SA Schools 'A' overcame a 14-point half-time deficit to beat SA Schools 34-33 in a 10-try thriller at the Kolisi Field at Grey High School in Gqeberha on Thursday.
SA Schools dominated the opening quarter, with fullback Ethan van Biljon and hooker Theo Boshoff both crossing early. Boshoff then turned provider, busting through the middle and offloading to scrumhalf Mickyle Boose for the third try, giving SA Schools a 21-7 lead at the break — the 'A' side's only response a Ruan Roux solo effort converted by flyhalf Ruan Fluks.
The 'A' side continued to chip away after the restart, and a Jaydon Viljoen penalty in the 55th minute cut the gap to six. SA Schools appeared to have steadied when speedster Luxolo Sonkonokono finished off a well-weighted grubber from replacement flyhalf Achmat Behardien to extend their lead, but the game turned in the final stages.
Outside centre Nathan Aneke intercepted a pass and sprinted clear to bring the 'A' side within four, and moments later fullback Rhandzu Mkhabela finished down the right touchline to put the second-stringers ahead for the first time. Viljoen's conversion made it 34-33.
SA Schools pressed desperately in the closing minutes and appeared to have scored, but the referee ruled the ball held up over the line, sealing a one-point defeat for the first-choice side.
Scorers — SA Schools 33 (21): Tries: van Biljon, Boshoff, Boose, Stefan van der Vyver, Sonkonokono. Conversions: Travis Pheiffer (3), Behardien. SA Schools 'A' 34 (7): Tries: Roux, Aphelele Chamane, Lucritia Magua, Aneke, Mkhabela. Conversions: Fluks, Viljoen (2). Penalty goal: Viljoen.