Waterkloof hosted Middelburg HTS in a round 1 match of the NWU Skolereeks, and despite a brutal onslaught by Middelburg HTS in the first half, Waterkloof took control in the second half to win 40-09 in a match where early-season jitters and the lack of match fitness were evident.
The hand of FNB UP-Tuks coach Cobus van Dyk is clear to see in the “new” Waterkloof 1stXV. Dismissed as a Top10 candidate for 2026, Waterkloof’s pack of forwards refused to be bullied by the bigger pack of HTSM and at the end of the match dominated with their aggressive running. Their halfback pairing understands the old saying of “you must earn the right to go wide”, and if they did go wide, their backline showed pace and individual brilliance that can tear any defence to pieces.
HTSM, on the other hand, has a massive pack of forwards but does not know what to do if their forwards do not dominate the game. However, match fitness will increase over the next few weeks, which will make them extremely dangerous at the end of the season. The Rooi Bulle will improve, and hopefully they can learn to control their aggression, and then ......
HTSM converted two penalties, to the one converted by Waterkloof, to lead 06-03 after twelve minutes of play in the first half.
Following an exciting first twenty-five minutes, Waterkloof converted their second penalty to level the scores 06-06. Both teams were guilty of making early-season mistakes; however, Waterkloof did “dominate” posession and territory at this stage.
With time running out in the first half, Waterkloof scored their first try of the back of a disciplined five-meter lineout maul to edge Waterkloof 11-06 into the lead, to which HTSM replied with a third penalty to cut Waterkloof’s lead to 11-09, which was the halftime score.
Waterkloof’s backline started the second half a lot sharper, and after just three minutes of play, they spread the ball wide to their winger, who added Kloof’s second try of the match. Waterkloof converted to extend their lead to 18-09.
At that stage of the match, Waterkloof started to use their big boys around the fringes of mauls, and following several waves of attacks, Waterkloof added their third try of the match as their burly prop crashed over to extend Waterkloof’s lead to 23-09.
With twenty minutes of play in the second half, HTSM could not control a kick, and the fullback of Waterkloof pounced on the bouncing ball to score the fourth try to extend their lead to 30-09.
With five minutes still to play, Waterkloof cut the defence of Middelburg in two to score an exciting try, extending their lead to 37-09.
With time up on the clock, Waterkloof converted a penalty to secure a well-deserved 40-09 win against a willing HTSM.