Diamantveld High School delivered a rugby masterclass at the NMI Toyota North/South Tournament in Stellenbosch on Tuesday, securing a resounding 59-29 victory over Hoërskool Framesby from Gqeberha. It was a statement performance from the Kimberley-based school, showcasing their skill and physicality.

The tone was set early, with vice-captain and lock Zuan Rautenbach leading by example. His physical presence in the engine room proved too much for the Framesby defenders, as he bulldozed his way over the line for two well-earned tries. Supporting him in the trenches was tighthead prop Dian Ellis, whose own two-try contribution further highlighted the dominance of the Diamantveld pack.

From the outset, it was clear that Diamantveld’s forwards had the upper hand, and they wasted no time in making their presence felt. The set pieces and breakdowns were controlled with authority, preventing Framesby from gaining any real momentum. The most telling moment of their dominance came in the 14th minute, when Diamantveld executed a devastating rolling maul following a line-out deep inside Framesby’s territory. The sheer power of the drive saw them rumble forward from the 25-metre line all the way to the tryline, leaving their opponents scrambling.

With Framesby unable to legally stop the maul, the referee had no choice but to award a penalty try. Adding insult to injury, a yellow card was shown to one of Framesby’s forwards, reducing them to 14 men and handing DHS a crucial five points.

While the pack set the platform, flyhalf Ezlin Swartz pulled the strings in the backline, dictating play with superb vision and tactical awareness. Swartz played a pivotal role in keeping Diamantveld on the front foot. Whether through his crisp passing, intelligent decision-making, or tactical kicking, he ensured that Framesby remained under pressure for most of the game.

His impact wasn’t just felt in open play – he was also faultless from the kicking tee, converting six of the team’s tries to add to the scoreboard dominance. His precision with the boot ensured that Diamantveld maximised every opportunity, punishing their opponents for every defensive lapse.

Despite the dominant display, Diamantveld coach Phillip Molnar acknowledged that the tournament hadn’t started on a positive note for his team. Reflecting on their earlier struggles, he admitted, “We had a very bad first game against Rustenburg. It was a good eye-opener for them to come back and put in a performance like they did.”

Molnar was particularly impressed with how his players responded to the challenge, noting that their clinical first-half execution set the tone for the emphatic win. “We were very clinical in the first half, and there wasn’t really anybody to single out – every player did their job as they were supposed to,” he told the DFA.

He reserved special praise for his forward pack, crediting them for laying the foundation for victory.

With the tournament now behind them, Molnar is looking forward to some much-needed recovery time before the team regroups for the remainder of the season. “For now, we are thankful for the break we are getting and will tackle the rest of the season again with a fresh start,” he concluded.

The emphatic victory over Framesby not only restored confidence but also reaffirmed Diamantveld’s status as a team to be reckoned with. If they can build on this performance, they will be a formidable force in the next phase of their campaign.

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Diamantveld showcases rugby prowess with a stunning victory at North/South Tournament