Tough day at the office for False Bay

Wayne Florence

A milestone for Muji van der Hoven, playing his 50th cap for the Motorvaps False Bay 1st XV, was not enough to stop a sharp and structured Tygerberg side from walking away 24-38 victors in a bruising SLA2025 fixture at Constantia on Saturday.

It was a match that saw the home team claw their way back into contention before falling just short, undone by early errors and a dominant Tiere scrum.

False Bay came into the encounter with 603 combined caps, down from the previous week’s 850 when stalwart Ryan “Vleis” Olivier marked his 250th appearance. Still, the Bay gave up significant pack weight to a bulked-up Tygerberg unit, and the early impact was felt up front. Several front row injuries and a wave of midweek illness left the Bay vulnerable in depth and cohesion, something the Tiere exploited from the outset.

In a week disrupted by illness and limited training numbers, selection decisions were never going to be straightforward. While a heavier starting pack or a 6 - 2 bench split might have brought different dynamics to the match, these are always easier calls to make in hindsight. The realities behind the scenes often go unseen, and the coaching staff had to work with the options available under challenging circumstances.

While the 1st XV stumbled, there was plenty to celebrate for the other teams in action. The 2nds, 3rds, and U20 sides all delivered emphatic victories over their Tygerberg counterparts. Respective standouts in those matches included lock Thabiso Molekwa, winger Josh McKinley (who crossed the whitewash four times with a long, loping gait reminiscent of a bulked-up Pieter “Slaptjips” Rossouw), and fullback Jake Coetzer; each earning The Toad on the Bay Man of the Match honours.

The 3rd XV in particular showcased the blend of youth and muscle that defines the Bay’s depth: Shane Steele carried with authority at blindside flank, Joshua Wentzel was accurate from the tee, and the forward pack, anchored by Olivier and Michael Aristidou, laid the groundwork for a free-flowing backline display.

The 1st XV contest opened in nightmare fashion. Within ten minutes, Tygerberg had struck twice, first via an intercept by right wing Brandon Collins, who skirted the offside line all afternoon, and then through a set piece masterclass ending with flyhalf Raven Smith scoring under the posts. Bay’s backline, unsettled by a misaligned rush defense, struggled to contain the early Tiere onslaught.

The home crowd, so buoyant after three emphatic home wins, was momentarily stunned into silence.

Bay struck back with the first of Jacques Goosen’s three tries just before halftime, but the break came with the scoreline at 5 - 28. Two costly intercepts and a heavily lopsided penalty count had tilted the odds dramatically.

True to tradition, the Bay was not done. Despite conceding an early unconverted try and a penalty from the boot of Adrian Roberts, the introduction of impact subs, Lukhanyo Nomzanga, Mitch Labberte, and Nazaar Nazier, sparked life into the Constantia side.

Nazier stabilised the scrum, Labberte and Nomzange brought much-needed physicality, and suddenly the Bay began to gain momentum. Goosen added a second maul try eight minutes in, and the late arrival of Ruan van Willing, a 20-year-old ex-Boishaai and WP U21 specialist flyhalf, gave the backline a sharp edge behind a now-stable pack.

What followed was a quick-fire double as Goosen completed his hat-trick and captain Dylon Frylinck added one of his own. With just under ten minutes left, Josh Florence looked to have powered over for what could have been a one-score game, only for a stray knee to knock the ball loose and deny the try.

What followed was a frustrating series of stoppages and delays, with Tygerberg expertly managing the clock and pushing the bounds of legality without significant sanction. A potential tip tackle and other infringements were waved away, leaving the Bay chasing shadows in the dying minutes.

Tygerberg were worthy victors. Their massive pack, sharp exits, and structured defence highlighted a team that had clearly done their homework. Scrumhalf Chester Kruger was a constant menace around the fringes, and their tactical execution outmatched the Bay’s early efforts.

False Bay remains third on the SLA2025 log, but with last season’s one-point playoff miss still fresh in memory, they’ll know that even the single four-try bonus point, secured in this match, could prove decisive.

The upcoming bye next weekend offers a much-needed breather before a final push to unlock the full potential of this talented squad. With key fixtures still ahead, the Bay’s fate remains firmly in their own hands, they just need to stay united, believe in their blend of youth and experience, and take the hard lessons forward.