When watching Faf de Klerk coming off the bench to score a try and then also steal the ball from Kobus van Wyk to earn the Lions a win over Stormers, it was a little like deja vu for me.
Literally an hour or so earlier last Saturday, I witnessed the exact same thing as Durbanville’s new wing recruit, Frank Wagenstroom, came off the bench to score a try and make a telling tackle on an Ikeys player that saw the visitors fumble the ball and ultimately led to the referee blowing the final whistle to announce a narrow 20-19 win for Durbies.
It was a close encounter, but with the hosts leading 20-5 at one stage, it is clear that Ikeys have a long way to go if they want to challenge for Maties’ crown this year.
As for Wagenstroom and his moment of magic, he says: “The coach [Bobby Joubert] told me to go on and make a difference, but I didn’t put any pressure on myself.
“I know what I can do and if I’m going to do something I’m going to do it to the best of my ability.”
Wagenstroom and his Durbell |teammates have a bye this weekend, but his coaches will be looking for more of the same from the 30-year-old former SA U21 winger.
But while they can rest easy, the same can not be said for the students of the University of the Western Cape.
Fresh off their recent Varsity Cup promotion/ relegation match against Ikeys and their Varsity Shield final on Monday against Wits, they faced defending champions Maties last night at the Danie Craven Stadium.
Coach Chester Williams’ team then travel to Brackenfell this weekend, making for four tough matches in the space of two weeks.
There will also be some club action tomorrow night, with Vics hosting Belhar while NNK will be up against it at home to Hamiltons.
The match of the weekend, though, takes place at the University of Cape Town on Saturday, where Ikeys will look to turn around their fortunes when they host False Bay in what promises to be a thrilling tussle.
At Florida Park, the high-flying Tygerberg, who has won their first two matches with bonus points, will be a shoo-in to beat Kuilsrivier.
The newly-promoted Kuila have now suffered three defeats in a row and will be hungry to upset the odds.
Sir Lowrians, meanwhile, are the only other team in the league that has been on the wrong side of the scorecard three times.
Errol Jaggers and company will have to be at their best at home to Primrose if they want to break their season duck. The Roses will be full of confidence after securing their first win of the year against Kuilsrivier last weekend.