‘Panne’ win by three in Durban
Replacement flanker Ricky Menezes secured a 36-33 victory with the winning try for Siyaya Brakpan Rugby Club in their first away encounter in Pool C of the South African Rugby Union’s (Saru) Gold Cup.
The men from Bosman Stadium, following a home win over Direct Axis False Bay last weekend, made the journey to KwaZulu-Natal to face one of the top challengers in their pool SA Home Loans Durban Collegians at Kings Park 2 on Saturday, September 24.
The match itself could be described as a “see-saw battle” for the way in which the lead continually changed hands.
The “Panne” had an early 14-3 lead before an intercept try and a long-range try from kick-off allowed Durban Collegians to take the lead after 20 minutes.
Hagen Mumba, playing on the left wing, would cross the Collegians whitewash just before the halftime break to again give Brakpan the advantage.
Mumba, who can usually be spotted in the number 15 jersey, made the switch to the wing to allow Gido Horn to take the fullback position and newcomer to the team Raydell Walters to ply in the fly half position.
One big highlight for Brakpan was the fact that their forward pack again stepped up when needed most, particularly in the scrum.
Menezes’s try would give the Brakpan outfit the narrow win.
Brakpan stay on the road this weekend when they travel to the Lowveld to play against White River.
Regular captain Francois “Bones” Robbertse will be absent as he goes on honeymoon and will not be available while lock Dwane Morrison has injured his shoulder.
Lock forward Dean van der Merwe will probably make his long-awaited return against the Lowvelders.
