Riversmead Warriors survive depth test against Durban Mets

THE Riversmead Warriors beat Durban Mets 36-26 in Durban last week Thursday night in what was their second game of the season.

The Warriors are playing in the Fidelity Security First Division South 1 rugby league.

“It was a scrappy game, but a win is a win and we’ll take the five pointer,” said captain Chris Mitchell.

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The forwards man of the match was lock Chris Sharp while the backs man of the match was fullback Devan van Eeden.

Tries were scored by flanks Mitchell (3) and Donovan Horne (2).

Yes, you read that correctly … ‘Mitch’ is playing flank. “Put on a bit of weight,” he said.

This had been noticed during the recent Halfway Toyota Shelly Beach 7s tournament and most assumed it had been a good Christmas for him.

The truth is that in Nico Smuts the team has a very capable, arguably more ripped scrummie, so moving Mitchell to flank works.

Besides, he’s probably always been a flank trapped in a number 9 jersey.

“I rate him there,” said player-coach Juan van der Berg, who popped up at inside centre for the match.

“Most of the Academy boys were on holiday, so we’ll be back at full strength this weekend for the Usher Cup in Kokstad,” he said.

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The front row comprised stalwart props Tian Malherbe and Lourens Stapelberg with new hooker Msizi Mzindle.

The locks Jade Nyman and Chris Sharp have been around for a while.

Mitchell, Horne and newcomer Lunga Madlala at the back of the scrum have combined to make for a quick, aggressive and skillful loose trio.

Scrumhalf Smuts looks like he may have been made in the same factory as former Bok scrumhalf (and wing) Francois Hougaard.

He’s got tats, pace and no shortage of fire.

Tienie Viljoen is currently playing fly-half. He’s able to play anywhere, having been centre, wing, fullback and even flank and eighthman in the past.

His kicking skills will be important to Warriors success this season.

The gas men are Jackson Mqadi (left wing) and Xander Lourens (right wing).

Mqadi may be small in stature but has jet shoes and is not afraid to tackle.

Inside centre was Van der Berg, with Marchell Sass at outside centre, providing experience and calm.

Van der Berg is better known as an 8th man (and occasionally lock when needed) but he had pace to burn in his younger days, and could do the 100m dash in a shade over 11 seconds.

Maybe not searing pace, but pretty quick nonetheless.

Van Eeden is very solid in the last line of defence and looks headed for an excellent season.

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