Undefeated Ehlanzeni claim interdistrict rugby title in thriller against Nkangala

Ehlanzeni are the Mpumalanga interdistrict rugby champions for the second consecutive year.

The Ehlanzeni rugby team defeated the Nkangala rugby team 40-36 at Hoërskool Patriot in eMalahleni on Saturday, August 24.

The annual tournament is played between Ehlanzeni, Nkangala and Gert Sibande districts, with each team playing the other once in a league format. Ehlanzeni won both of their matches, also beating Gert Sibande 50-21 at White River Rugby Club on August 17.

The Ehlanzeni team were full of confidence in the first half, scoring two quick tries. They started the game at a rapid pace, catching Nkangala off-guard. They then made a few errors and allowed Nkangala to come back into the game. This allowed them to score three tries and set up a thrilling second 40 minutes.

Ehlanzeni also scored a third first-half try. The half-time score was 19-19.

ALSO READ: IN PHOTOS: Afgri ploughs back into its clients and suppliers on the golf course

The second half was fast-paced with both teams making big hits and leaving everything on the field. Ehlanzeni were always ahead, but Nkangala never let up and kept themselves in the game with some brilliant tries. With 10 minutes to play, Ehlanzeni led 40 to 29, but Nkangala scored a late try. The last minutes of the match tested both teams’ temperament, but Ehlanzeni held on to win 40-36.

It was a disciplined and well-executed team effort, but Gerrit Engelbrecht, Joubert Willers and Boeta Botha stood out for Ehlanzeni.

The teams involved in the interdistricts league did not have much time to prepare after the regional club seasons and regional and provincial finals.

“With the short notice to prepare and select the players, the Ehlanzeni team and coaches made us proud in winning the interdistrict cup for two years running. The head coach, Walter Schröder, has an unbeaten record as coach of the Ehlanzeni team,” said team manager Ben Jordaan. “We had a great management and coaching team and players wanting to play for one another and the Lowveld [Ehlanzeni]. There was great camaraderie between the club players and that made it easy to coach and manage them. We are very proud of the whole group and also want to thank the Pumas management team, especially Jaice Terblanche, for all the support.”

Ehlanzeni topped the log with a full house of 10 points. Nkangala were second on seven and Gert Sibande third on two. Ehlanzeni scored 14 tries in their two matches.

Ehlanzeni point scorers:
Tries: Stephan Hartman (2), Delton Thusana (2), Joubert Willers and Boeta Botha.
Conversions: Johan Aspeling (5).

A Pumas Amateurs team was selected after the interdistrict tournament. They will play the Cheetahs Amateurs in Bloemfontein on August 31, and Northern KwaZulu-Natal in Bethal on September 13.

The 25-player squad:
• Waldo Nelson
• Stephan Hartman
• Braam de Villiers
• Delton Thusana
• Jackson Madiba
• Liaan Nagel
• Dylan Jones
• Joe Fourie
• Sylvester Seseane
• Johan Aspeling
• Tshepo Mosumo
• Joubert Willers
• Mynie Smit
• Prins Ndlovu
• Otto Botha
• Neil de Witt
• Lefa Leshaba
• Cauwen Mabila
• Stefan Nel
• Juandré Odendaal
• Christiaan Labuschagne
• Kyle Leukes
• Tamy Zulu
• Marcelino Marais
• Nick Nkosi.