Menlopark is the current Virseker Cup champions which they won in 2019. St Johns is a private school from Johannesburg which is widely respected for the efforts on the rugby fields.
St Johns struck within the first 3 minutes of the first half when Menlopark's defence was caught napping to lead 07-00. St John's early lack of discipline gave Menlopark several opportunities to convert penalties. With 20 minutes to go St Johns lead 07-06. The ill disciple of St Johns resulted in a yellow card with 15 minutes to go in the first half.
Menlopark were patient in the attack and after setting up camp for several minutes in St Johns' red zone Menlopark scored their first try of the match to take the lead 13-7 with 11 minutes to go in the first half. Menlopark's pack of forwards gave them a quality platform to run at St John's. Two tries within 3 minutes by Menlopark gave them a comfortable lead of 23-7.
Menlopark's pack of forwards are at this stage in complete control with St Johns' ill-discipline costing them several attacking opportunities.
Half Time: Menlopark 23-07 St Johns
St Johns started the second half like a house on fire and scored their second try after 8 minutes in the second half to narrow Menlopark's lead to 23-12 Great handling between the forwards and backs of St Johns.
Menlopark replied almost immediately with their 4th try to extend their lead to (32-12). Shaun Calitz's third penalty stretched Menlo's lead to 35-12. With 12 minutes to go St Johns scored their 3rd try to narrow the gap to 35-19.
The game lost its structure during the last 20 minutes of the game which allowed St Johns to come back into the game. Kieran Louw from St Johns scored his second try within 10 minutes to narrow the gap to 35-24 with 5 minutes to go.
Shaun Calitz, flyhalf of Menlopark scored the final try for Menlo to seure Menlo's win with 40-24.
Menlopark deservedly the winners with a St John's team that was not disgraced.
Fulltime: Menlopark 40-24 St Johns
Scorers:
Menlopark: Try: Arno van der Walt, Nathan Mong, Ruben van der Walt, another, Shaun Calitz. Conversions: Shaun Calitz (3). Penalties: Shaun Calitz (3)
St Johns: Tries: Joel Leatlela, Joshua Boulle, Kieren Louw (2). Conversions: Tom Davis (2)
Menlopark: 15 Zander Wolmarans, 14 Nathan Mong, 13 Reynier Overweg, 12. Wian Faber, 11 Ruben van der Walt, 10 Shaun Calitz, 9 Arno van der Walt, 8 Hendre du Toit, 7 Francouis Oosthuizen, 6 Charl Ehlers, 5 Frikkie Dreyer, 4 Pieter Smit, 3 Kevin Locke, 2 Ryan Bam, Bernie Bezuidenhout. Replacements: 16 Zander Opperman, 17 Ruben Barnard, 18 Llewellyn Deysel, 19 Tiaan Engelbrecht, 20 Nielen Visser, 21 Brendan Coetzee, 22 Gilarmo Links, 23. Xander Laubser, 24 Aiden Smith.
St Johns: 15 Joel Leatlela, 14 Dustyn Holmes, 13 Ike Mabope, 12 Joshua Boulle, 11 James Glover, 10 Gregory Ford, 9 Tom Davis, 8 Alexander Sittman, 7 Wian du Plessis, 6 Hawu Sibanda, 5 Joss Theophanous, 4 Jaypi Jordaan, 3 Kgositsile Mashungane (Capt), 2 Luke Heurlin, 1 Joshua Botha. Replacements: 16 Matthew Fridjhan, 17 Nsika Dlamini, 18 Taffy Nyagani, 19 James Groves, 20 Tea Cioffi, 21 Nicholas Kruger, 22 Kieren Louw, 23 Sazi Bongwe.