Highlanders crack under pressure

Mistakes and ill discipline cost Boschpick Newcastle Highlanders dearly last weekend.

In its first match of the Fidelity Security Premier Division, the local side was pitted against a formidable Jaguars squad.

Growthpoint Kings Park was the setting for this tough encounter.

“Jaguars was too strong for our local club, running out comfortable winners by 30 points to five, after leading 20 to five at half time,” explained head coach, Andre Swanepoel.

Highlanders was truly its own worst enemy, he added.

Jaguars had no trouble capitalising on opposition errors, and amassed 23 points while Highlanders in the sin bin.

Mr Swanepoel said these mistakes meant the team never got going.

“Jaguars must get credit for grabbing every opportunity from these mistakes, and converting it into points. We need to adapt much quicker; in this league, teams will punish you

if you aren’t on top of your game for the whole 80 minutes.”

Summarising, Jaguars scored three tries to one by Highlanders fullback, Wandile Nkosi.

In other matches, Highlanders II lost 21-29 to Jaguars II in Durban, while the third team lost 12-30 to Utrecht’s first team.

The under-20 side gets its campaign underway next week.

On Saturday, Highlanders II faces College Rovers II in a curtain-raiser at 2pm at the Arbor Park Grounds, before the first teams clash at 3.30pm.

Rovers I is a dominant side, even making an appearance in the Community Cup.

“Highlanders will have to be on top form come Saturday.”

The Rovers first team features former Sharks like Chris Jordaan on the wing, Chris Kemp as hooker and Mark Richards, an ex-Springbok Sevens player at scrumhalf.

“We ask our local supporters to come along and cheer us on.”