Eloff scores late to send Rebels into playoffs

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South African prop Cabous Eloff scored a last-minute converted try as the Rebels edged the Force 34-30 in Newcastle on Saturday to secure a place in the playoffs for the first time in history.

The Rebels came into this clash needing to win by at least four points to book a place in the playoffs at the expense of the Waratahs. The Force, on the other hand, had nothing to play for except to salvage some pride in their last game, having lost all their previous seven matches.

The contest did not want for action or dramatic twists – the Force opened the scoring before the Rebels seized scoreboard control only for the Force to mount a comeback. But, ultimately, the Rebels had the final say as they scored late to win an enthralling encounter.

After conceding three early points, the visiting Rebels sped out to a 20-8 lead in under 30 minutes. But the Force would go on to score 22 unanswered points for a 30-20 advantage.


Force hooker Ready powered over the tryline twice, once on either side of the break, as the hosts levelled matters at 20 apiece. South African Brynard Stander then found himself in the right place at the right time as he picked the ball up at the base of a ruck to dive over from close quarters. Captain Ian Prior also slotted two penalties in that time. Another player with South African ties, Marcel Brache, also had a good game for the Force, making two breaks.

But Rebels captain Dane Haylett-Petty would get his side back in with a chance when he pierced through the defensive line for a converted try.


At 30-27, match was poised for a grandstand finish. A converted try for the Rebels would hand them a win and advancement to the playoffs. But they had to sweat for it. Three times the Rebels crossed the line for what they believed were tries in final 10 minutes. But all three efforts for ruled out for a forward pass, a knock-on and then inconclusive evidence of a grounding.

They kept on pounding away at the Force line and were eventually rewarded. Hooker Efitusi Ma’afu went over, but the ball squirted loose and Eloff was on hand to scoop it up possession and touch down. The try secured the win, but the Rebels needed Matt Toomua to add the conversion to send them into the knockout stage. The flyhalf made no mistake from the tee as he calmly knocked the ball over the crossbar.

Force – Tries: Henry Taefu, Andrew Ready (2), Brynard Stander. Conversions: Ian Prior (2). Penalties: Prior (2).
Rebels – Tries: Tom Pincus, Cameron Orr, Dane Haylett-Petty, Cabous Eloff. Conversions: Matt Toomua (4). Penalties: Toomua (2).

Force – 15 Jack McGregor, 14 Byron Ralston, 13 Kyle Godwin, 12 Henry Taefu, 11 Marcel Brache, 10 Jono Lance, 9 Ian Prior (c), 8 Henry Stowers, 7 Brynard Stander, 6 Fergus Lee-Warner, 5 Ollie Atkins, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Kieran Longbottom, 2 Andrew Ready, 1 Pek Cowan.
Subs: 16 Heath Tessmann, 17 Chris Heiberg, 18 Dominic Hardman, 19 Johan Bardoul, 20 Kane Koteka, 21 Nick Frisby, 22 Nick Jooste, 23 Jake Strachan.

Rebels – 15 Dane Haylett-Petty (c), 14 Tom Pincus, 13 Reece Hodge, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 James Tuttle, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 Richard Hardwick, 6 Michael Wells, 5 Trevor Hosea, 4 Matt Philip, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Jordan Uelese, 1 Cameron Orr.
Subs: 16 Efitusi Ma’afu, 17 Cabous Eloff, 18 Matt Gibbon, 19 Michael Stolberg, 20 Brad Wilkin, 21 Frank Lomani, 22 Andrew Deegan, 23 Lachie Anderson.

Photo: Getty Images

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SA Rugby magazine