Ding-dong final ends with United as champions

Trustco United’s first team narrowly won another epic NRU premier league final against arch-rivals FNB Wanderers to hoist the trophy they last won in 2019, as coach Robbie Dickson completed a remarkable turnaround for his beloved club that finished in seventh place last year.

United’s 30-29 win seemed highly unlikely when Wanderers took a nine-point lead (29-20) with barely five minutes remaining, but the never-say-die team in blue emerged victorious, making some of their own luck as the seconds ran out.

Full-back Renier Benade’s placekicking under immense pressure ensured United their wins in both the final and the semi-final (against FNB Kudus two weekends before), as in both cases he landed a long-range penalty in the dying seconds of the match to bury their opponents.

In contrast, Wanderers’ kicker Eugene Jantjies had an off day reading the swirling wind in the Hage Geingob Stadium

Benade’s elder brother Reinold (right wing) scored their last try, as Renier counter-attacked with a kick ahead that beat Bredell Wessels with a wicked bounce. Renier regathered to send Reinold away with an inside pass.

Wanderers’ prospects had looked promising at halftime, as they led 19-13.

Jantjies shaved the right upright with a narrow miss with his first penalty attempt, while Renier Benade took his chance to secure the 3-0 lead.

A sweeping counter-attack by Wanderers sent centre Danie van der Merwe on a 60 metre run, from where scrum-half Reben Botha scored their first try, converted by Jantjies.

The same move resulted in a yellow card to Reinold Benade, but United were next to score through Renier’s penalty and his conversion of a lineout driving maul try to hooker Gerhard Thirion (13-7).

A strong carry by Darius von Solms led to Wanderers nr. 8 Driaan Vorster barging over from close range for an unconverted try that put his team just one point behind.

Jantjies then missed another penalty, before Wanderers worked their captain and flank Anton Steenkamp over for a try.

A big surprise at this point came when Wanderers gave hooker Dandre Schreuder the conversion attempt at an angle from the left, and he slotted it with his left foot to secure a six-point lead at halftime.

United wasted no time after the resumption as nr. 8 Dean Blom went over from a maul, with Renier’s conversion putting them back in front (20-19).

A telling loss for Wanderers was when centre Danie van der Merwe was stretchered off with a neck injury after a neck roll from his direct opponent that earned Jandre Esterhuizen a yellow card.

United lost Blom’s services with an ankle injury shortly afterwards, as Jantjies added three points with a penalty.

Renier Benade missed his next two long-range penalty attempts, with the second bouncing back off the upright, as his side remained 20-22 behind, while United fly-half Hanreco van Zyl became a thorn in Wanderers’ side with fleetfooted attacking and accurate tactical kicking.

Jantjies also hit the post with a penalty and missed another attempt, before Wanderers succeeded in putting phases together for replacement prop André Rademeyer to barge over despite two tacklers.

Jantjies landed this conversion for the 29-20 advantage, before the Benade brothers combined for Reinold’s try and Renier’s conversion and winning penalty, which prompted emotional scenes of celebrations for United and its supporters.

United captain JD Nel expressed appreciation for the belief that coach Dickson’s had instilled in his underdog team, who will enter 2024 as reigning champions.