This was a proper Test match. Two heavyweights trading blows, neither willing to take a backward step, both sides leaving every ounce of energy on the Wildeklawer turf. When the final whistle sounded, Monument stood tall with a 41-27 victory over Durban High School, but this scoreline doesn’t tell half the story of an absolute belter of a contest.
From the opening whistle, you could sense this was going to be a ding-dong battle, the kind of match that defines tournaments and builds reputations.
The early exchanges
DHS drew first blood through a penalty, taking an early 3-0 lead as both packs sized each other up. But Monnas weren’t about to be pushed around. They hit back immediately with intent and precision. Juandre Lood Ehlers, sniffing opportunity close to the DHS line, ran a beautifully timed short line and crashed over. Conversion good. 7-3 to the Krugersdorp outfit.
Durban High School could be nicknamed the School of Hard Knocks as they responded with wave after wave of sustained pressure, their forwards delivering brutal carries that had the Monument defence scrambling. The grunt work paid dividends when Okhule Mbanjwa dotted down, wrestling back the lead for the men from Durban. 10-7.
Monnas march on
Monument refused to panic. They kept marching into DHS territory, probing for weaknesses, testing the defensive line. Time and again, the Durban boys held firm, but you could sense the pressure building like steam in a kettle.
With Morne Noble marshalling his troops superbly at halfback, Monnas showed remarkable patience in the wet conditions. Their big men did the grunt work, bashing away at the line phase after phase, until space finally appeared. Logan Langeveldt spotted the gap, stepped inside with sublime timing, and dotted down. 14-10 to Monument.
The lead didn’t last long. DHS roared back with their trademark weapon – the driving maul. When it got rolling, it was unstoppable. Iglisias Bruiners went over from the perfectly set platform, and suddenly DHS were back in front. 15-14.
But Monnas had another gear. Juandre Lood Ehlers produced a cracking run, making serious metres and running over defenders like they weren’t there. The momentum shifted. Over the next few phases, Monument kept knocking on the door with relentless patience, and eventually, they battered their way over. 21-15.
Halftime arrived with Monnas holding a six-point advantage, but everyone in the stadium knew there was plenty more to come.
Monument take control
Four minutes into the second stanza, Monument’s big lock Hanco Van Geelen made his presence felt in the most emphatic way possible. The giant forward barrelled over from close range, showcasing the patience and power that had become Monument’s calling card when camped on the tryline. 28-15.
DHS weren’t done. With 20 minutes remaining, they unleashed another thunderous driving maul, and once again it proved unstoppable. Try. Conversion. 28-20. Game back on.
Then came the knockout blow.
Morne Noble, who’d been conducting the Monument orchestra all afternoon, spotted a sliver of space around the ruck. He took it. What followed was pure theatre, the halfback scorched down the touchline, covering almost the length of the pitch in a breathtaking solo effort that had the crowd on their feet. Try in the corner. 38-20.
Monument were pulling away, and flyhalf Jaydon Viljoen added insult to injury with 10 minutes remaining. Dropping into the pocket with ice in his veins, he slotted a drop goal that extended the lead to 41-20.
DHS fight to the death
Credit where it’s due, DHS never stopped fighting. With two minutes left on the clock, Amo Mataboge produced a moment of individual brilliance, running against the grain and spotting space that others couldn’t see. He scooted through to score, rewarding the relentless pressure DHS had maintained. 41-27.
But time had run out. The hooter sounded, and Monument emerged victorious from the battle, bloodied but unbowed.
This was Monument at their methodical best. They showed incredible patience when camped on the DHS line, working phase after phase until opportunities presented themselves. Their big men fronted up in the trenches, while Noble controlled proceedings.
DHS can hold their heads high. Their driving maul was a weapon of mass destruction, and they never stopped coming, even when the scoreboard looked grim. They’ll be better for this battle.
