Nico Malan’s record broken

On-fire Brandwag’s first victory in Humansdorp since 2007

ABLAZING Brandwag side brought an end to a decade of home team victories by Nico Malan when they scored five tries to outclass the home side 36-13 in their schools rugby game in Humansdorp on Saturday.

The last time the visiting team won in the annual derby between these two sides was in 2007, when Brandwag defeated Nico Malan 31-22 at their Humansdorp stronghold.

Nico Malan defended with their usual never-say-die attitude, but failed to find rhythm on attack until it was much too late.

The visitors were fired up from the start, dominating possession and territory.

Brandwag’s halfback combination of Chadd Adams and captain Chadwyn November was simply brilliant.

Adams was the sniper from behind the loose scrums, while November showed off his attacking abilities with impressive pace.

With the formidable frames of props Le Klue Stokes and Eldon Lotz, Brandwag had clear ascendancy in the scrums, but the Nico Malan pack were by no means outplayed at the breakdowns.

With pressure building, a few of the home team’s lineouts went astray too.

For Nico Malan, the game could not have started on a worse note.

Fullback Jurgen Jonker was injured in the first few minutes, replaced by Lemeul Murray, after which an injury to flank Eric le Roux saw Estian de Vos take over on the blindside.

For Brandwag, fullback Fergus Matola scored the first try in the corner after only three minutes of play.

The ever-present Adams scored two tries while the other two belonged to Stokes and eighth man Elandre Smit.

Wing Gavin Kriel converted four tries and also slotted a penalty.

For Nico Malan, scrumhalf Jayren Draghoender kicked two penalties in the first half.

Outside centre Kevin Slow was the home side’s most dangerous player on attack and created many opportunities. Frustratingly for the home supporters, their team kept falling short of turning promising runs into points.

By half time, Brandwag led 21-6 and in the second half they were 31-6.

With less than 10 minutes left and victory out of reach, Nico Malan finally gathered momentum on attack.

It was Slow who managed to score his side’s only try after his team had produced some successful interplay.

Draghoender took the conversion quickly, but it was too late to break through again.

TAKING OFF: Brandwag wing Dean Jordan speeds down the sideline on attack, trying to avoid the attention of Nico Malan defenders, from left, Reggie Lundi, Hendri du Toit, Jayren Draghoender. Behind are Brandwag’s Fergus Matola, left, and Juandre Sabbat