Pollard helps SA to power past Wales
The South African Schools team won their second match of the Under-18 international series.
The introduction of SA Under-20 hero Handre Pollard turned the tables for the local team, who produced a 24-16 victory over a lively Welsh team at Outeniqua Park in George on Tuesday.
The winning margin should have been much bigger but the home side’s kickers had an off day, with several easy kicks missing the target.
At half-time South Africa were leading 15-0 from three tries, but the lively Welsh came back in the second half and took it 16-9.
Handre Pollard, the SA Under-20 flyhalf at the Junior Woprld Championship, came on five minutes before half-time and set up two tries before half-time with two great breaks.
In the second half Wales forced the SA Schools team into several errors. Flyhalf, Jack Maynard, kept his side in the match with accurate kicking. He succeeded with three penalties and also converted inside centre Ben Robert's late try.
In the half Pollard landed three penalties to secure a deserved victory for the SA Schools.
The SA Schools' backline was outstanding when in possession and Sergeal Petersen and Rohan Janse van Rensburg were dangerous throughout.
Wales made good impressions early on and their tactic, of stretching the SA Schools defence with some clever passing, provided the home team with several problems and a few tries were saved only by some desperate defence. Pollard and powerfulk scrumming were the main force behind the South African win.
SA Schools are now the only unbeaten team of the four. The final round of fixtures will be played on Saturday at the University of the Western Cape Sports Stadium in Bellville, one of the venues of the recently held 2012 IRB Junior World Championship. The SA Schools will play England and France will face Wales.
The scorers:
For SA Schools:
Tries: Sergeal Petersen, Matjikinyane Malopo, Rohan Janse van Rensburg
Pens: Handre Pollard 3
For Wales Under-18:
Try: Ben Robertson
Con: Jack Maynard
Pens: Maynard 3
The teams:
South African Schools: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Jurie Linde, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg (vice-captain), 11 Matjikinyane Molapo, 10 Ryno Eksteen, 9 Akhona Sihunu, 8 Jano Venter, 7 Daniël du Preez, 6 Thabo Mabuza, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Chad Solomon, 1 Pierre Schoeman (captain).
Replacements: 16 Francois Esterhuizen, 17 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 18 Ox Nche, 19 Abongile Nonkontwana, 20 Jean-Luc du Preez, 21 Justin Philips, 22 Handré Pollard, 23 Jesse Kriel.
Wales Under-18: 15 Hallam Amos, 14 Ashley Evans, 13 Steffan Hughes, 12 Ben Roberts, 11 Daffyd Howells, 10 Jack Maynard, 9 Conner Lloyd, 8 Ben Roach (captain), 7 Scott Matthews, 6 Sion Bennett, 5 Lance Randell, 4 Josh Phelps, 3 Nicky Thomas, 2 Ethan Lewis, 1 Callum Lewis.
Replacements: 16 Tom Ball, 17 Jack Dunning, 18 Alex Jeffries, 19 James Sheeky, 20 James Benjamin, 21 Joel Raikes, 22 Craig Woodall, 23 Ryan Evans.
Referee: Lusanda Jam
Assistant referees: Quinton Immelman, Cobus Wessels