An early soft try conceded by Nelspruit Rugby Club cost them a possible and vitally needed victory over log leaders Sasol on Saturday.
The Premier League match was played at Nelspruit’s club. The final score was 17-17.

Minutes into the match, Sasol’s Juandre Kleynhans found space on the right touch line. He chipped and collected his kick to run through for a try.

It seemed not to be Nelspruit’s day when Tiaan Greef missed an easy early penalty to get his team into the game. Minutes later Greef did slot a three-pointer. Another Greef penalty gave Nelspruit a 6-5 lead with just over 10 minutes left in the half.

Sasol wing, Stevan Jacobs, scored a try to give his team a 10-6 lead at half- time.

Nelspruit had a fair amount of possession and territorial advantage in the first half. Sasol defended exceptionally well.
Sasol could have had a bigger lead at the whistle but opted to run a kickable penalty on 40 minutes. Tenacious Nelspruit defence kept the visitors from the try line.

Nelspruit drew first blood in the second half when Greef nailed another three points.

With one point separating the teams Nelspruit moved up a gear and it seemed that it would be a matter of time before Sasol’s defence would break. The highveld boys kept their composure and it was Sasol lock Werries Joubert, who scored a try. Steven Jacobs added two points to give the visitors a vital eight-point cushion.

Greef slotted another penalty and with 20 minutes left on the clock it was anyone’s game.

Then came a piece of brilliance worthy of the season’s highlights package.

Nelspruit eighth man Francois Koch intercepted the ball, drew the defence and executed a perfectly timed pass to scrum half, Collin van Staden to score.
Greef missed the conversion from a difficult angle.

After 80 minutes of blood and sweat both team had to be content with a 17-17 draw.

The match was played at a furious pace and there was little to choose between the teams. A bit of luck for either side could have secured a win. It was not to be.

Nelspruit II faced Malelane in an Ehlanzeni Mayor’s League match to conclude the day’s rugby.

The game was a thriller with the Olifante winning by a single point, 20-19.

Nelspruit led 12-5 at half time.

Mduduzi Mabunda, Juandre Botha and Craig Whitlock scored tries for Nelspruit. Neil Grobler kicked two conversions.

Malelane upped their tempo in the second half and outscored Nelspruit 15-7, scoring two tries in the process.
Try scorers for the Olifante were Charles Baggot, Mfundo Mabunda and Jack Lemstra. Gordon Mashele kicked a conversion and Rudolf Botha slotted a penalty.

Malelane stuck to their game plan under pressure. Nelspruit made too many errors and Malelane capitalised on these.

In the first match of the afternoon Nelspruit III faced Bosveld Rugby Club in a Ehlanzeni Mayor’s Reserve League match.

The Hoedspruit boys were far too strong for the home team and won 24-7. They led 5-0 at half-time.

Prop, JC Cooper, scored early in the match for Bosveld. Cameo-Lee Ruiters scored a try in the second half and Riaan Williams dotted down twice.

Jacque Pienaar kicked two conversions.

For Nelspruit, Cornelius du Preez scored a try which was converted by Louis Khoza.