While the Graeme College 1st XV rediscovered their best form against Stirling High, HTS Daniel Pienaar regained the Principal’s Hat for the first time since 2021 by edging out Pearson 30-28 in a nerve-racking clash on the Strydom Field in Gqeberha on Saturday.
In Makhanda, Graeme laid down an early marker and dominated throughout, running in seven tries for a convincing 45-7 victory. Scrumhalf Luke Doyle led the charge with a hat-trick of tries.
Stirling, though, had the final say when their powerful lock Lungaka Cakata crashed over for a converted try late in the match.
At Summerstrand, Daniel Pienaar produced a defensive display of remarkable commitment to honour the legacy of former first team coach Roux Brand by reclaiming the Principal’s Hat.
The tradition began after the first team fixture in 2015 when Brand, in a light-hearted moment, claimed the Panama hat worn by former Pearson Principal André van Staden following a Daniel Pienaar victory. Brand then challenged Pearson to “win” back the hat in the return fixture in Kariega the following year.
Tragically, Brand was killed in a road accident while returning from a Western Cape rugby tour with Daniel Pienaar in March 2016, before the return match could take place.
Following his passing, rugby officials from both schools agreed to continue the tradition in his memory whenever the two first teams met. The trophy subsequently became known as the Roux Brand Principal’s Hat.
Pearson claimed the hat for the first time in the 2022 fixture at Daniel Pienaar. They had retained it ever since.
Saturday’s encounter could hardly have been closer. Trailing 23-28, Daniel Pienaar finally edged ahead in the 56th minute when, under immense pressure, they launched an attack from deep inside their own territory, which centre Zinzile Mtotywa finished beneath the posts.
The move began when Quade-Cooper Hutchinson kicked ahead and regathered superbly before breaking into space and delivering an inside pass to Mtotywa, who crossed for a stunning try against the run of play. Hutchinson added the conversion to put the visitors in front.
Although Pearson dominated territory for long periods of the second half, they were repeatedly frustrated by forward passes, knock-ons and a ferocious Tigers‘ defensive effort.
The hosts, who led 21-20 at halftime, finally had an opportunity to snatch victory in the dying moments when they were awarded a penalty just left of the uprights – a routine chance for a kicker of Keano Beling‘s quality. But his attempt drifted wide, allowing Daniel Pienaar to close out a courageous and memorable win.
In Makhanda, Kingswood College effectively settled their contest against Westering High in the opening half, racing into a 53-0 lead before completing a commanding 77-5 triumph.
Scorers:
Daniel Pienaar 30 (20) – Tries: Raqiel Jaftha, Akhlomzi Sizani, Zinzile Mtotywa. Penalties: Quade-Cooper Hutchinson (3). Conversions: Hutchinson (3). Pearson 28 (21) – Tries: Keano Beling (2), Handro Botes, Henrico Ferreira. Conversions: Beling (4).
Graeme College 45 (19) – Tries: Luke Doyle (3), Lucritia Magau, Athi Manyati, Asakhe Ranuga, Selunathi Mfundisi. Conversions: Erin Nelson (4), Ibenathi Kondile. Stirling High 7 (0) – Try: Lungaka Cakata. Conversion: Khazimla Mbunge.
Kingswood College 77 (53) – scorers not available. Westering High 5 (0) – Try: Masaneliswe Cakwebe.
