Healthy again, with almost all of the first-choice players in their run-on XV, Westville Boys’ High turned on the style to power their way to an emphatic 50-3 victory at Glenwood High on Saturday. It was Westville’s first win on Dixon’s Field since 2015.
It took Westville a while to wear down the young Green Machine, but once they found their rhythm, they ran away with the game.
When players are out injured, their replacements might offer similar skills. However, combinations and understanding take a hit. Having their senior players return, and with that their experience of playing together, was the medicine that Westville needed to show how dangerous they could be.
At scrumhalf, Sandiswa Mbokazi‘s high tempo and sound decision-making enabled the Griffins to build momentum. Right-wing Bukho Sotaka, who crossed the whitewash twice, also made a big impact.
To score tries, a foundation has to be laid, and Westville coach Zander Erasmus credited his pack for putting in a massive shift. Their rewards included a first try for the 1st XV from flank, Omphiwe Dladla, who was put in the clear by loosehead prop, Sibusiso Hlongwa.
“It was relentless pressure, high-tempo attack, and double hits on defence, suffocating them, and making them work hard on D with snap plays,” Erasmus said.
“[Fullback] Lux Sonkononkono and [flyhalf] Jade-Will Koopman pulled the strings and Jadrian Afrikaner came alive in the second half with some great touches, runs and a good try.”
“At one stage, it looked like we were playing Sevens with the way we kept the ball alive and played our offload game,” he added. Given that Westville Boys’ High is the reigning national champion in the format, that speaks volumes about their creativity and running.
One of the stars of their Sevens team, flank Ezra Karolisin, was a standout. Erasmus explained: “He was immense with his linking play and touches to create for the backs on the outside.”
Apart from Bukho Sotaka’s two tries, his opposite wing, Avumile Lisa, also dotted down. Karosilin, Dladla, 8th-man Lwandle Makhanya, and the midfielders, Curtis Fenton and Jadrian Afrikaner, also went over for five-pointers.
Five conversions from Jade-Will Koopman boosted Westville’s tally to a half-century.
Scorers
Westville Boys’ High 50 (24) – Bukho Sotaka (2), Avumile Lisa, Ezra Karosilin, Omphiwe Dladla, Lwandle Makhanya, Curtis Fenton, Jadrian Afrikaner. Conversions: Jade-Will Koopman (5). Glenwood High 3 (0) – Penalty: Vincenzo Loutz.
Other Results
u19
II: Glenwood 19 Westville 14
III: Glenwood 12 Westville 5
IV: Westville 22 Glenwood 7
V: Westville 33 Glenwood 19
VI: Glenwood 24 Westville 17
VII: Glenwood 19 Westville 12
u16
A: Westville 45 Glenwood 8
B: Westville 27 Glenwood 7
C: Westville 50 Glenwood 0
D: Westville 50 Glenwood 0
u15
A: Westville 21 Glenwood 19
B: Westville 19 Glenwood 5
C: Westville 40 Glenwood 0
D: Westville 41 Glenwood 0
E: Westville 36 Glenwood 5
u14
A: Westville 33 Glenwood 0
B: Westville 22 Glenwood 5
C: Westville 32 Glenwood 19
D: Westville 50 Glenwood 0
E: Westville 50 Glenwood 0
F: Westville 50 Glenwood 0
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