Garsfontein got their Virseker Cup campaign off to a great start with a 52-16 home win over Waterkloof on Saturday. THEO GARRUN reports.
Waterkloof gave a good account of themselves in the initial stages of the game. The half-time score was 17-11 to Garsfontein and the sides exchanged tries shortly after the break, making it 24-16 to the hosts. The visitors looked in with a chance.
It was all Garsfontein from then on, however. They replied with a try directly from the kick-off, and added three more unanswered touchdowns to make it a comfortable victory.
The home side got the first try through fullback Zelinga Strydom, who was one of their heroes and who would end up with a hat-trick of tries. Waterkloof weathered some early pressure before flyhalf Ian Trollip slotted two penalties to put them 6-5 ahead.
Two tries in quick succession for Garsfontein – Strydom’s second and the first of a brace from winger Neil Gericke – took them out to a 17-6 lead before eighthman Armand Freidl pulled one back for Waterkloof on the stroke of half-time.
The second half saw a flurry of tries from Waterkloof. Gericke got his second to start it off, followed by hooker Manie Potgieter, then Strydom’s third and two more late in the game by centre AJ Johnson and replacement back Rowan Cloete.
Waterkloof’s sole second-half score was that early try by prop Franco Groenewald.
The game was a classic derby between close neighbours. It was the first time the schools had met since 2015 after Waterkloof had refused to honour a league fixture in 2016, claiming that Garsfontein had poached some of their players, for which Waterkloof were kicked out of the tournament.
They are now back in the Virseker competition, though, and based on Saturday’s showing they are going battle against some of the stronger sides.
Garsfontein, on the other hand, look like title contenders. They have big forwards and a talented backline, well marshalled by SA Schools scrumhalf Jurich Claasen. They have a break now ahead of the Wildeklawer Festival which begins on 2 May. They will play Diamandveldt and Glenwood there.
Waterkloof will be in action at the King Edward Easter Festival next week where they meet Hudson Park and Jeppe.
Garsfontein – Tries: Zelinga Strydom (3), Neil Gericke (2), Manie Potgieter, AJ Johnson, Rowan Cloete. Conversions: Wikus Basson (4), Jurich Caasen (2).
Waterkloof – Tries: Armand Freidl, Franco Groenewald. Penalties: Ian Trollip (2).
Photo: Theo Garrun
