Valke Peregrine League log leaders Springs overcame a valiant effort from visiting TW Boksburg during their semi-final clash in Springs on Saturday, August 4.
With little to lose and coming into the fixture as heavy underdogs, Boksburg rose to the occasion and rewarded themselves with a barely believable 15-12 half-time lead.
This was before the hosts outscored them 19-0 in the second stanza to set-up a mouth-watering clash with log runners-up, East Rand United.
All of Boksburg’s first-half points came courtesy of respective tries from captain and lock forward Willem Botes and former captain and loose forward Danie Schultz.
Kicker Henry Pike knocked over one conversion and a single penalty.
Quizzed on the game, Boksburg skipper Botes said: “We played our hearts out and put our bodies on the line but just could not pull it off. We lost to a good team.”
TW Boksburg head coach Francois Erasmus, who’s taken the Owls back to the play-offs for the first time in four years in his first season in charge, said: “Our aim was to get to the semis but it obviously didn’t go our way against Springs.
“We played very well and we can look forward to next season. Ninety-nine per cent of our players will be with the team next season and we’ve all agreed that we’ll have to work harder and improve on our fitness and conditioning.
“The good thing is we all know each other better now and the players have gotten comfortable with my coaching style and philosophies.
“We made a few mistakes tactically, there were a few occasions where we should’ve kicked for goal but we didn’t.
“But all-in-all, I’m very proud of my players.”
Scorers: TW Boksburg: Tries – Willem Botes, Danie Schultz. Conversions – Henry Pike. Penalties – Henry Pike – @SabeloBoksburg
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