Grey College became the first South African team to beat Paarl Boys’ High since 2014 when they won 34-20 in Paarl on Saturday. DYLAN JACK reports.
Boishaai came into the match on a 59-game winning streak against South African teams, although they had lost to Christchurch Boys’ during a 2017 tour of New Zealand and to the Jaguares at the recent World Schools Festival.
Grey College, who are unbeaten this season, recovered from a shaky start to dominate the match and run away with an emphatic victory.
The home side started well when flyhalf Kian Meadon collected his chip kick in the dead-ball area and converted his own try.
Grey College hit straight back, though, as flank De Wet Marais claimed possession from the kick-off and drove over in the corner. Flyhalf Zander du Plessis added the extras from the touchline.
After an intense period in which both sides made linebreaks but could not finish off their opportunities, Boishaai got back into the lead with a penalty from Meadon.
The visitors again hit back almost immediately as fullback Richard Kriel spread the ball wide to wing Lesley Botha, who simply had too much pace and sprinted into the corner.
Grey then got their third try when, after a strong carry from centre Wyclef Vlitoor, Du Plessis shifted the ball to No 8 WJ Steenkamp, who jogged in. Du Plessis added the conversion to give his team a 19-10 lead at half-time.
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The visitors made a brilliant start to the second half when, after a number of strong carries, Du Plessis stepped inside and left three defenders for dead. He scored next to the uprights and converted his own try.
Boishaai responded well as replacement scrumhalf Wian van der Sandt took a quick tap penalty from 5m out and powered over the line.
That gave the hosts a boost as they saw more of the ball, with Grey College’s discipline letting them down. Meadon made sure to punish the visitors when he kicked his second penalty.
After Du Plessis missed what looked like what may be a crucial penalty, the visitors were made to work hard defensively but they managed to hold out.
Grey College then worked their way upfield through their forwards, with replacement back MJ Odendaal eventually going over after running a brilliant line onto a flat pass.
Du Plessis kicked a penalty after time had elapsed to complete a famous victory.
Paarl Boys’ High – Tries: Kian Meadon, Wian van der Sandt. Conversions: Meadon (2). Penalty: Meadon.
Grey College – Tries: De Wet Marais, Lesley Botha, WJ Steenkamp, Zander du Plessis, MJ Odendaal. Conversions: Du Plessis (3). Penalty: Du Plessis.
Photo: Deborah Redelinghuys
