Garsfontein clung on for dear life as Affies launched a ferocious second-half assault that nearly snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. The final whistle brought relief and jubilation to the Bere Park faithful, Garsfontein 38- Affies 34, this classic Pretoria derby will be remembered for the 20-point halftime lead that nearly evaporated into thin air.
“It was a game of two halves. In the first half they used the conditions well, they were very physical, we didn’t find a rhythm early on. When we received a yellow card they capitalised well and scored some good tries. They are a good team that took advantage of our mistakes,” admitted Ruan Jacobs, Affies’ head of rugby. “In the second half we decided to start playing. We brought a little more energy and were able to move the ball wide where we are dangerous. Well done to them, they were just that little bit better especially in the first half.”
Garsfontein set the tone early. Ruan Fluks bisected the uprights with a penalty in just the second minute, and the hosts were away. Three-nil, and Bere Park was buzzing. But Affies had come to play. Fourie Roberts crashed over in the sixth minute after sustained pressure in the red zone, the visitors showing early intent that suggested this would be no walkover. 5-3 to Affies, and suddenly the derby was alive.
The try jolted Garsfontein into action. Their attack clicked into gear, threatening the Affies line with menace. Fluks added another three-pointer in the 13th minute to restore the lead at 6-5, before the match exploded into controversy and brilliance in equal measure.
The 16th minute proved pivotal. Garsfontein carved out space on the flanks, but the final pass never arrived, Rico du Plessis tackled Yuvrah George early and saw yellow for his troubles. Fluks spotted the opportunity and took a quick tap from the resulting penalty. What followed was pure class: a cross-kick executed on a dime that landed perfectly for Neil de Kock to stroll over untouched. 11-5 to Garsfontein, and Affies were suddenly a man down and under the cosh.
The floodgates threatened to open. Joshua Gouws hauled Affies back into contention in the 19th minute, diving over wide out after the visitors moved it through the hands. 11-10, and hope flickered for the Witbulle. But Garsfontein were in no mood to relinquish control.
The 22nd minute brought more brilliance from the hosts. Beautiful interplay between George and Baron carved Affies open, with Drewyn Baron diving over to push the lead out to 18-10. Two minutes later, the burly prop André van Wyk barged over with raw power, 25-10 and Garsfontein were rampant.
Just before the break, Justin Blom showcased the soft hands you rarely see from a tighthead, delivering a pressure pass to Yuvrah George who dotted down in the corner. 30 -10 at halftime, and surely the derby was done and dusted.
Surely not.
Affies emerged from the sheds transformed. Charl Els struck immediately in the 41st minute, a driving maul and intelligent short runners sucking in Garsfontein defenders before Els grabbed the five-pointer. 30 -17, and suddenly there was a pulse.
The 53rd minute brought Joshua Gouws’ second, the winger finishing brilliantly in the corner as Affies moved it wide with devastating effect. When they gave the ball air, they looked lethal. 30-24, and Garsfontein were wobbling.
The hosts steadied themselves momentarily. A brilliant driving maul in the 59th minute saw Justin Blom fall over the line, 35-24. Fluks added another penalty in the 64th minute to push it to 38-24, and surely now the job was done.
But Affies refused to die. A quick tap penalty in the 66th minute saw them move it wide with pace and precision. Rico du Plessis made a searing line break before offloading to Gouws, who scorched past the Garsfontein defence to complete his hat-trick. Eighty metres of pure excitement, and the deficit was down to nine at 38-29.
Four minutes later, Charl Els crashed over again as Affies found a gear that had been missing in the first half. 38-34, and Bere Park held its collective breath.
One final effort. Dandré Brink received the ball and exploded down the touchline, beating defenders with pace and footwork. The try line beckoned. Victory was within touching distance. But the tackle came, and Brink was bundled into touch. Game over. Garsfontein had survived.
The stats tell the story. Affies started competing ferociously at the breakdown in the final ten minutes, turning ball over with regularity. But ill discipline in the earlier stages had dug a hole too deep to climb out of. Garsfontein’s first-half physicality and territorial dominance laid the foundation, and just barely, it was enough.
