 SACS 26
Kearsney 33 Durban High 16
Hilton 7 Glenwood 67
St Andrew's 47 Queen's 17
Nelspruit 27 Middelburg HS 12
Photo: Carl Fourie/Gallo Images
