SA selection routs Kenya
MATCH REPORT: A South African Currie Cup selection romped to an impressive 85-17 victory over Kenya at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday.
The local composite side, coached by Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White, led 45-10 at the half-time break, following an entertaining first half.
Some of South Africa’s most exciting provincial players were on display in a clash in sweltering heat at in Pretoria on Saturday.
The suffocating heat did not deter the players from delivering a rugby spectacle.
The winning side scored 13 tries, while Kenya replied with two tries.
A limited number of fans were allowed to attend the exhibition match after COVID-19 restrictions were recently eased and they were treated to a feast of running rugby in the glorious Highveld sun.
The Currie Cup XV led 19-3 at the first water break 20 minutes into the game, having scored three tries and two conversions to Kenya’s reply of a successful penalty kick.
Midfielder Chris Smit, lock Reniel Hugo and hooker Schalk Erasmus each crossed the whitewash for Jake White’s team in a lively opening stanza.
Kenya pivot Jone Kubu replied with a successful penalty goal as the visiting side tried to claw their way back.
No.8 Arno Botha, scrumhalf Keagan Johannes, tighthead prop Aranos Coetzee and replacement outside centre Stedman Gans added more tries to the Currie Cup XV's tally in the second part of the first half.
Simbas pivot Kubu was his team’s most influential player in the first half, adding a converted try to his earlier penalty goal for the East Africans’ 10 points in the opening half.
The second half pretty much repeated the trend of the opening stanza, with the local side dominating possession and territory and bossing the scoring opportunities.
Loose forwards Phumzile Maqondwana (2), Nama Xaba (No.6 flank) and Marcel Theunissen got over the whitewash, while Johannes and Hugo carded their second tries after the break.
Starting flyhalf Brandon Thomson and his second-half replacement George Whitehead were successful with 10 of their 13 conversions.
Left wing Brian Tanga scored the East Africans’ sole try after the break, with Kubu slotting the conversion.
The scorers
For the Currie Cup XV
Tries: Smit, Hugo 2, Erasmus, Botha, Johannes, Coetzee, Gans, Maqondwana 2, Johannes, Xaba, Theunissen
Cons: Thomson 5, Whitehead 5
For Kenya
Tries: Kubu, Tanga
Cons: Kubu 2
Pen: Kubu
Yellow card: Andre Siminyu (Kenya, 74 - cynical foul, killing the ball at the tackle)
Teams:
Currie Cup XV: 15 Sibongile Novuka, Werner Kok, 13 Chris Smit, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11. Stravino Jacobs, 10 Brandon Thomson, 9 Keagan Johannes, 8 Arno Botha, 7 Phumzile Maqondwana, 6 Nama Xaba, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 PJ Steenkamp, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Schalk Erasmus, 1 Simphiwe Matanzima (captain).
Replacements: 16 Joe van Zyl, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Mhleli Dlamini, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 George Whitehead, 23 Stedman Gans
Kenya squad:
Forwards: Ian Njenga, Joshua Chisanga, Andrew Siminyu, Eugene Sifuna, Griffin Musila, Boniface Ochieng, Ephraim Oduor, Patrick Ouko, Joseph Odero, Malcolm Onsando, Thomas Okeyo, George Nyambua, Dan Sikuta (captain), Brian Juma, Fidel Oloo, Steve Sakari, Elkeans Musonye.
Backs: Barry Robinson, Brian Wahinya, Jone Kubu, Brian Tanga, Derrick Ashiundu, John Okoth, Vincent Onyala, Samuel Asati, Peter Kilonzo, Darwin Mukidza (vice-captain), Jacob Ojee, Isaac Njoroge, Andrew Matoka.
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni