It was unlikely that it would be Nelspruit Rugby Club’s day. They were bottom of the log and facing bitter rivals White River.

Seven Nelspruit second-team players had been promoted to the injury-ravaged first team for the vital clash. One third-team player even found himself in the match squad. White River had defeated Nelspruit away from home just five weeks earlier.

White River hosted Nelspruit in a Mpumalanga Premier League match on Saturday. The match was a thriller and went down to the wire.

Nelspruit’s prematch woes followed them onto the field when a knock on from the kick-off gifted White River possession. Ross O’Mahoney sprinted down the right touchline before offloading. The try-scoring pass went to WF Kotze. Andy Huysamen converted. After 60 seconds White River held a 7-0 lead.

It was an intense and unforgiving rugby match. The pace was electric and the passion furious.

Nelspruit captain, Gary Visagie, led by example and inspired his team until the final whistle. Under pressure after the side’s poor effort in the set pieces in the previous encounter against White River, the meaty lock kept his warriors calm. They, in turn kept it simple. The visiting forwards dominated the set pieces. They were superb in the scrum. This resulted in quality front-foot attacking ball and the game plan fell into place.

White River gave as good as they got. They knew Nelspruit would be out for revenge and were prepared.  The home team defended well and despite coming off second best in the set pieces were in with a chance of victory until the final whistle.

Both squads made too many unforced errors, but the pace and intensity of the play made this a day to remember for both teams’s supporters.

Shortly after the restart after White River opening try Nelspruit were awarded a penalty in a kickable position. They opted for touch and Greef failed boot the ball out. Nelspruit had thrown away a possible three points and fluffed a probable seven points.

A quarter of the match was over before Nelspruit were rewarded for dominating territory and possession. Full back Collin van Staden polished off a brilliant backline move in the right corner. Tiaan Greef missed the conversion.

Two penalty kicks from Greef took the half-time score to 11-7 for the visiting team.

Nelspruit continued their good form in the second half, but their inability to finish off attacking moves hampered them. They were eventually rewarded with a seven pointer when eighth man Japie Bester twisted his way over the try line from a five-metre scrum.

Nelspruit hooker, Frans Jordaan, earned a yellow card for a professional foul. White River ran the penalty and flanker, Christiaan Labuschagne scored the try. Huysamen converted. White River 14, Nelspruit 18.

White River winger, Johan Booysen also spent ten minutes in the cooler.

A Greef penalty took Nelspruit’s lead to seven points with 20 minutes remaining.

An inspired White River fought back valiantly and booted a penalty into touch. O’Mahoney scored from the resulting line out and Huysamen slotted a pressure conversion to level the score.

Greef nailed a 39-metre penalty from a difficult angle to regain the lead for Nelspruit

In the final seconds of the match White River were awarded a penalty. It was comfortably in Huysamen’s range and three points would result in a draw. They chose to kick for touch.

The resulting maul came within centimetres of the try line. Second phase went to the back line but still Nelspruit defence held. The visitors secured a turn over and 80 minutes of battle came to and end with a 24-21 win for Nelspruit.

An exhausted Visagie smiled for the first time. He was entitled to. His team had done him and the club proud.