Stellenberg were made to work extremely hard by a resilient Outeniqua side before securing a hard-fought 26-21 victory at home.
Stellenberg dominated from the kick-off. Just four minutes into the match, Vlos Molnar fed Juvan Burden, who crashed over for the opening try. Only three minutes later, Ethan van Biljon crossed the whitewash to extend Stellenberg's lead to 12-0.
Outeniqua hit back after 12 minutes of play. Attacking off the back of a powerful driving maul, Gerrit Janse van Rensburg crashed over. Tylor Marais added the extra two points, closing the gap to 12-7.
The seesaw battle continued in the 15th minute. Stellenberg launched wave after wave of attacks before Daniel Steffan crashed over in the corner. Van Biljon converted to push the lead to 19-7.
Outeniqua set up camp in the opposition's half during the final ten minutes of the first period. Their persistence paid off with time up on the clock, as Matthew Prins crashed over. Tylor Marais kicked a successful conversion, leaving Outeniqua trailing 19-14 after an action-packed 35 minutes.
The hosts started the second half exactly how they ended the first. Following a misdirected clearance kick by Van Biljon, Franco Pienaar burst off the back of a maul to level the scores. Marais split the uprights with the conversion, edging Outeniqua into a 21-19 lead for the first time in the match.
Stellenberg responded 15 minutes into the second half. Attacking off a driving maul, they spread the ball wide for Daniel Mongie to crash over. Van Biljon’s conversion reclaimed the advantage for the visitors at 26-21.
Stellenberg then set up camp deep inside the Outeniqua 22-metre line, but brilliant, resolute defending from the hosts kept them scoreless.
Despite late drama and a flurry of brilliant attacking phases from Outeniqua in the dying minutes, the Stellenberg defence held firm under immense pressure, securing a vital 26-21 victory.
Scorers:
Hoërskool Outeniqua: Tries: Gerrit Janse van Rensburg, Matthew Prins, Franco Pienaar. Conversions: Tylor Marais (3)
Hoërskool Stellenberg: Tries: Juvan Burden, Ethan van Biljon, Daniel Steffan, Daniel Mongie. Conversions: Ethan van Biljon (3)
Teams:
Hoërskool Outeniqua: 1. Matthew Prins (c), 2. Chunks Olivier, 3. Logan Jacobs, 4. Sam Augustyn, 5. Franco Pienaar, 6. Wiaan Baard, 7. Andreas Gouws, 8. Aldo Gouws. 9. Fagon Hendricks, 10. Tylor Marais, 11. Heiliano Beukes, 12. Jade Lottering, 13. Gerrit Janse van Rensburg, 14. Jean Capes, 15. Darnell Delport.
Hoërskool Stellenberg: 1. Uzair Blanckenberg, 2. Liam Joubert, 3. Janu van Deventer, 4. Rocco Buchanan, 5. Juvan Burden, 6. Seth Coetzee, 7. Carlo Brink, 8. Yanos Molnar. 9. Daniel Steffan, 10. Ethan van Biljon, 11. Emile Cilliers, 12. Daniel Mongie, 13. JC Swart, 14. Ralton Rhode, 15. Liam Jacobs.
