The Roodepoort Rugby Club first team beat the odds in their miraculous 26-20 victory over defending Cell C Community Cup champs Despatch in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
Those who do not believe it might want to press rewind on their PVR decoders because Poorte, as they are known back home, is in the semifinals.
What was described as an unbelievable first-half performance saw the boys from Roodepoort leading 20-6 at half-time.
Three tries were scored in the first half by flanker Juan Shaw, prop Jaco Vermeulen and winger Leseo Malau respectively with flyhalf Hennie Oosthuizen successful with one penalty and a conversion.
Poorte had to hang on for dear life in the second half though as Despatch rang in the changes to claw their way back, but it was not enough. Hennie kept the scoreboard ticking over by slotting two penalties.
“We were pretty much the underdogs going into the game with most people writing us off, but I think we proved everyone wrong today,” a delighted head coach Brian Armitage told the Record.
“We as a coaching team are extremely proud of the boys and the way they played today. We came to George with one game plan in mind, which was executed perfectly against the champs. We put all our effort into this one and it paid off.
“The guys put their bodies on the line, for sure.”
Although the Poorte camp probably is overflowing with confidence, Brian added, “We must remain modest in victory as the hard work only starts now. There are two games to go still and the job is not yet done.”
Asked who the man of the match was, Brian said, “The whole forward pack was outstanding, but Juan Shaw deserved it”.
Poorte will face either Hamilton or Centurion in the semi-final on Saturday 19 April.
Poorte point scorers against Despatch:
• Tries: Juan Shaw (1), Lesego Malau (1) and Jaco Vermeuelen (1)
• Penalties: Hennie Oosthuizen (3)
• Conversion: Hennie Oosthuizen (1)
