Jeppe High School for Boys made it five derby victories in a row when they beat King Edward VII School (KES) 46-31 in front of a capacity crowd at the Reds Field in Houghton on Saturday.
When the teams met in the first leg of their double-header in April, Jeppe won 31-24, which maintained their winning run against KES since the second game of 2023. They were good value for the win.
From just before halftime to halfway through the second half, KES mounted a stirring fightback, scoring four tries in succession. Jeppe had, however, built a lead that proved to be too much for KES to overhaul, and the visitors scored their sixth try with 10 minutes to go, then kicked a penalty, to ensure victory.
KES opened the scoring through centre Sam Smith, following an early Jeppe penalty. It was the first of four for Smith, who impressed with his powerful, direct running.
Jeppe bounced straight back when scrumhalf Luxon Zwane caught KES napping with a quickly tapped penalty. Luthando Marangxa converted, giving Jeppe the lead, which they never relinquished.
Joshua Hamman, Ndimphiwe Mijiji, Zwane, and Letabo Mashao added tries to put Jeppe firmly in the driver’s seat, leading 36-12.
Smith’s second try and another from Joshua Wilkinson made it 36-19 to Jeppe at halftime.
KES enjoyed their best period after the break, with Smith adding two more tries, which brought them to within five points, trailing 31-36 midway through the half, and in sight of a remarkable comeback.
Phano Letsie, however, added the sixth Jeppe try, converted by Marangxa, who put the final nail in the coffin with a penalty in the last minute.
Scorers:
Jeppe High School for Boys 46 (36) – Tries: Luxon Zwane (2), Joshua Hamman, Ndimphiwe Mjiji, Letabo Moshau, Phano Letsie. Conversions: Luthando Marangxa (5). Penalties: Luthando Marangxa (2). King Edward VII 31 (19) – Tries: Sam Smith (4), Joshua Wilkinson. Conversions: Connor Fourie: (3).
