Saturday saw the culmination of a six-month rugby season when the u/14 rugby team from Curro Nelspruit played Hoërskool Standerton in the Medium Schools Virsekerbeker final.

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These were the top two out of 58 u/14 teams from six rugby unions competing for the trophy which Curro Nelspruit u/14s last won in 2017.
The match began in cold windy conditions. However, Curro started the match with a bang when their back line showed slick handling in spreading the ball wide resulting in winger, Taku Taderera scoring the first of his three tries.

The Curro team used their forwards to carry the ball up the field and caused Standerton to commit several defenders to cover these ball carriers. This created space on the outside and scrum half, Cilliers van Heerden provided quick ball to his backline, which they shifted down the line and used to create try-scoring opportunities. This led to Taku scoring another two tries in the half with a half-time score of 24-0.

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The second half saw Standerton attempt to keep possession, but resolute defence from Curro quickly stopped them in their tracks. The Curro defenders were committed to the task of keeping the opposition scoreless.

Standerton had no other options on attack and their match was over. Curro continued to run the ball at every phase and their tempo of play was too quick for the Highvelders. Curro prop, Waldt Stander was outstanding in carrying the ball up and he was rewarded with a try to end the match 32-0 to Curro.

“Playing a final, one does not expect such a score line, but our boys played as a unit and for one another. Our players executed the game plan perfectly and it was one of the best games they have played all season. At Curro, we strive for unselfish running rugby and that is exactly what our boys did today,” said the school’s head of commerce, Graeme Stewart.

“For a school that is only seven years old, this is our second Virsekerbeker win at u/14 level. We put a lot of effort into our rugby programme and we are happy it continues to bear fruit.

“This is due to the visionary leadership of executive head, Mike Bownes. He has cultivated a school where staff and learners are encouraged to excel and are equipped to do so. This has resulted in Curro Nelspruit becoming a game changer in the local education scene and becoming a school of choice in the Lowveld,” he said.

The Curro head of rugby and u/14 head coach, Ronald Msimango, and co-coach, Johan Pretorius, have done a great job this season in transforming the boys into quality rugby players, but also quality young men who remained humble throughout the season and have done the school and their parents proud.

“We would like to thank our many sponsors and parents for their continued support over the long season. It is definitely a team effort and we would not have achieved this without you. A special word of thanks to Christo Leeuwner at Land Rover Nelspruit for his commitment to Curro rugby,” Stewart concluded.

Point scorers
• Tries: Taku Taderera (3); Mark Louw; Waldt Stander
• Conversions: Cilliers van Heerden (2)
• Penalties: Cilliers van Heerden.