Grey High fought back from 26-0 down to beat Paul Roos Gymnasium 27-26 in their Mutual & Federal Premier Interschools match in Stellenbosch.
The hosts started the game at a frantic pace to which Grey had no answer. Flyhalf Aidynn Cupido threw a dummy pass and slid in under the posts to score the first try and wing Nico Leonard grabbed their second soon after.
Paul Roos then struck a double blow early in the second half when scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies and tighthead prop Jerome Korf broke through the defence to score in quick succession. Cupido converted both tries to make it 26-0.
Grey’s comeback was sparked by fullback Keanu Vers, who broke through two tackles and beat four defenders before releasing wing Nathan Brown, who dived over the line. A minute later, left wing Athi Mayinje scored to make it 26-12 after an hour.
Mayinje's second narrowed the gap to seven, before No 8 Josh Mudrovic broke the line with a strong ball-carry to score his side's fourth try. The second conversion would have levelled the scores but flyhalf Curwin Bosch missed his fourth goal kick of the day.
That became five when Bosch's late penalty goal hit an upright. Paul Roos kicked the ball out, but the referee said there was still time for a lineout. Grey secured possession and set up a maul, which the hosts collapsed, and this time Bosch sent the ball through the posts to snatch victory.
‘All you can ever ask of your boys is that they never give up, and they didn't today,' said Grey captain Johann van Niekerk. 'A couple of youngsters did exceptionally well and I’m very proud. I know many will still regard the 2012 match [between these sides] as the best but in my opinion this match was better.’
VIDEO: Highlights of Paul Roos vs Grey High
Other results:
EG Jansen 39 Kempton Park 0
Jeppe 24 St Benedict's College 8
Queen's College 11 Selborne College 58
Maritzburg College 42 Pretoria Boys' 28
KES 30 St John's College 28
Dale College 17 Grens 0
Tygerberg 26 Stellenberg 21
Pearson 0 St Andrew's College 37
Pietersburg 26 Marais Viljoen 27
HTS Witbank 13 Middelburg 18
De Kuilen 32 Milnerton 26
Eldoraigne 13 Garsfontein 41
Bishops 29 Boland Landbou 25
Outeniqua 13 Paarl Boys' 18
Waterkloof 38 Affies 21
Despatch 0 Framesby 66
Grey College 44 HTS Louis Botha 27
Rondebosch 21 Wynberg 59
Marlow Landbou 27 Die Brandwag 22
Transvalia 17 Nelspruit 22
Bellville 12 Brackenfell 27
Alberton 34 Randburg 34
Photo: Carl Fourie/Gallo Images
