Signs of stability at Boland Rugby
2010-09-09
Sieb Sieberhagen
THERE was nothing wrong with the inclusion of ex Springbok flyhalf and backline coach of Boland Cavaliers, Louis Koen, in last Friday’s match against the Falcons at Boland Park. If this will help with stability and Boland Rugby Union can implement their new strategy to develop rugby, they can surely be a force in South African rugby in the near future. While Koen (35) and his fellow Bolanders, on a hot afternoon in Wellington, were steering the ship in the right direction, Renier Swart of Game Plan, the new business initiative for Boland Rugby, is busy developing a strategy with SA Rugby, to broaden rugby participation in this region. Koen also laid the foundation for Willie le Roux, who replaced him in the second half. And what a footballer Le Roux is. Hopefully he and Alex Kock, Boland’s inside centre on the day, can be part of Boland’s plans for the future. Koen had a more than satisfactory return to the rugby field and missed only one kick on the day. He recorded his team’s first points in the first minute with a penalty and gave some direction to the young Bolanders. After that the Falcons answered when Bradley Fortuin went over for a try. Koen kept them in the match with another suc- cessful penalty. Kock was one of his team’s excellent players with two tries - one after Chris Micklewood burst through a line-out to give to him to round off. At half-time the home team was still behind 14-13, but almost from the kick-off Jeremy Plaatjies went over, after Cornell Hendricks broke through. After that it was Hendricks’s turn and Koen’s conversion had the home team leading by 27-14. When Le Roux replaced Koen in the second half, it was clear that he had watched the master in action, because he was immaculate. At that stage the Bolanders especially dominated in the scrums. Kock scored his second and PJ Vermeulen also had his turn to visit behind the goal line. Jacquin Jansen, who replaced Koen as goalkicker, was successful with the conversions. Fortunately, the home team was well ahead with 41-14 when ill discipline gave Zandre Jordan a yellow and Andries Kruger a red card. The Falcons could only score one try during that period.
More
News
|
