Helderberg Rugby Club showed their intention in the Western Province Super League A in emphatic fashion with a commanding 64-39 victory over SK Walmers in the season’s opening fixture at Charles Morkel Stadium on Saturday 11 April.
The home side wasted no time asserting themselves, with Blaine Skelton crossing the whitewash as early as the fourth minute. Bokkie Carstens added the extras to give Berge an early 7-0 lead. Momentum continued to build and just eight minutes later Junior Fortuin dotted down for the team’s second try (12-0).
Helderberg’s attacking dominance was on full display as Jaeden Daniels powered over for the local team’s third try. Carstens was again successful from the tee (19-0).
Despite the early pressure, especially at scrum time, SKW responded in the 17th minute through winger Henrico Hartogh to get his team on the board (19-5).
In the 23rd minute, SKW flyhalf Riyaad Solomons succeeded with a penalty (19-8).
Despite being a man down after Fortuin was shown a yellow card in the 25th minute, Helderberg responded with Daniels bagging his second try in the 26th minute to further extend Berge’s lead (24-8).
But SKW refused to back down and they decided to add pace to the game. A steal at lineout saw the ball move through the hands and Mueez Damon crossed the line for the visitors’ second try, with Solomons converting to narrow the gap to 24-15 at half-time.
The second half continued in much the same vein, with both teams showing attacking intent, but it was SKW who opening the scoring through a brilliant attack for Hartogh to crossover for his second five-pointer in the 42nd miniute (24-20).
But Berge responded almost immediately when Hughwan Engelbrecht cut through the entire SKW defence against the run of play and passed inside to Fortuin, who scored his second try. Michael Visser converted (31-20).
The visitors were next to add to their tally, with fast play and hands leading to Damon dotting down in the corner for his second try, which Solomons converted (31-27).
With two men in the bin and Berge exerting their dominance in the scrum, Berge was next to score, Darren Hendricks gathering a brilliant pass from Visser to score a coverted try (38-27).
The tide again turned in the 62nd minute, as SKW scored their fifth try of the afternoon, Damon scoring his third try after an exciting period of play (38-32).
But the home team responded immediately, as brilliant individual play by Fortuin saw him score his third try in the corner and Visser converted (45-32).
Just a minute later, Fortuin was at it again, when great interplay from the restart led to him cementing his fourth try. Visser again converted (52-32).
SKW managed to score their sixth try through flanker Eely Pieters, with Solomons successfully converting (52-39).
Helderberg had the final say though, adding two more tries, through Pieter Kemp and Engelbrecht, and a conversion to cap off a high-scoring encounter and seal a comprehensive 64-39 victory.
The standout performer of the day was undoubtedly Fortuin, whose four tries played a pivotal role in Berge’s dominant performance and set the tone for what promises to be an exciting season ahead.
Berge now turn their attention to their next fixture on Saturday (18 April), when they will travel to face Durbell Rugby Club in what promises to be a big clash.
Last season Helderberg lost 30-40 to Durbell, who finished second on the Super League A log and went on to lose to Hamilton in the semi-final.
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