Hogs Maul Jaguars To Claim Rugby Title
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday August 31, 2015 14:58
Hogs went into the match as favourites and Jaguars were expected to cause an upset. The visitors became the first team in the league’s history to qualify for the final in their debut. The two sides have played against each other on two occasions before, with Hogs winning both encounters.
The match started on a low note with both sides playing the ball in the middle of the park. Hogs were awarded a penalty in the seventh minute.
Edie Ousthuizen missed from the spot kick and the game continued without a try. Jaguars showed no respect for the host as they made a good run through Ontlametse Sekumula along the touchline.
Hogs defence along the 22-metre line brought down the loose prop.
Taku Mhonda tried to catch Hogs on a counterattack, but was let down by the last pass to his teammate who dropped the ball in the 27th minute. Jaguars were now playing goof rugby forcing Hogs to be defensive. Despite that, Hogs scored a try in the 30th minute. Ousthuizen was having a bad day as he failed to score a conversion.
A few minutes later he scored a penalty to make sure that Hogs went for a break on the lead. The second half started with Jaguars trying to catch up with Hogs.
Hugo Botha tried to make a run and Neal Mosienyane tackled him giving his side an attack advantage. Jaguars were unfortunate in the 50th minute when their try was blocked a few inches from the goal line. Rolaid Megan scored a try for Hogs in the 61st minute and Ousthuizen made a conversion. Hogs coach, Andrew Paxinos said after the match that he was impressed with the way his team played. He explained that they last won the league in 2012 hence they came into the game with the aim to redeem themselves.
“We even tinted our hair with different colours as a way of celebrating our achievement of being in the final. Our opponents gave us a good game and proved that they deserved to be here,” he said.
Paxinos said beating UB Rhinos in the semi-final lifted Jaguars’ confidence.
For his part, Jaguars coach, Mhonda said their plan was to frustrate Hogs in scrums and rags. He observed that his charges did well in the first half and stuck to the plan. Mhonda said they were unfortunate not to have utilised their chances.
The team’s line-up: Jaguars: Maitlamo Motswane, Kao Chibana, Tapiwa Chigwada, Kagiso Sethabo, Rambo Masalila, Mosienyane, Tafa Ncube, Dent Patrick, Ishmael Pelaelo, Mhonda, Donald Mapula, Thabang Moepi, Letlhogile Dotse, Keabetswe Lesole and Ronald Fortune.
Coach: Mhonda
Hogs: Shatiso Ntebe, Thato Ndove, Albert Vinns, Shaun Lees, Mat Gibson, Rolaid Megan, Jeremy Babage, Stephan Van Zyl, Steve P, Hugo Botha, Kia Soreta, Ousthuizen, JJ Harires, Dillion P and Damelin Motlogelwa.
Coach: Paxinos