Pollard to lead SA Schools
Flyhalf Handré Pollard will captain the SA Schools team in their final Under-18 International Series match against England at the UWC Sports Stadium in Bellville on Saturday. Kick-off is at 12.45.
Pollard, a 2012 IRB Junior World Championship winner with the SA Under-20, takes over the leadership duties from Affies prop Pierre Schoeman.
After shuffling the team with numerous changes for their previous outing in George against Wales, the national selectors have chosen what is arguably the strongest line-up for the clash against England.
A surprise selection choice in the SA Schools line-up is that of Outeniqua High fullback Warrick Gelant as midfield-partner for the strong running Waterkloof inside centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg. Gelant caught the eye with some enterprising play against Wales and his pairing with Janse van Rensburg adds extra attacking power to an already exciting backline.
With Gelant now at outside centre it means a return to the fullback position for Jesse Kriel of Maritzburg College.
Pollard came on as a first-half substitute against Wales and his introduction changed the course of the game because he was able to stamp his authority on the match from the very first move he initiated.
The SA schoolboys will be aiming for their third win after victories over France and Wales. They are the only unbveaten side opf the four participating countries.
The English boys, however, will be looking to finish their tour on a positive note after their surprise defeat against France at Outeniqua Park. France and Wales will get the day’s action underway at 11.00.
Ahead of the final tour match, coach John Fletcher said: “We know what to expect from South Africa. They’re a big strong side and they’ll give it everything they’ve got. It doesn’t make it any easier knowing their style of play but we’ve prepared well. We’ve had a couple of tough games and we’re looking forward to this one."
The SA Schools: 15 Jesse Kriel (Maritzburg College), 14 Sergeal Petersen (Grey PE), 13 Warrick Gelant (Outeniqua), 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Waterkloof), 11 Duhan van der Merwe (Outeniqua), 10 Handre Pollard (Paarl Gym, captain), 9 Justin Phillips (Waterkloof), 8 Aidon Davis (HTS Daniël Pienaar), 7 Jean-Luc du Preez (Kearsney College), 6 Thabo Mabuza (Centurion), 5 Nicholas Janse van Rensburg (Affies, vice-captain), 4 John-Dave Schickerling (Paarl Gym), 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen (Centurion), 2 Malcolm Marx (King Edward), 1 Ox Nche (Louis Botha),
Replacements:16 Chad Solomon (Paul Roos), 17 Pierre Schoeman (Affies), 18 Wilco Louw (HTS Drostdy), 19 Gideon Koegelenberg (Hugenote), 20 Akhona Sihunu (Dale College), 21 Ryno Eksteen (Affies), 22 Sandile Kubeka (Kearsney College), 23 Jano Venter (HTS Middelburg)
England Under-18: 15 Howard Packman, 14 Nathan Earle, 13 Tom Stephenson, 12 Nick Carpenter, 11 Josh Watkins, 10 illy Burns, 9 Callum Braley, 8 Joel Conlon, 7 Gus Jones (captain) 6 Ross Moriarty, 5 Charlie Ewels, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Biyi Alo, 2 Harry Thacker, 1 Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi
Replacements: 16 Alex Lundberg, 18 Zach Kibirige, 19 Sam James, 20 Jake Oldaker, 23 Sam Olver, 24 Ollie Claxton, 25 Nick Tompkins, 26 Stephen Uren
Referee: Rasivhenge Rasta (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Archie Sehlako (South Africa), Linston Manuels (South Africa)
Assessor: Dennis Immelman
Wales-Under-18 play France at UWC on Saturday morning, kick-off 11.00. They are the only team to have lost two of their three matches. Coach Alan Lewis says: “The policy has been to play attractive rugby and obviously we want to win games but it’s mainly about the development of the players. We are trying to get players who will play with ball in hand and can make the step up to the regional game. Even the most attractive rugby must be efficient but I am not going to compromise our style of play to win games."
Wales Under-18: 15 Hallam Amos, 14 Dafydd Howells, 13 Stefan Hughes, 12 Ben Roberts, 11 Ashley Evans, 10 Jack Maynard, 9 Connor Lloyd, 1 Nicky Smith, 2 Ethan Lewis, 3 Nicky Thomas, 4 Josh Helps, 5 James Sheeky, 6 Sion Bennett, 7 James Benjamin, 8 Ben Roach
Replacements: Tom Ball, Jack Dunning, Alex Jeffries, Lance Randell, Joe Tomlin-Reeves, Joel Raikes, Craig Woodhall, Ryan Evans.
Previous Results
South Africa vs France, 17-7
England vs Wales, 28-25
South Africa vs Wales, 24-16
France vs England, 20-13