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Easter Rugby Festival 2026. Day two, match three. ( Photo above: Zwartkop flanker, Luan Wepener with the ball).
With barely a minute played, Zwartkop struck first in Saturday’s third KERF clash on Stott Field. Flank Luan Wepener powered over after fluent interplay from the Pretoria side, and scrumhalf Ruvan Burger added the extras for a 7–0 lead. It looked straightforward, but the boys in white were soon under pressure.
EG Jansen responded with sustained possession, earning them a penalty just outside the 22. Opting for touch, they capitalized when Burger was shown yellow for overzealous defense. From the ensuing drive, hooker Rayzandu van Wyngaard crossed in the eighth minute.
Zwartkop spurned two kickable penalties in favour of attacking lineouts, but came away empty-handed. Center Dian Botha punished them, forcing his way over from close range, with Renaldo October converting to edge Jansies ahead 12–7.
Momentum stayed with EG Jansen, whose physical carries dented the Zwarries’ defence. Wing Jordan van der Westhuizen spun through a tackle to score in the corner on 20 minutes, stretching the lead. Zwartkop, still feeling the effects of Thursday’s bruising clash with DHS, finally found rhythm when Stiaan Botha broke into the 22. A long pass bounced kindly for him to finish wide right, and Burger’s conversion narrowed the gap to three. October’s penalty on the stroke of halftime made it 20–14 to EG Jansen at the break.
Zwartkop’s halftime changes proved decisive. Fresh legs, Tilon Baron and David van Jaarsveld combined to send Waylin Papier over, Baron converting for a one-point lead. Van Jaarsveld then broke two tackles to score in the corner, galvanizing his side with renewed energy.
But Jansies hit back. From a high bomb, right wing Werner Breydenbach contested brilliantly, setting up flank Jaco Engelbrecht for a converted try. Breydenbach’s aerial dominance soon earned him a try of his own, outjumping a defender and finishing clinically with 15 minutes left.
The roller-coaster swung again when EG Jansen collapsed a maul, conceding a penalty try. Zwartkop seized the momentum, countering from a clearing kick to send Dian du Plooy clear for their sixth try. Baron’s tactical kicking then forced a turnover, and his penalty extended the lead to 41–32.
With renewed defensive commitment, Zwartkop closed out a thrilling contest to secure a hard-fought victory.
Scorers
Zwartkop (41): Tries – Luan Wepener, Stiaan Botha, Waylin Papier, David van Jaarsveld, penalty try, Dian du Plooy Conversions – Ruvan Burger (2), Tilon Baron Penalty – Tilon Baron
EG Jansen (32): Tries – Rayzandu van Wyngaard, Dian Botha, Jordan van der Westhuizen, Jaco Engelbrecht, Werner Breydenbach Conversions – Renaldo October (2) Penalty – Renaldo October.
Read more outstanding school news here: https://schoolsthatrock.co.za/ https://www.kearsney.com/college/
Photos: Gabrielle Swanepoel
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