SA Schools claim bragging rights in Craven Week finale
The SA Schools side looked very comfortable, especially in the first half, where they dominated play and had a deserved 28-0 lead at the break, scoring four good tries.
In the second half, the 'A'-side rallied to get back in the game, scoring two tries of their own, while the winning team dotted down three more times.
The SA Schools started like a house on fire with wing Jadrian Afrikaner scoring the opener two minutes in, following a good attack down the left. Flyhalf Liyema Nela kicked the conversion.
The team in green dominated the opening quarter and had all the play in that time. They crossed the 'A'-side's tryline twice, only to be denied due to earlier infringements.
The wall was clearly cracking early, with the SA Schools having the upper hand at scrum time and their backs running at pace.
Three consecutive scrum penalties near their opponents' line yielded no result though, with over-eagerness and lack of cohesion costing them dearly.
Credit to the SA 'A' side, who had to defend for all of 14 minutes before they could work their way into the SA Schools' half for the first time in the match.
A spectacular try by SA Schools fullback Zekhethelo Siyaya extended the score and had the crowd on their feet.
The 'A'-side attacked strongly, but lost the ball in their opponents' red zone. It was worked back with quick hands and Siyaya set off on a 60m run. It ended under the sticks for the SA Schools side, finished by the fullback with a swallow dive, leaving in his wake numerous defenders beaten by either a step or a dummy. Nela converted for a 14-0 lead halfway through the half.
Altus Rabe was the next on the scoresheet for the SA Schools side after a lineout drive that finally worked, a clear indication that their combinations were starting to find each under as the game progressed. The hooker dotted down at the back of a strong maul. Nela kicked a beauty from the sideline and the score was 21-0 after 28 minutes played.
On the buzzer SA Schools scored again, this time from a smooth backline move from a 5m-scrum. Siyaya ran onto a beautiful drift pass that got him outside of his defender and he dotted down under the posts to give Nela an easy fourth conversion.
The second half saw changes of Bomb Squad dimensions from both teams as coaches gave everyone a run.
One man that was not replaced was Siyaya and he was spot on again four minutes in, although his third try had some element of luck. The backs moved the ball well down the line, the fullback jumped into the line and when his grubber was blocked, it bounced back into his hands with no one in front of him.
Replacement flyhalf Ruben Groenewald converted and the lead jumped to 35-0.
SA 'A' then rallied strongly and were held up over the line 52 minutes in after a good lineout drive, and referee Excellent Mnkomo, who delivered a polished performance, got the call spot-on as the reply showed.
Two minutes later the 'A'-side again were held up, but their pressure told as hooker Thomas Muller scored at the back of his pack's good drive. Replacement scrumhalf Ethan van Biljon converted, and they were finally on the board after 58 minutes.
The SA Schools replied in kind with a maul try of their one, with replacement hooker Clinton Agu scoring. Groenewald converted for a 42-7 lead.
They scored next again, this time following a number of strong pick-and-go's with Gert Kemp (flanker) crashing over, Groenewald extended the lead to 49-7 before SA 'A' replacement flanker Pieter Cilliers barged over from close range, following a number of good drives by his pack.
Tries: Zekhethelo Siyaya (3), Altus Rabe, Jadrian Afrikaner, Clinton Agu, Gert Kemp
Conversions: Liyema Nela (4), Ruben Groenewald (2)
Tries: Thomas Muller, Pieter Cilliers
Conversions: Ethan van Biljon (2)
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
10 hours ago
- The Citizen
Proteas reach tri-series final with seven-wicket victory over Zimbabwe
The SA team will face New Zealand in the T20 series decider in Harare next weekend. Rassie van der Dussen led from the front with an unbeaten half-century against Zimbabwe. Picture: Phill Magakoe/AFP South Africa cruised into the final of the T20 International tri-series in Harare on Sunday, securing a convincing seven-wicket win against Zimbabwe. Drawing level on four points with New Zealand at the top of the table, the Proteas qualified for next weekend's tri-series final (along with the Black Caps), with hosts Zimbabwe settling for third spot. Though there were two games remaining in the league phase of the series, Zimbabwe were left stranded without a win from three matches thus far and could not close the gap. Proteas innings Set a target of 145 runs to win on Sunday, the SA team were guided to victory by a 106-run partnership for the third wicket between Rubin Hermann and captain Rassie van der Dussen. Hermann was removed in the 16th over of the innings after hitting 63 runs off just 36 balls – his maiden century in his third T20 International – and Van der Dussen was unbeaten on 52 after facing 41 deliveries as the skipper carried his team to 145/3 with 16 balls to spare. Seamer Tinotenda Maposa was the best of Zimbabwe's bowlers, taking 2/38. Zimbabwe innings Earlier, after being sent in to bat, Zimbabwe were anchored by opening batter Brian Bennett, who bashed 61 runs off 43 balls. After Bennett was removed in the 16th over, when fast bowler Kagiso Rabada hit his leg stump with a yorker, Ryan Burl contributed an unbeaten 36 off 31 as the home team reached 144/6. Bennett and Burl did not get enough support, however, and the hosts struggled to put up a competitive total against a Proteas bowling attack led by all-rounder Corbin Bosch who took 2/16. South Africa will face New Zealand in a dead rubber match on Tuesday, and the two teams will meet again in the T20 International tri-series final on Saturday.
The Citizen
19 hours ago
- The Citizen
Conrad giving Proteas freedom to experiment, says Van der Dussen
South Africa will face Zimbabwe in their third T20 tri-series match in Harare on Sunday. Being given a chance to express themselves and experiment without too much pressure will ensure the Proteas reap the benefits in the long run, according to stand-in captain Rassie van der Dussen. Having replaced former limited overs coach Rob Walter, who stepped down in April, Shukri Conrad was in charge of a white-ball series for the first time on the ongoing tour of Zimbabwe. And Van der Dussen, who was standing in for regular skipper Aiden Markram, was pleased that Conrad was using the T20 International tri-series as a platform for the second-string SA squad to try new things that could be important to the team's success going forward. After beating Zimbabwe in their tri-series opener earlier this week, the Proteas went on to lose to New Zealand in their second match in Harare. Not all about immediate results While they hoped to bounce back in their next game against the hosts on Sunday (1pm start) Van der Dussen said the players felt comfortable experimenting with their own games, and as a unit, rather than focusing entirely on the result. 'I think what Shukri brings in terms of the environment and mindset is that freedom. We're trying things with freedom, we're trying things that make sense… and it's very relaxed and open,' Van der Dussen said. 'Yes, there's obviously responsibility and we want to win every match we play, but there is encouragement to be the best version of yourself, play the way you want to play and play the way the team wants to play.' Proteas head coach Shukri Conrad. Picture: Henry Nicholls/AFP Looking at the bigger picture Though they fell against New Zealand in their midweek clash, and they would continue to experiment, Van der Dussen felt the Proteas could win their remaining T20 International tri-series games, including next week's final. 'We didn't get it right against New Zealand, but when we get it close to right, the result is going to go our way,' he said. 'There were a few positives there (against the Black Caps) – we tried a few things with our batting line-up and a few of the bowlers tried different fields – and this series is largely here for those types of things. 'We've spoken at length about how we want to play and how we want to go about it, and the mindset, and the reality is that in that sort of transition you're going to get it wrong sometimes, and that's also fine. We keep the bigger picture in mind.'
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Haashim Pead magic dust has been sprinkled on Junior Bok star Vusi Moyo: coach Foote
Junior Springbok head coach Kevin Foote feels playing next to star scrumhalf Haashim Pead has rubbed off positively on flyhalf sensation Vusi Moyo at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy. The SA U20 flyhalf has scored 50 points in the four games he has played to date, the most by any player of the 12 participating teams. He is once again expected to be key to the South African side's play when they face fierce New Zealand in the final on Saturday evening in Rovigo, in what promises to be a thrilling encounter between the two traditional rugby rivals. According to Foote, Moyo has had an unbelievable tournament. 'Vusi puts a lot into his training and has learnt a lot during his time playing next to Haashim, who's more experienced and played here last year,' said Foote. 'We saw what he did against England – kicking from over 50m. He'll take a lot of confidence into the final.' He was speaking from their Italian base of Valpolicella before of the much-anticipated clash. Grit and flair The Junior Boks have impressed throughout the tournament, with their semi-final victory over Argentina showcasing both attacking flair and defensive grit. Speaking to international media ahead of the big game, Foote praised the team's execution and resilience in their semi-final. 'Our strike plays were outstanding, and the defence was gutsy,' said Foote. 'New Zealand back their attack and they've grown in confidence as the tournament has progressed. Like us, they're passionate and composed – it's going to be a great game.' Skipper Riley Norton emphasised the team's belief and unity heading into the final: 'We've spoken a lot about backing ourselves. Pressure is always going to be there – it's been there throughout the tournament. 'But our confidence comes from our preparation. We haven't played in a final for 11 years, so this is a special moment. Each player truly cares for the team. It's less about pressure and more about excitement,' said Norton. Pead – the tournament's leading try scorer with six, plus a handful of try-assists – also credited the coaching staff for giving the backs the freedom to express themselves. 'Our tries have been a result of the platform laid by the coaches,' said the vice-captain. 'They've prepared us so well and given us the freedom to showcase our skills.' For Norton and Pead, the journey to the final has also been shaped by their experiences playing rugby at school level in South Africa – a fiercely competitive environment. 'It prepared us very well for a tournament like this,' said Norton, who captained Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch last year. 'We're used to big games at school, and we've always enjoyed them. Playing in front of huge, passionate crowds back home has definitely helped us handle the pressure.' Pead, who attended Bishops in Cape Town, echoed the sentiment: 'It's great to be part of a game of this magnitude, but it doesn't mean we need to change our preparation or approach. We'll stick to our routine, trust our processes, and enjoy the occasion.' Pead, Norton and Moyo are part of an unchanged Junior Springbok line-up to face New Zealand in the final in Rovigo. Kickoff is at 8.30pm.
