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Easter Rugby Festival 2026. Day two, match six, Westville Boys’ High 33–17 Helpmekaar Kollege.
The final clash on Saturday at the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival saw Helpmekaar Kollege take on Westville Boys’ High in front of a buzzing Stott Field crowd. Both sides were eager to make a statement, but it was Westville who seized the initiative early.
Scrumhalf Sandisawa Mbokazi darted through a gap to score the opening try with a theatrical dive, though his game ended prematurely due to injury. Helpmekaar responded with sustained pressure, forcing Westville into repeated tackles, but the Griffins held firm and countered effectively.
Westville nearly extended their lead when Jadrian Afrikaner chased a hack-ahead, only for the bounce to deny him. Helpmekaar capitalized soon after, with flyhalf Ethan Kruger stepping sharply off his right foot to score and level matters.
In the 18th minute, flyhalf Jade-Will Koopman’s clever high kick created chaos, allowing No. 8 Lwandle Makhanya to gather and score under the posts. Koopman converted, and Westville surged ahead 12–5. Moments later, Jadrian Afrikaner broke from deep inside his own half to add another try, stretching the lead to 19–5.
Helpmekaar clawed back before halftime with a sweeping counterattack from fullback Xander van Niekerk, who set up Zuan Krige in the corner. At the break, Westville led 19–10.
Sweeping counterattack
The Joburg side came out firing in the second half, and relentless pressure earned them a penalty try when Sotaka was yellow-carded for halting a wide pass. Suddenly, the gap was just two points.
Westville’s response was immediate. Afrikaner latched onto a chip from Curtis Fenton, showing his pace to score, with Koopman adding the extras for 26–17. Helpmekaar pressed again, van Niekerk proving a constant threat, but Afrikaner struck once more—snatching possession inside his own 22 and racing away for his second try, his fifth of the tournament. Substituted straight after, his impact had already sealed the contest.
The frenetic pace eased in the final stages, and no further points were added. Westville closed out a 33–17 victory, their forwards impressing against a physical Helpmekaar pack, with Makhanya particularly influential.
Helpmekaar’s halfbacks, Shaye Lourens and Ethan Kruger, stood out for their sharp decision-making, while van Niekerk’s counterattacking flair kept Westville under pressure. Ultimately, though, Afrikaner’s brilliance and Westville’s collective resilience proved decisive.
Final Scores:
Westville 33 (19): Tries: Jadrian Afrikaner (2), Sandiswa Mbokazi, Lwandle Makhanya, Bukho Sotaka. Conversions: Jade-Will Koopman (4)
Helpmekaar 17 (10): Tries: Ethan Kruger, Zuan Krige, penalty try
Read more exciting school news here: https://schoolsthatrock.co.za/
https://www.kearsney.com/college/
Photos supplied
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