Photo by Jorina Raath/Speedshots.co.za
Helpmekaar's 1stXV made a slow start to the 2020 season. They played their season opener against Voortrekker Bethlehem at Helpmekaar on a cold morning with the boys from Voortrekker not giving Helpmekaar an inch to move. Helpmekaar opened the scoring with a try but Voortrekker responded quickly with one of their own to level the score at 5-5 at halftime.
Voortrekker took the lead early in the second half with a converted try to lead 12-5. However, Helpmekaar's forwards started to take control which gave their backline more frontfoot ball which they used to run at Voortrekker. Helpmekaar scored another two tries to win 20-12 at the end.
To make any remarks on the abilities of this Helpmekaar team or players will be foolish as it was their first match of the season and no team practice was possible as their trials only ended on Wednesday. The game was also meant to be a practise match with rolling subs, and Helpmekaar was also without two players who attended SARU events.
But, take note Helpmekaar will be a force to reckon with this season, with a few surprises regarding gameplan waiting for their opponents.
Scorers:
Helpmekaar: Tries: Ryan Coetzee, Brandon Bouwer, Joshua Jooste. Conversion: Sebastine Watney. Penalty: Sebastine Watney.
Voortrekker Bethlehem: Tries: Jan du Toit, Vuyani Vanqa. Conversion: Jan du Toit.
Teams:
Helpmekaar: 15. Joshua Jooste, 14. Ruben Weideman, 13. Divan Esterhuizen, 12. Jaques Raath, 11. Ryan Coetzee, 10. Sebastine Watney, 9. Keune Kirkham, 8. Nathan Lianis, 7. Tyler Skudder, 6. Michael jonker, 5. Zack van Zyl, 4. Ruan Slabbert, 3. Stefan Liebenberg, 2. Thonga Mbatha, 1. Luke Underhay. Replacements: Ruben Marx, 17. Brandon Bouwer, 18. Reynard Boshoff, 19. Wian Naude, 20. Ethan Herselman, 21. Ruan Gerber, 22. Heinreich Fourie, 23. Joshua Smith, 24. Darius Nel.
Voortrekker Bethlehem: 15. Henro Claasen, 14. Vuyani Vanqa, 13. Dandre Aucamp, 12. Robbie Wiggett, 11. Tshepang Morake, 10. Jan du Toit, 9. Liam Roos, 8. Justin Kritzinger, 7. Thabiso Mofokeng, 6. Louis Janse v Vuuren, 5. Kobus Wiggett, 4. Willie Oosthuizen, 3. Jan-Herman Cillie, 2. Zuhardt Roux, 1. Grant Benney. Replacements: 16. Tokalo Naopane, 17. Janco Volschenk, 18. Lesego Mabola, 19. Estian Louw, 20. Wian Shannon, 21. Franco Marais, 22. Wilco Buys, 23. Victor Nel.
Other Scores (Helpmekaar First):
u/15A 05-12
u/16A 58-00