Herculean comeback sets Highlanders ahead

Desperate for a win, Highlanders produced the goods to stun Vryheid in a local rugby derby on Saturday.

With planes from Newcastle Air Show soaring above, the team knuckled down to come back from a deficit of almost 13 points, scoring two tries in the final quarter to seal a 22-21 victory against its rivals.

Missing eight regulars, the first team was under the gun from the match’s onset.

By the half time whistle, Highlanders trailed by three points to nine, and a well worked Vryheid try one minute into the second half and an intercept shortly thereafter, made it seem Highlanders were in for a hiding.

Staring down the barrel, the team kept a collective cool.

In the final 20 minutes of the game, Highlanders managed to take control of proceedings through utilisation of the speed of one ‘Ferrari’ Hadebe, playing on the wing.

The nickname is well deserved, considering Hadebe’s blistering pace.

Head coach, André Swanepoel commended the stand-in players for a job well done, giving the coaching staff peace of mind, knowing the club has enough depth to adapt to any situation.

“The forwards scrummed well, securing good front foot ball for the backs.”

Highlanders dominated the line-outs, despite three injured starting locks and another at the Comrades Marathon.

At flank, Pierre Mortassagne won plenty of good ball for the team, while the day’s captain in fellow flank André Fourie, led the team from the front, especially during loose play.

Mhlengi Khumalo at lock, replacing the injured Sihle Motloung, also had a blinder of a game.

In the second half in particular, the backline got its act together, with the interception try from Vryheid in the face of an overlap, acting as a catalyst for players to up their game.

‘Ferrari’ enjoyed a number of runs down the wing, winning vital metres for his team.

However, it was a Herculean team effort which took Highlanders from zeroes to heroes, including the slick combination of flyhalf Wandile Nkosi and wing Gift Mabaso.

Scrumhalf, Almero Roux also attracted attention with his skills.

Highlanders regained pole position of the log once again after the slip against Piet Retief, and Mr Swanepoel commended his team on clinching a must-win game.

Points

Tries: Mortassagne scored two, Mabaso scored one.

Kicks: Morne Hattingh (fullback) scored two conversions and one penalty.

Highlanders 1 plays Pongola this weekend in an away clash, while teams 1B and 2B wrap up the Vryheid derby at the nemesis’ home turf.