Darryn Fortuin’s 77th-minute penalty goal secured victory for the Northam Rhinos over the much-fancied College Rovers in a nail-biting Gold Cup final at KP3 Kings Park on Sunday.
The 22-20 win secured the Limpopo side its first open-club national title, a full decade after a winless 2016 tournament debut.
For Rovers, who led 20-19 with three minutes left, it was a fourth final defeat since the Gold Cup era began in 2013.
The Rhinos raced to a 14-0 lead inside 10 minutes through a penalty try and a touchdown from hooker Khwezi Mkhafu, converted by Fortuin.
Rovers absorbed the pressure and hit back with a 20th-minute try from tighthead prop Rogers Zondi and a penalty goal from fullback JP du Preez.
Mkhafu’s second try on the stroke of half-time made it 19-8 to the visitors.
IT’S OFFICIAL: Kwagga’s a Bull
Any thought that Rovers would capitulate was put to bed when replacement Morné Joubert and flank Conrad Botha scored to swing momentum the home side’s way.
Scrumhalf Tian Meyer’s conversion of Botha’s try made it 20-19 heading into the last 10 minutes, and looked set to hand the 127-year-old Durban club its first national crown since 2012.
Fortuin had other ideas. In a swirling wind, he slotted the biggest kick of his life, sending the travelling fans into raptures and giving captain and No 8 Chaney Willemse the perfect send-off in what was probably the 33-year-old’s final match before retirement.
MORE: Yaqeen grateful for Sacha’s voice in his ear
The Rhinos also completed a rare treble, having won the pre-season Sibanye League for northern-union clubs and the Golden Lions’ Grand Challenge.
COLLEGE ROVERS – Tries: Rogers Zondi, Morné Joubert, Conrad Botha. Conversion: Tian Meyer. Penalty: JP du Preez.
NORTHAM RHINOS – Tries: Penalty try, Khwezi Mkhafu (2). Conversion: Darryn Fortuin. Penalty: Fortuin.
Photo: Gallo Images
