In Friday night’s rugby clash of the ex-Springbok coaches, at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Allister Coetzee’s EP side were beaten by Heyneke Meyer’s SWD Eagles.
In Gqeberha, the SWD Eagles claimed a determined 26–22 victory over Eastern Province in an exciting clash at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, where the hosts started with intent, absorbing early pressure before hitting back with tries by Joshua Paris and Lwandile Mapuko, both converted by Maxwell Klaasen, pushing them into a deserved lead late in the first half.
A Klaasen penalty goal stretched the margin further as EP appeared to have the momentum, but the Eagles responded to show their fighting spirit. A crucial try from Gunther Janse van Vuuren, followed by a Fred Zeilinga conversion on the stroke of halftime, gave the visitors a narrow 19–17 advantage at the break.
That surge formed part of a decisive 14-point swing either side of halftime, shifting the derby’s rhythm firmly towards SWD.
The second half was equally tense and SWD extended their lead through Carlton Banies, again converted by Zeilinga. Although Mapuko crossed again in the final quarter to bring EP within striking distance, the Eagles’ forwards tightened their grip, dominating collisions and slowing EP’s momentum.
Scores:
Eastern Province 22 (17), SWD Eagles 26 (19)
- EP – Tries: Lwandile Mapuko (2), Joshua Paris. Conversions: Maxwell Klaasen (2). Penalty goal: Klaasen.
- SWD – Tries: Kyle Cyster, Tiaan Pretorius, Gunther Janse van Vuuren, Carlton Banies. Conversions: Fred Zeilinga (3).
