East Rand United demonstrated big match temperament in their Valke Peregrine League semi-final clash against arch rivals Vereeniging by completing a nail-biting 26-25 come-from-behind win to qualify for their second consecutive final.
The result also served as ideal revenge for the hosts, who lost against the same opposition in last year’s final.
The encounter took place at The Graveyard in Reiger Park, otherwise known as the Reiger Park Sports Grounds on Saturday, August 4.
With the two teams having played each other three times since last year’s final, knowledge of the opposition from either camp is rife, and that could only mean a tight and intense affair was to be expected.
And with two great teams battling it out for a final spot, a tight and intense affair is what it was.
Vereeniging, who lost both their home and away pool matches against United coming into the semi-final, had done their homework.
Stephan Jacobs’ team closed their gaps effectively on defence, stifling United’s potent backline and forcing it to play in the middle of the park instead of spreading it to the outside channels, where United are deadly.
It also didn’t help United that they were without star wing Leon ‘Sweef’ Potgieter, who’s so often been a significant difference maker. The flyer is recovering from a cracked bone around the pelvis area. His availability for the final is unclear.
This prompted United’s brain trust to move key man and scrum-half Tiaan Ramat from his number nine jersey to fill in at number 11 – a move that proved ineffective by Vereeniging’s tactical discipline.
On the opposite side of the coin, United matched Vereeniging’s bigger pack with strength, heart and competitiveness.
He was later shifted back to his number nine jumper, with JP Fleming replacing starting scrum-half, Kevin Plaatjies.
The half-time score was 10-all.
Ramat, however, would not be kept in check throughout as his late score, which completed his brace of tries, proved decisive. Captain Jonathan Botha scored his side’s other try.
Kicker Cameron Rooi, who was one of multiple returnees for the big clash, also played a significant role with his educated boot with three drop goals to keep United in touch.
United captain, Jonathan Botha said: “There was never a thought of losing in my mind. We have big match temperament and we showed it.
“Playing in last year’s final and having that experience also helped us. The wind blew us off a bit, especially in the first half. Every time we tried to get going, the ball went behind our backline which was very difficult to deal with. We knew the second-half would be tougher but we’re a fit side.”
Despite accomplishing a very impressive feat of defeating the defending champions three times this campaign, United’s margins of victory got thinner in every clash against Jacobs’ men, a point Botha explained came down to Vereeniging’s quality.
“It was a mindset thing. We had just come from the Carlton League when we played them for the first time this year.
- Carlton League
“The Carlton League was a very tough competition but I’m not trying to make any excuses. We put 40+ points when we played them at home before they came back in the later stages of that match.
“We then travelled to them for the second game and it’s never easy playing there. The pitch is hard and dry, and they are a very tough side. Take nothing away from them, they are a very good side.”
United’s win has set up a meeting with log winners Springs in this year’s final this Saturday, (August 18).
When the Advertiser asked the skipper how he feels looking ahead of the final, he said: “The final is an emotional game to play. It’s always unknown going into it and after coming off such a tough semi.
“I think it will be a bit easier. We’re very excited and we look forward in doing what we do best, and that’s playing running rugby.
“I spoke to the guys after the match. We’re very proud where we are at the moment. We should continue believing in each other and be humble.
“We have brilliant coaching staff, we have a brilliant squad and we have brilliant supporters – we have to remain humble and like I said, do what we do best and that’s to play running rugby.”
Scorers: United: Tries – Tiaan Ramat (2), Jonathan Botha (c); Conversions – Cameron Rooi; Drop goals – Cameron Rooi (3).
United
1 Sakkie Klaas, 2 Shaun de Wet, 3 Hanriel Coetzee, 4 Bakkies Bakumeni, 5 Brandon Snyman, 6 Jonathan Botha (c), 7 Piet Mnguni, 8 Raymond Herron; 9 Kevin Plaatjies, 10 Clayton Gindan, 11 Tiaan Ramat, 12 Cameron Rooi, 13 Waylon Thompson, 14 Jackie Jonkers, 15 Dominique Perries. Reserves: 16 Andre Myburgh, 17 Dirk van Wyk, 18 Jacques van Tonder, 19 Jaco Herselman, 20 Bruce McKenzie, 21 Jacques Dumas, 22 JP Fleming.
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