St John’s stuns Randburg with last-second try in 33–26 Easter Festival thriller
The Blues fight back in a nail-biting finish to clinch victory in a high-stakes U/19 showdown.
St John’s and Hoërskool Randburg delivered a thrilling U/19 clash packed with intensity, momentum swings, and a dramatic finish at the St John’s Easter Rugby Festival.
It was the hosts, St John’s College, that broke through — defined by heart, hustle and heroics — to seal the deal with a 33–26 victory.
The game ignited early, with both teams crashing over the line to make it 5–5 by the 11th minute. But the hosts soon took control.
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By the 18th minute, the hosting school’s U19 squad, The Blues, powered ahead to 10–5, and a sharp conversion pushed them to 12–5.
Their attacking rhythm continued, breaking through for another try to lead 17–5, and Gerald van Wyk’s pinpoint conversion extended the gap to 19–5 by halftime.
@caxton.schools CAXTON SCHOOLS | 🏉 St John’s is leading 19-5 against Hoerskool Randburg at halftime in the U/19 match at St John’s Easter Rugby Festival. #CaxtonSchools #EasterFests #EasterSchoolFests #SchoolSportsFest
Randburg came out firing in the second half, narrowing the deficit to 19–12 with a swift try.
But St John’s answered with authority, pushing the score to 24–12.
Refusing to back down, Randburg launched a fierce comeback.
@caxton.schools CAXTON SCHOOLS | St John’s College captain, Gerald van Wyk, proud of his team’s effort in a hard-fought victory! 💙 ‘It was a lovely game, and we fought until the end.’ The Blues win 33-26! #CaxtonSchools #EasterFests #EasterSchoolFests #SchoolSportsFest
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A well-earned try and a sharp conversion brought them within striking distance at 24–19.
Then, with just three minutes left, Randburg sliced through for a dramatic try, giving Randburg a stunning 26–24 lead.
@caxton.schools CAXTON SCHOOLS | Hoërskool Randburg captain, Malan van Heerden, proud of the team’s performance against St John’s College!. #CaxtonSchools #EasterFests #EasterSchoolFests #SchoolSportsFest
But the host, St John’s College had the final say.
With seconds on the clock, St John’s surged forward for a last-gasp try, and Van Wyk’s reliable boot sealed the deal.
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