Poorte tested by UJ in first rugby match
The signs of the lack of game time were always going to be visible between the two teams, but the match did not disappoint as there were episodes of good running from the backline players.
Saturday, 1 May saw Roodepoort Rugby Club take on a youthful University of Johannesburg (UJ) rugby side in a preseason friendly played at Scorpion Park.
The U/21s and the 3rd teams kicked off their matches at 1pm followed by the 2nd teams and U/19s, with the main game of the day starting at 4.30pm.
The Roodepoort outfit came with guns blazing and opted to start with their experienced prop Ian Pottas and their hard-tackling centres Louis Trichardt and Brandan Rieck who formed the core of the newly assembled team.
The signs of the lack of game time were always going to be visible between the two teams, but the match did not disappoint as there were episodes of good running from the backline players.
The battle in the front row was tightly contested throughout the match, but UJ had the better of the home team as they managed to turn around a convoy of scrums into their favour.
At some point in the second half the score was 15–14 in favour of Roodepoort but that lead was short-lived as UJ flyhalf Rethabile Nzamo produced a moment of brilliance when he cut through a usually reliable Poorte defence to cross the white wash.
Poorte narrowly lost the match 19–15 to a more determined and disciplined UJ side that was never shy to dominate at the breakdown.
