Local rugby teams prepare for season with victories at friendlies
Malelane was victorious in a friendly match against Nelspruit II last Saturday, while the Impalas earned a win against the KaMhlushwa Black Cats.
Malelane centre Charl Marais scored and converted his own try to give his team a thrilling 24-21 win over Nelspruit II last Saturday.
The game was the first in the friendly day hosted by Nelspruit.
The visitors dug deep and showed tremendous character in the second half after being dominated and making too many unforced errors in the first 20 minutes of the second period.
Flank, Isak Swanepoel put the first points on the board for Malelane with an early try. Nelspruit hit back with a try by Terrence Ngwenya, converted by Zama Mhlongo.
The teams were well matched in the first half. Nelspruit dominated the scrums but Malelane looked dangerous on the counter-attack.
Nelspruit number 8 Danté van Heerden and Mhlongo put Nelspruit 14-5 up early in the second half. With Nelspruit dominating territory and possession it looked like Malelane might be in for a thrashing.
Then with less than 20 minutes on the clock, Malelane fly half, Tiaan Nel scored a try. It was not converted but lit a fire in the Malelane team as they upped their intensity.
Number 8, JP Marais was next to score. Charl Marais’ conversion gave Malelane a 17-14 lead.
A converted Clinton Coetzee try regained the lead for the home side, 21-17.
With the last move of the game, Charl Marais dotted down the match-wining try. He added the extra two points.
Malelane showed a lot of guts and team spirit. No doubt they will be title contenders when the league kicks off next Saturday.
Their first match will be at home on May 4.
READ: Liefde vir die spel seëvier by Malelane Rugbynaweek
The Impala Rugby Club of Komatipoort were also victorious in a friendly match on Saturday. They faced off against the KaMhlushwa Black Cats and won 44-12.
The match was arranged as part of the teams’ preparations for the first league matches next weekend.
From the start, the Impalas proved tough in the scrums, which ensured them a 22-0 lead by half time.
The Black Cats scored two tries in the second half for a total of 12 points, but could not managed to catch-up to the Impalas’ impressive score of 44.
The Impalas try scorers were Lucky Siyiye, Keegan Visagie, Corné Dippernaar, Siyabonga Khoza, Swannie Swanepoel and Frans Gouws.
The Impalas will kick off the league matches with a home game against Barberton on Saturday at 16:00. The next Saturday, May 4, also features a match on their home field, this time against Matsulu, a newcomer to the league.
READ: KaMhlushwa Black Cats promotes rugby in rural Nkomazi
