Saracens enjoy good hit-out against UCT
Brendan Venter's Saracens were well tested by UCT's Ikey Tigers in a pre-season clash at the Green Mile on Friday evening.
Saracens, who are on tour in South Africa for two matches - against the Ikey Tigers and a WP Invitational XV, played two fixtures at UCT; against the Ikeys' second team, which they won 39-3 and against the first side, which they won 26-3.
Both matches were physical encounters, played in front of a lively crowd (which included big names like Francois Pienaar and Nick Mallett), and the lively students did not stand back to their more illustrious opponents - a team which included the likes of England skipper Steven Borthwick, former Springboks Wikus van Heerden, Neil de Kock and Derick Hougaard and All Blacks legend Justin Marshall.
The first team match, in particular, provided good moments for both sides and UCT - who have impressed in the Varsity Cup - should be commended for conceding just one try in the second half.
Afterwards, Saracens - and England - captain Steve Borthwick praised the hosts for their performance, saying that "there would be a few sore bodies on both sides".
UCT coach John Dobson, meanwhile, was very proud of his charges - despite missing a host of his first-choice players due to injuries and various representative call-ups.
"My guys did themselves proud," said Dobson to varsitycup.co.za. "They played against a fully professional side and did not take a step backwards - more than that I cannot ask for."
Saracens now have a week before the next match of their pre-season campaign when they face a Western Province Invitational XV on Friday, August 14.
They return home next Sunday, before further warm-up matches against Agen (August 21) in France and then two home games against London Welsh (August 23) and Nottingham (August 25).
UCT, who claimed a midweek victory over Victorians (Stellenbosch's second team), will resume their WP Super League action next weekend.
The scorers:
For UCT:
Pen: Ollie Braithwaite
For Saracens:
Tries: Rodd Penney 2, Andy Saull, James Short
Cons: Hougaard 3
The teams:
UCT: 15 James Richards, 14 Rob Hopwood, 13 James Martin, 12 Sean van Tonder, 11 Dane Johnson, 10 Ollie Braithwaite, 9 JP Robert (vice-captain), 8 JJ Gagiano, 7 Craig Kleu, 6 Nick Fenton-Wells, 5 Michael Passaportis, 4 Bodo Sieber (captain), 3 Shane Meier, 2 Hanyani Shimange, 1 Dylan Rogers.
Replacements - from: 16 Dayne Jans, 17 Ashley Wells, 18 Herbie Mayosi, 19 Don Armand, 20 Enoch Panya, 21 Greg Mallett, 22 Doug Mallett, 23 Freddie Cummins.
Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Noah Cato, 13 Rod Penney, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Richard Haughton, 10 Derick Hougaard, 9 Justin Marshall, 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Andy Saull, 6 Don Barrell, 5 Tom Ryder, 4 Steve Borthwick (captain), 3 Carlos Nieto, 2 Fabio Ongaro, 1 Rhys Gill.
Replacements - from: Jamie George, Tom Mercey, Wikus van Heerden, Mosese Rauluni, Neil de Kock, Kameli Ratuvou.