False Bay topple table-topping Durbell in titanic SLA clash

Wayne Florence

Motorvaps False Bay RFC’s dreams of a top-two finish in the SLA2025 remained alive after a titanic battle against log leaders Durbell on Saturday. The Constantia outfit delivered an inspired performance to come away 35-29 victors in an away-day epic that will go down as one of the most memorable matches of the season.

Coming off a dramatic last-minute win over rivals Uni-Mil, the Bay arrived in Durbanville with belief in their system, but few would have bet against the unbeaten northern suburbs juggernaut. Durbell, packed with physicality and famed for their set piece dominance, presented a daunting challenge. But on a fine day north of the Boerewors Curtain, it was the gees of the visitors and their fearless brand of rugby that stole the show.

The stand reverberated with booming Afrikaans beats that even the souties from Constantia couldn’t resist tapping a foot to Bok van Blerk and Appel’s Wys my jou Lemoene. But the warm-up vibes quickly turned serious. Earlier results had gone Durbell’s way. Their under-20s and Second XV notched up convincing wins, and only a narrow 24–22 loss in the Third XV clash gave the Bay faithful anything to cheer. That would change by the time the 1st XV took the field.

From the opening whistle, False Bay skipper, Shaine Orderson and his men were relentless. Playing with a tempo and tenacity that unsettled the bigger Durbies pack, the Bay shot to a 14–7 halftime lead, built on brave carries, astute tactical kicking, and resolute defence. Flyhalf Ruan van Willing, fresh off a standout performance the previous week, was once again influential, earning a well-deserved Man of the Match nod. His distribution, vision, and composure under pressure belied his age as he seamlessly orchestrated phase play off the outstanding platform laid by his teammates. With every player contributing significantly to this performance, it feels almost unfair to single out individuals — but van Willing’s composure and influence in key moments truly set him apart.

It was Luke Jacobs who got the scoreboard ticking, quick-tapping from a penalty in the 7th minute after pressure created by a Daniel Hayes break and a fumbled clearance by former Bay player Grant Hermanus. Durbell responded in kind, but a weaving counter by van Willing, followed by powerful carries from Mitch Labberte and Keagan Tait, set up Michal Hofmeyer to crash over. This emerging back-and-forth pattern of scoring would go on to define the remainder of the match.

The game’s intensity peaked midway through the first half with the unfortunate concussion of centre Tait, who had been industrious. His replacement, the freshly ginger-haired Joshua Florence, would later have a telling say in proceedings. But first came a defensive stand for the ages: Durbell camped in the Bay 22 for much of the final 10 minutes of the half, but every surge was met with double tackles and crucial turnovers.

The second stanza started ominously for the visitors. Within two minutes, Durbell barrelled over after a spate of penalties, levelling the scores. But again, False Bay answered, this time through Hayes, who dotted down after a clever switch in tempo and a piercing run.

The rolling replacements saw more experience and pace injected into the visiting side. Hooker Kamva Mgwali received a standing ovation after another bruising shift, while veteran Neil Rautenbach and youngster Lindo Ncusane added steel and tempo, respectively. 

Following a flurry of penalties and warnings, False Bay found themselves under pressure deep in their half. Durbell capitalised with a try in the corner, a crucial momentum shift. However, Grant Hermanus pushed the conversion wide; a significant miss in a match hanging by fine margins. With the scoreboard now reading 19–21, the missed extras by Hermanus gave False Bay the slight comfort that, if needed, a converted try would once again tip the balance.

Then came a moment that stunned the travelling Bay faithful. Breaking the tit-for-tat rhythm of the match, Durbell strung together sustained pressure before Riis du Plessis, son of Springbok great Carel du Plessis, finished strongly in the right-hand corner. With the conversion slotted, Durbell edged ahead 26-21 and the home crowd erupted, sensing their unbeaten run might remain intact.

But like du Plessis, every player is somebody’s son, and the Bay’s response was a poetic counterpunch. Enter Joshua Florence, who timed his run from deep to perfection. It came after a thunderous break by Mitch Labberte and a telepathic rugga connection with long-time teammate Matthew Damonze, whose pinpoint pass found Florence at full tilt. A subtle step off the left foot bamboozled the cover defence, and the centre glided under the sticks untouched. The Bay had the lead again — with seven minutes left on the clock.

In a knife-edge twist, the lead changed hands yet again as Durbell capitalised; Grant Hermanus calmly slotting a late penalty to edge his side ahead 29–28 with only minutes remaining. Then the moment of the match came.

After earning two tricky penalties out wide, Bay resisted the urge to take a risky three-pointer. Instead, they trusted their system. Working patiently through several phases, False Bay sucked in the Durbell defence before prop Ethan Hains, channelling his inner flyhalf, flung the best last pass of the match out wide to a waiting Daniel Hayes, who finished with authority in the corner.

Cue wild celebrations from the Bay faithful, and disbelief among the home crowd. The final whistle confirmed not just a famous win, but a bonus-point victory that might well catapult the Bay into a top-two finish, and an automatic semi-final berth.

Said returning veteran Thabo Ngcongo post-match: “During warmups, they were laughing at our size. No one was laughing after.”

Credit must go to Head Coach Ashley Wells and his management team, whose renewed focus on conditioning, detailed preparation and making it personal was evident in this performance. The Bay’s improved fitness, strength, and tactical discipline allowed them to match Durbell physically for 80 minutes. The coaching staff did their homework, managing replacements smartly, targeting weaknesses, and instilling belief. This win wasn’t just built on passion, but on planning and execution. With UCT and Hamilton, ahead, the squad is peaking at the right time and growing in confidence.

And as Doc Jones, the president of False Bay RFC, muttered on the sideline, nerves frayed but heart full: “These boys are going to be the death of me — but I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”