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Kempton Park - The Boland Cavaliers scored a converted try in the final minute of play to snatch a nailbiting 24-22 (half-time 10-10) win over the Valke in their Currie Cup qualifier at the Barnard Stadium in Kempton Park on Friday.
Boland had been staring down the barrel as they trailed 22-10 with nine minutes of the contest left.
But the visitors showed remarkable fortitude as they clawed their way back into the contest with a converted try from flyhalf Adriaan Carelse in the 71st minute before eighthman Zandre Jordaan barged his way over for a try in the 80th minute to level the scores.
Replacement back Theuns Kotze then held his nerve to slot the winning conversion.
Boland have been in fine form this season and came into the match in second place on the log, eight points behind the log-leading Griquas, after winning four of their six matches.
The Valke had not had the best of seasons and they were languishing down in 12th place after winning just two of their five matches.
However, they were coming off a morale-boosting 32-30 win over the SWD Eagles.
The Valke fell behind due to a penalty from Boland fullback Nico Scheepers, but they fought back well to take a 10-3 lead after 19 minutes thanks to a converted try from lock Shane Kirkwood and a penalty from pivot Karlo Aspeling.
But Boland levelled the score on the stroke of half-time when outside centre Ryan Neil went over for a converted try.
The Valke could have been mistaken for thinking that they had taken control of the match as they had the better of the second half as they charged to a 22-10 lead after 68 minutes thanks to a converted try from scrumhalf Anrich Richter and an unconverted score from replacement fullback Etienne Taljaard.
But Boland were not to be denied and they deserve credit for their inspiring comeback.
Scorers:
Valke
Tries: Shane Kirkwood, Anrich Richter, Etienne Taljaard
Conversions: Karlo Aspeling (2)
Penalty: Aspeling
Boland Cavaliers
Tries: Ryan Nel, Adriaan Carelse, Zandre Jordaan
Conversions: Nico Scheepers (2), Theuns Kotze
Penalty: Scheepers
