Karriem's boot secures Hamilton a cup final spot

Mark Ward

Yazeed Karriem, a teacher at Talfalah Primary School in Manenberg, scored a last-gasp penalty to help Hamilton reach the final of the Western Province Rugby Football Union Super League A  after a dramatic semi-final victory over Durbanville-Bellville (Durb-Bell), at City Park, on Saturday.

With time almost up and his side trailing 34–32, Karriem stepped up to take a penalty kick against a stiff south-easterly wind which whipped across the ground, making it difficult for goalkicking. The 26-year-old, however, remained calm under pressure. With loyal supporters biting their nails along the sidelines, Karriem gave a last glance at the posts and then, with one smooth strike, the ball sailed between the uprights. Hamilton, the defending champions, snatched a 35–34 win to book a place in next weekend’s final against Villager at the same venue.

It was a stunning turnaround in a contest that had swung from end to end. For much of the closing stages, Hamilton looked destined to bow out. Durb-Bell had done enough to edge ahead and seemed to have buried the champions. But when the crucial penalty was awarded, Karriem seized the opportunity to complete his 15-point haul - three penalties and three conversions.

What made the kick even more remarkable was the fact that Karriem is not Hamilton’s regular fly-half or first-choice goal kicker. Normally deployed at fullback, he was drafted into the No. 10 jersey after an injury ruled out Christiaan Zietsman. When no one else volunteered to take on the kicking duties, Karriem stepped forward.

“To be honest, when I lined up for that kick, I tried to block out everything. I knew the pressure was on me, but I remembered the words of my late father, Nassir. He always told me, ‘My boy, you can do this.’ That’s what gave me the confidence,” he said afterwards.

Karriem’s composure was not born overnight; he has been involved in rugby since the age of seven. His early talent was spotted by Saied Blake, chairman of the Manenberg Rangers Rugby Club. Blake vividly recalls the moment he saw the youngster’s potential.

Blake jokingly recalls how Karriem, as a seven-year-old, grabbed the ball in his first match and raced towards the wrong end to score a try.  

“He was playing in a junior game against Primrose when I realised he needed proper rugby boots. I approached his dad to get him a pair, and from that day on, Yazeed showed he had the talent and commitment to succeed,” said Blake.

Karriem’s rise through the ranks was swift. He represented Western Province since the age of 13, and then at both the Grant Khomo Week and the Craven Week tournaments before focusing on his studies, eventually earning a degree in education at the University of Stellenbosch. But he never lost touch with the game, balancing his teaching career with his club rugby commitments, and helped the Maties win the  Young Guns section in the Varsity Cup series.

Blake said his former protégé has always possessed both the ability and temperament required at the highest level. “He’s a player who relishes responsibility and delivers when it matters most,” Blake added.

Hamilton will now turn their attention to the final against Villager, who overcame SK Walmer 44-31 in another fiercely contested semifinal. Later this month, Hamilton will also represent Western Province in the Gold Cup, the national club rugby competition.

But for now, their immediate celebrations centre on Karriem’s coolly slotted over the penalty in a match where his side looked beaten, not bad for a player who last kicked under pressure three seasons ago.