Northerns’ Koekemoer steals show with stunning solo try

He ran from his own half to score a stunning try as Northerns won the contest 19-12.

August 13, 2025

Lebohang Pita 2 minutes read

Northerns' Ryan Koekemoer runs from his own half to score his team's second try.

Ryan Koekemoer lit up the Valke Junior Rugby Day on Women’s Day at Benoni Northerns with a dazzling first-half solo try, powering the club’s U10 side to a hard-fought 19-12 win over the Boksburg Owls.

A burst of brilliance from the youngster midway through the first half sent spectators surrounding the main field to their feet. He ran from his own half, put boot to the ball after the centre line and then chased the ball as it bounced over a Boksburg defender, before grabbing it to cross under the posts.

Ryan Koekemoer carries the ball on his way to the try line.

While Koekemoer won fans with that moment of brilliance, the man of the match accolade went to the hardworking Duan ‘Bees’ van der Merwe.

The youngster displayed immense talent, combining grit and power in the breakdowns with unstoppable force when charging forward.

A Boksburg Owl player advances forward with the ball.

A Benoni player is tackled by two opponents.

After the Owls’ early dominance, Van der Merwe opened the scoring with a five-pointer – bulldozing several defenders – before diving on the right side after Northerns won a throw-in next to the opposition’s 22-metre line.

Koekemoer added Northerns’ second try, but Boksburg responded immediately through Zian Badernhof. However, Chayton Klusmann increased Northerns’ lead with a converted try, sending his side into the break with a 19-5 lead.

Duan ‘Bees’ van der Merwe advances forward with the ball as a Boksburg player tries to close him down.

The second half began with the same tempo as Stefan Venter crossed over for the Owls with a brilliant touchdown.

With his team pressing in the Northerns half, Venter snatched the ball in midfield, darted right with defenders trailing in his wake, before powering through to score a stunning solo try.

Stevan Venter runs with the ball to score Boksburg’s second try.

Stefan Venter scored Boksburg’s second try.

The match ended 19-12 as the hosts claimed maximum points.

Other results:

The day saw plenty of action across several rugby fields as the region’s youngsters displayed their talent.

The Benoni Northerns Rugby Club U10 team.

• Benoni Yellow beat Brakpan white 2-0 and Springs White 4-0
• Benoni Black beat Springs Blue 4-3 and Boksburg Red 6-4
• Benoni Red beat Brakpan White 9-0 and NWU 6-1.

• Benoni 14-0 Meyerton

A Benoni Northerns player awaits the ball as Boksburg defenders attempt to block his path.

U10

• Benoni Black 34 – 0 Boksburg

U12

• NWU 15 -10 Benoni Red
• Benoni Green 3-3 Kempton Black
• Benoni Green 3-10 Brakpan Green
• Benoni White 10-0 Bobbies
• Benoni White seconds 11-0 Kempton
• Benoni Red 2-8 Springs Yellow
• Benoni Yellow 9-2 Springs Blue
• Benoni Yellow 4-4 Springs Green
• Benoni Black 7-1 Springs Green

U13

• Benoni Red 26-5 Vereeniging
• Benoni Black 12-5 NWU

Also Read: Benoni Northerns Storm juniors impress in Valke Youth League

Also Read: Northerns juniors get Valke call-ups