Don’t be fooled into thinking that, just because the Western Cape season ended with a mere handful of matches, it was any less dramatic a Saturday than any other in six months of magnificent schoolboy rugby.

There were some huge derbies – Rondebosch vs Bishops and Wynberg vs SACS for traditional reasons; Tygerberg vs Brackenfell as regards the score – in the Western Province and out in the Boland.

Bishops buried the memories of their 34-18 whipping at home to Rondebosch by running their hosts ragged to emerge 37-12 victors. The 6-2 try count speaks volumes about a side determined to end a very up-and-down campaign.

SACS also travelled well, but didn’t have things all their own way as they trailed 7-19 at one point in the second half. However, the Baby Ikeys dished up a huge helping of their never-say-die character, turning on the charm to take the game 29-26. Both sides scored four tries, the difference between the two ultimately boiling down to a drop goal by the visitors’ flyhalf Chris Smith.

Realistically, the only question in the lead-up to the Tygerberg – Brackenfell clash in Parow was how wide the margin of the Tygers’ victory would be. So it must have caused the home supporters some anxiety when their boys were trailing 5-12 just before the change-over. However, the form book prevailed. The Tiere went on the rampage, allaying their supporters’ fears by pulling ahead comfortably 24-12 at water time and ultimately coasting in 61-12, dotting down ten tries in the process!

HTS Bellville tried hard against one of 2011’s greatest success stories, De Kuilen, but couldn’t get the better of Kuyper Albertyn’s squad of heroes, who returned to Kuils River with a 50-26 win under their belts. The Kuile racked up eight tries: three to skipper and No.8 Rikus Bosman and two to outside centre Davin Marais. HTS’s No.8 David Fortuin also crossed for a hat-trick of five-pointers, but that was about all they could muster.

Three interschools meetings helped draw down the curtain on the Boland season.

In Ceres Robertson comfortably outplayed their hosts Charlie Hofmeyr to canter home 28-0, all the points coming in the first 45 minutes. Pacy outside centre Cleavon Michaels staked an early claim for provincial selection in 2012 with three classy tries.

Langenhoven High recorded something of a surprise win away to Swellendam, one of the top local sides again this year. After changing ends level at 6-6, the Dasse gradually gained the upper hand to take the tie 14-6, flank TC Pietersen’s try being supplemented by three penalties from pivot Brion Beyers.

Montagu made it a full-house for the away sides by beating Bredasdorp 10-8 in a particularly close-fought tussle in which the sides managed just one try apiece. Centre Devin Espin touched down for the visitors; flank Jan-Hendrik Wiehman, for the Fishermen.

While a summary of the season will appear later this week along with some more statistical niceties, several people who have contributed to this season being just as, if not more, memorable than those past, need to be thanked. 

Off the field, life would be so much drearier without the evergreen doyen of schools sports writers Sarel Burger, the tireless and ever-cheerful ladies and gents manning the catering points, the hosts and hostesses who proudly oversee their impressive club houses and to whom their guests are internally grateful – special thanks to Sue and Hekkies! – and the personnel who ensure the security and safety of people and their possessions. 

One has only to meet the Bloubloed Boishaai Bloggers (Mordaunt, Galpil, Carl de Kock, BoishaaiPa, Fg et al), omniscient and charming company one and all, to realise that the exemplary manners of the current gentlemen of Auret Street represent just one of the traditions handed down by its previous generations.

The medical personnel, including the doctors so faithfully on standby every weekend, reassure one and all just by being there. The referees, especially Ben’s Babes in Lime Green, have efficiently played their part in proceedings. 
 
So to the managers, coaches, physios and players themselves: no pats on the back as you’re probably so tired by now that you’d fall on your faces. You have been the giants in what has been a gigantic season.

By Tony Stoops