SA Schools unbeaten - just
The South African Schools team on Saturday showed nerves of steel to hold onto a narrow 14-13 lead against Wales.
It was the final clash in the International Under-18 Series at HTS Drostdy in Worcester, allowing SA to complete the series unbeaten.
Strong winds complicated matters for both teams from the outset and forced them to eliminate kicking from their game. This in turn resulted in most of the rugby being played in the middle of the field in the first half, with the teams sticking to a tight game with close passing.
Fortunately for the hosts all the hard work this week to improve their set pieces worked as they withstood the pressure exerted by the powerful Welsh pack, while their defence again proved to be the highlight of their performance.
Welsh flyhalf Luke Price opened the scoring for the visitors 14 minutes into the match thanks to a scrum penalty following a few tight exchanges.
This narrow 3-0 lead gave them a mental edge as they showed more innovation on attack and stretched the home team’s defence. South Africa, however, built on the tenacious defensive effort from their clash against France and as they shut out Wales twice.
The tables turned on attack soon after as South Africa hit back with Jean-Luc Du Preez scoring a fantastic team try, which flyhalf Brandon Thomson converted for a 7-3 lead. The forwards were instrumental in the try as they applied pressure up-front and spread the ball wide to Du Preez, who was open on the wing.
But their lead was short-lived as Wales right wing Ashton Hewitt out-sprinted two defenders to dot down the ball over the try-line from a perfect grubber kick which forced them back into a one-point lead.
The home team continued to stamp its authority as the half neared a close and they camped in Wales’ 22 with the forwards building phases in an attempt to bash their way over the advantage line. The pressure eventually got to Wales, who committed numbers to breakdown but neglected the wing, which paved the way for Leolin Zass to cross the try-line. Thomson converted, which earned South Africa an encouraging 14-8 lead at the break.
SA’s forwards continued to lay a solid platform up front, which allowed them to spend a fair amount of time in Wales’s half.
Wales, however, earned the rewards for using their forwards to edge their way over the advantage line, with Hewitt scoring his second try of the day after finding space on the right side of the field following a strong showing by the pack. But they again failed to convert, leaving the team one point behind on 14-13 with the clock ticking.
Wales managed to win a turnover in South Africa’s 22 in the dying seconds and tried hard to breach the defence to snatch a last-minute victory. But their efforts proved fruitless as South Africa held them out for the victory.
In the earlier matches England defeated France 12-8 and the Italian Under-18 team registered a convincing 36-12 victory against the Boland XV.
Scorers:
For South African Schools:
Tries: Jean-Luc du Preez, Leolin Zass.
Cons: Brandon Thomson 2.
For Wales:
Tries: Ashton Hewitt 2.
Pen: Luke Price.
Teams
South African Schools: 15 Grant Hermanus (Paarl Gymnasium), 14. Leolin Zass (Hermanus), 13 Warrick Gelant (Outeniqua), 12 Daniel du Plessis (Paul Roos), 11 Duhan van der Merwe (Outeniqua), 10 Brandon Thomson (Ermelo), 9 Marco van Vuren (Transvalia), 8 Rikus Bothma (Paarl Gim) (captain), 7 Daniel du Preez (Kearsney), 6 Jacques Vermeulen (Paarl Gim), 5 RG Snyman (Affies), 4 Jean Luc Du Preez (Kearsney), 3 Ruan Kramer (Grey College), 2 Joseph Dweba (Florida), 1 Ox Nche (Louis Botha).
Replacements from: EW Viljoen (Grey College), Jurie Linde (Affies), Dewald Human (Outeniqua), Remu Malan (Outeniqua), Remuoe Rampeta (Louis Botha), Abongile Nonkontwana (St Alban's), Conraad van Vuuren (Nelspruit), Francois Steyn (Affies), Thomas du Toit (Paarl Boys' High), Thabana Ntsi (Selborne), Justin Phillips (Waterkloof), Malcolm Jaer (Brandwag), PJ Toerien (Garsfontein).
Wales Under-18: 15 Steffan Evans (Scarlets), 14 Ashton Hewitt (Newport Gwent Dragons), 13 Aled Summerhill (Cardiff Blues), 12 Garyn Smith (Cardiff Blues), 11 Josh Adams (Scarlets), 10 Luke Price (Ospreys), 9 Tom Williams (Cardiff Blues), 1 Keagan Bale(Newport Gwent Dragons)2 Ryan Elias (Scarlets) 3 Javan Sebastian (Scarlets) 4 Josh Helps (Scarlets) (captain) 5 Rory Thornton (Ospreys) 6 Jon Fox (Ospreys) 7 Jordan Collier (Ospreys) 8 Oliver Hitchings (Cardiff Blues).
Replacements from: Alex Jeffreys (Newport Gwent Dragons), Leon Crump (Cardiff Blues), Luke Garrett (Newport Gwent Dragons), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Oliver Griffiths (Newport Gwent Dragons), Dan Brooks (Ospreys), Angus O’Brien (Newport Gwent Dragons), Dan Jones (Scarlets), Joe Thomas (Ospreys), Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons).
Referee: Thomas Charabas (France)
Assistant referees: Keys (England)/ Evans, (Wales), Local (South Africa)
From SARU