The Eunice High School hockey first team wrapped up a superb season which will see them finish the season ranked first in the country with the triumph of the Free State Cup in Bloemfontein this past weekend.
The Free State side, which is accustomed to winning and breaking records, beat rivals Voortrekker (3-2), and Sasolburg (5-0) in their final match to claim the title.
The trophy adds to the three titles the side won this year, as they also collected the St Mary Waverley Festival, Southern Free State league, and Top 12 school’s tournament before finishing third in the All-girls tournament.
As a result, the side, known for its dominance and enterprising hockey have gone one better this year, improving on the mistakes that might’ve costed them big matches last season.
In an interview with SuperSport Schools, head coach, Nika Coertzen said she was delighted with her team’s overall performance this year, as they managed to reach the targets set out at the beginning of the season.
“The season was long, but every hour that was put in was totally worth it,” she said.
“We are a close knitted family on and off the field.”
“Our goal was set to be the no.1 girls hockey team in South Africa, and we are grateful that we managed to achieve it through hard work and dedication.”
The team, throughout the whole season showed grit and determination to overcome fierce competition.
At the Fairtree Super 12 tournament, the side managed to remain unbeaten in the pool stages, beating the likes of Rhenish, Garsfontein, Durban Girls College, Pearson and Bloemhof.
They then defeated Paarl Gimnasium (3-1) in the final, and that set the side up perfectly for the Free State Cup which in coach, Coertzen’s eyes was challenging.
”The Free State Cup was a challenge due to the seven of our matric players missing out because of exams,” she added.
“But the players that got called did very well.”
“I am exceptionally proud of how the ‘new’ team stepped up.”
“The final match was a display of a good passing game, and I am excited for what this group will do during the next season.”
The school will look back on the season as one of their best – as they managed to etch their names in the history books.
The players who scored in the Free State Cup final against Sasolburg are, Cale Potgieter (2), Trusten Barnard, Zandri Wiid, and Bianca Rees-Gibbs.
PAARL.- The France u18 team produced an emphatic performance, scoring 47 points in the second half to clinch an resounding 85-20 win over a Western Province Invitational side in their final match of the u18 International series on Saturday at Paarl Boys’ High.
The French came into the clash high in confidence on the back of their impressive (37-24) victory against South Africa on Tuesday, whereas Province were thumped (78-15) by England in their first encounter at Stellenberg High School on Tuesday.
Province however, started brightly, getting onto the scoreboard as early as the second minute, when the home side managed to get a penalty in the opposition’s 22-meter line and opted to go to touch for a line out.
That decision proved to be a smart one, as the home side used their forwards to maul and overpower the French defence resulting in hooker Dean Janse van Rensburg scoring the opening try of the match.
Province built momentum from that score, showing signs of improvement in their scrums, accuracy in their clearance kicks and with their wings chasing passionately.
The French, however, weren’t going away and after struggling to capitalize while in Province’s half a couple of times, finally opened their tally in the 12th minute through eighth man and skipper, Ellyjah Ibsaiene who barged his way over the whitewash after several phases and relentless pressure by his side near Province’s try line.
Province were certainly not backing down from the challenge, and after forcing an error from a French player who failed to roll over after making a tackle, the home side were gifted a penalty in front of the poles and stepped-up Daniel van der Merwe to calmy slot it in and regain a three-point lead early in the match.
The two teams, both playing attacking rugby went on to score a try a piece as Province winger, Freek De Kock and France’s inside centre, Quentin Valentino dotted over to make matters even with 15 minutes left in the half.
The visitors then took the match by the scruff of its neck, and scored three unanswered tries through wing, Tom Leveque, scrumhalf, Temanatua Boichot, and centre, Quentin Valentino getting his second of the game to see the visitors take a 38-13 lead at the break.
Looking to build momentum from their first half showing, France started the brightest and after camping in Province’s half for the first few minutes scored through prop Ruben-Diego Pargade. The visitors were not done, as they reached the 50 mark in the 45th minute when the loosehead prop, Edouard-Junior Jabea Njocke barged his way over the whitewash from close range.
If 50 points was anything to go buy, the visitors turned up the tempo even more, and with Province suddenly unable to make tackles, ran rampant in the last 15 minutes of the match.
Tom Emery scored his second of the match, with Tom Leveque grabbing his hat trick in style after chasing down his own kick from his half. Left wing Melvyn Rates also got in on the action, scoring a late brace.
Province finished the match on a high with a second try from Freek De Kock but the dominant second half display resulted in the French claiming an 85-20 win, and in the process ended their international series on a high.
Centre, Quentin Valentino received the man of the match accolade for his two tries scored.
Scorers:
France 85 () – Tries: Tom Leveque (3), Quentin Valentino (2), Tom Emery (2), Melvyn Rates (2), Ellyjah Ibsaiene, Temanatua Boichot, Ruben-Diego Pargade, Edouard-Junior Jabea Njocke, Conversions: Diego Jurd (6), Luka Keletaona (4). WP invitational 20 () – Tries: Freek De Kock (2),Dean Janse van Rensburg. Conversion: Frank Hitimane, Penalty: Daniel van der Merwe.
PAARL, SOUTH AFRICA – AUGUST 19: Gino Cupido of SA U18 schools during the U18 International Series match between South Africa and England at Paarl Boys High School on August 19, 2023 in Paarl, South Africa. (Photo by Carl Fourie/Gallo Images)
PAARL.- SA u18 head coach, Katleho Lynch applauded his team’s gritty performance after they managed to nail and outsmart an unbeaten England side (33-19) in the final round of the u18 International series at Paarl Boys’ High on Saturday.
The host nation came into the clash looking to redeem themselves after losing (37-24) against France in their opening match of the series against an England side that set their horizon on completing a clean sweep having thumped France (41-0) and Western Province (78-15) respectively in their two matches.
South Africa, similar to the start against France were on the backfoot early on when the home side failed to win back a line-out throw inside their half, and with the turnover ball, England stringed a couple of phases which resulted in lock, Junior Kpoku finding his way over the whitewash to open the scoring.
The host nation were quick to respond, and in the 12th minute hit back with a well-worked try by the backline to see vice-captain, JC Mars dot over for his first of the series.
The South Africans however, still showed cracks in defence, allowing England to play in their half with ease, and subsequently, they were made to pay.
After JC Mar’s score, England retained the ball from the kick-off and used their forwards to gain momentum over the advantage line. From the ruck, Flank, Ronan Daniell squeezed in outside centre, Nick Lilley who ran in under the poles untouched.
The two sides then got into a try scoring tussle, with centre Gino Cupido going over for the hosts before England’s Toby Baker restored clarity to cut the gap short and see South Africa lead 21-19 at the halfway mark.
The home side also had a try disallowed after the buzzer hit when the referee judged Siphosethu Mnebelele’s try as a double movement.
The second half proved to be tactical, and well calculated by the host nation.
Not only did they prevent England from scoring again, but the home side ran in two more tries through captain, JJ Theron, and wing Scott Nel to extend their lead by 14 points and stay out of reach.
England continued to pose a threat, but Lynch’s side controlled the tempo of the match, and despite losing Cupido and JC Mars to injury late in the half managed to hold on and seal a 33-19 win.
“Yeah, I’m absolutely stoked, I think the boys have done what we asked them to do,” said Lynch reacting to the match.
“We spoke a lot this week about character, pride and leaving the jersey in a better place and working for the guys that’s next to you, and I think the boys showed that today, it was a great performance.”
The turnaround for South Africa in their two matches was only three days – having played France only on Tuesday. Lynch despite that, made several changes to his starting fifteen, giving players an opportunity while keeping the team cohesion alive.
He admits that he had to use a different strategy to make sure the team was ready for the clash.
“When you get to campaigns like this, it’s important to have the philosophy of “less is more,” he added.
“You have to plan a little bit better; you can’t have two sessions everyday – so focus rather on less field time and more walkthroughs – it’s one of the best ways to actually coach, especially for the players because it’s at a slower pace.”
“That was the focus for us, and watching a lot of footage and I’m just glad it paid off today.”
The crop of the team that featured for the team in this series will likely be included in the u20 training camps for next year’s World Rugby u20 campaign.
The series, besides being an annual event, was also used to ensure that players were ready for international rugby when they take a step up in their career. Lynch believes the group of players they have will slot right in that system.
“The takeaways (from the series), as we’ve been saying throughout is just trying to plan for the future, and focus on the next u20’s, confirming talent, I think there was a lot confirmed today and throughout the two days,” added Lynch.
“We are really blessed with the players, groups, and depth that we have, and taking guys onto the next level. Getting them into the u19 academy, SA Rugby academy, and hopefully the Junior World Cup, that was the goal.”
Scorers:
South Africa 33 (21) – Tries: JC Mars, Gino Cupido, Cheswill Jooste, JJ Theron, Scott Nel. Conversions:Kyle Smith (4). England 19 (19) – Tries: Junior Kpoku, Nick Lilley, Toby Baker. Conversions: Angus Hall (2)
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – AUGUST 15: Jacobus Grobbelaar of South Africa during the U18 International Series match between South Africa and France at Stellenberg High School on August 15, 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)
PAARL.- The SA u18 team will need to stay disciplined and limit errors if victory is anything to come by when they take on an unbeaten England side in their final match of the u18 International series in Paarl on Saturday.
South Africa, come into the must win clash on the back of a disappointing (37-24) defeat at the expense of France in their first clash of the series in Bellville on Tuesday. While England ran riot in both their matches against France (41-0) and the Western Province invitational team (78-15).
In their match against France, Katleho Lynch’s side was totally outplayed in the first half, and their lack of discipline at the breakdown, giving the ball, and possession away resulted in the home side trailing by 23 points at the halfway mark.
The home side attempted to stage a fightback in the second half and looked rather impressive on attack, scoring their first points of the match right after kick-off through scrumhalf replacement, Haashim Pead.
Pead, who was one of the two changes made early in the second stanza with Janco Purchase, stamped his authority on the match, providing quick ball from the ruck, and catching France off guard on numerous occasions.
He went on to score his second try of the match, before Purchase got in on the action with a five pointer of his own, giving South Africa more reason to believe.
That joy would soon be short lived however, when France hit back with two tries of their own through Eliott Duthil, and Gabin Garault, who exposed the cracks in the home side’s defensive system.
Lynch’s side would go on to finish the encounter on a high when Sharks man, Luyanda Kunene dotted over in the corner to bring some respectability to the score.
The four tries, and two conversions scored by South Africa proved to be not enough, as France managed to seal a 13-point victory, and in the process bounced back from that humbling (41-0) defeat against England in their opening match.
Going into the final clash, South Africa have made wholesome changes to the team that faced France during the week.
Firstly, Grey Bloem stalwart JJ Theron has been named captain of the team with speedster JC Mars named as vice-captain.
The duo will no doubt have an impact on how proceedings go in the clash, with Mars having shown glimpses of what he can do on the international stage when he produced an impressive cameo off the bench in the defeat against France.
As for Theron, the Free-State man is no stranger to big occasions having helped Grey College get past some grueling encounters this season, and captaining his country for the first time, in a must win match, he will surely look to make a difference.
Despite the inclusion of Mars and Theron, only four players from the defeat against France managed to keep their spot in the team, and those players are wings Scott Nel and Cheswill Jooste, loose forward Batho Hlekani, and lock Jacobus Grobbelaar.
South Africa will face an English side high in confidence. The clash between the two sides kicks-off at 15:30 at Paarl Boys High.
In the earlier match of the day, Western Province Invitational will take on France at 13:00.
The home side were humiliated by England during the week, despite showing glimpses of attractive rugby late in the first half. They however allowed the English to run all over them in the second half and record that emphatic 78-15 win.
A for France, finishing the series on a high will be the message in the locker room, and having upset hosts South Africa, the French will surely be eyeing a high scoring encounter.
Fixtures:
19 August 2023:
13:00 – France u18 vs Western Province Invitational 15:30 – South Africa u18 vs England u18
The teams:
SA u18 squad:
JC Mars (vice-captain), Scott Nel, Gino Cupido, Janco Purchase, Cheswill Jooste, Kyle Smith, Haashim Pead, JJ Theron (captain), Batho Hlekani, Marno Stopforth, Riley Norton, Jacobus Grobbelaar, Jean Erasmus, Siphosethu Mnebelele, Lithemba Mfupi, Imaani Pemba, Phiwayinkosi Kubeka, Simphiwe Ngobese, Ulrich van der Westhuizen, Xola Nyali, Christiaan van der Westhuizen, Dominic Malgas, Jameel de Jongh, Luyanda Kunene, Thando Biyela.
England u18 squad:
Forwards: Tayo Adegbemile (Saracens, St Albans), Will Conduit (Midlands West, Stourport College), Ronan Daniell (Harlequins, Hurstpierpoint College), Sam Graham (Newcastle Falcons, Durham), Junior Kpoku (Exeter Chiefs, Finborough), Jack Lightbown (Sale Sharks, The Sixth Form Bolton), Alfie Longstaff (Yorkshire Academy, Woodhouse Grove), Jamie Miller (Harlequins, Whitgift), Billy Sela (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff), Solomon Shand (Gloucester Rugby, Hartpury College), Olamide Sodeke (Saracens, Gravesend Grammar), Connor Treacey (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff), Kepueli Tuipulotu (South Central London Academy, Harrow), Charlie West (Saracens, St Albans).
Backs: Toby Baker (Bristol Bears, St Peter’s, York), Jack Bracken (Saracens, St Albans), Ollie Davies (Sale Sharks, Kirkham Grammar), Lucas Friday (Harlequins, Trinity), Charlie Griffin (South Central London Academy, Harrow), Angus Hall (Saracens, The Judd School, Tonbridge), Dom Hanson (Sale Sharks, Stockport Grammar), Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter College), Finn Newton (Saracens, Haileybury), Louie Platt (Yorkshire Academy, Mount St. Mary’s), Toby Wilson (Sale Sharks, Kings Macclesfield), Finlay Wiseman (South Central London Academy, Hampton).
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – AUGUST 15: Jacobus Grobbelaar of South Africa during the U18 International Series match between South Africa and France at Stellenberg High School on August 15, 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)
CAPE TOWN.- The South African u18 team will rue their slow start, and ill-discipline which resulted in Katleho Lynch’s side going down 37-24 at the hands of France in their first match of the U18 International series at Stellenberg High School in Bellville on Tuesday.
South Africa, who came into the match as favourites with the home support behind them, and having thumped France in their previous meeting in last year’s campaign, struggled early in the match and allowed the French to fully get into their stride.
As for France, they came into the match looking to bounce back from their humiliating (41-0) defeat against England in their first match of the series in Paarl last Friday.
The French looked much better as a team from the get-go, applying pressure to the hosts, interlinking well between the forwards and backs, while showing composure in attack and defence in the early exchanges.
The visitors opened their tally early with a penalty from flyhalf, Diego Jurd to take a 3-0 lead.
Three points quickly turned to nine for the French as Jurd slotted in two more penalties to create breathing ground between them and the South Africans.
South Africa, trying as they may to disrupt France at their own game, made silly mistakes in the breakdown, giving away penalties, which allowed the visitors to pounce and build scoreboard pressure.
The visitors then went on to score two tries before the halftime interval through scrumhalf, Temanatua Boichot, and winger, Charly Mignot to extend the lead to 23 points at the halfway point.
The home side, having been treated to a masterclass in the first half were on a mission to stage a comeback in the second stanza, and the home side started the half like a wrecking ball.
The South Africans applied much needed pressure to the French defence and got a penalty inside their 22 meters with just a minute played.
Head coach, Katleho Lynch made crucial changes to his backline in the second half, and one player that repaid the coach’s faith was Haashim Pead.
The scrumhalf dotted over when his side won a penalty in the opposition half. He quickly tipped the ball, sliced his way through the defence untouched to score South Africa’s first points of the match.
That score turned the tide of the match around, making it an end-to-encounter with both sides dotting over the whitewash in quick succession.
First up, France managed to retain the ball from a scrappy lineout, and string together a couple of phases which resulted in Eliott Duthil crashing over for his team’s first of the second half.
On the other hand, another backline replacement for South Africa, Janco Purchase bulldozed his way over the line to bring some respectability to the scoreline before France’s Gabin Garault cancelled that score to lead to 37-14 with 20 minutes to play.
The host nation would then go on to finish the match strongly as they scored two more tries with Pead getting his brace while Luyanda Kunene also got in on the action later on in the match.
Unfortunately for Lynch’s side, the staging of the comeback came too late, as France managed to hold on despite being down to 14 men with flanker, Marceau Marzullo receiving a yellow card for repeated infringements.
Reacting to the match, Lynch attributed the defeated to their lack of discipline which resulted in the several errors that cost them in the first half.
“I think we made too many consecutive errors,” he said.
“It was 3-0, 6-0, 9-0 and then 23-0 and if you’re playing at test match level, conceding those points consecutively makes it difficult to come back but the fight back was commendable,” he added.
With a fired up England side in the corner on Saturday, the coach did however remain optimistic, stating that there were some positives they will take from the defeat.
“There’s lots of positives, just in terms of the message we gave the boys at halftime,” he added.
“We asked for go forward, to get us over the advantage line, I think Haashim (Pead) really brought that to the game and Janco (Purchase) also had a little bit of X-factor to the way we tried to finish off in the second half.”
“We will be better going into Saturday; I think the team was a little bit shocked in terms of how the match started with the intensity and all the other variables that come with it.”
South Africa will play their last match of the u18 series against England at Paarl Boys High on Saturday. Kick-off to that clash is 15:00.
Scorers:
France 37 (23) – Tries: Temanatua Boichot, Charly Mignot, Eliott Duthil, Gabin Garault. Conversions: Diego Jurd (3), Luka Keletaona. Penalties: Jurd (3). South Africa 24 (0) – Tries: Haashim Pead (2), Janco Purchase, Luyanda Kunene. Conversions: Dominic Malgas (2).
CAPE TOWN.– The England U18 team scored a total of 12 tries to secure a resounding 78-15 victory in their second match of the u18 International series against a Western Province Invitational side at Stellenberg High School in Durbanville on Tuesday.
The win also sees the visitors keep their unbeaten record intact after they brushed off France (41-0) in their opening match at Boland Landbou last Friday.
High in confidence, the visitors made wholesome changes to their starting fifteen for the Province encounter resting crucial players with the clash against South Africa on Saturday in mind.
That, however, didn’t affect the English as they put Western Province under immense pressure when they opened the scoring as early as the second minute through winger Finlay Wiseman who was set free by a pass from his flyhalf, Louie Platt.
That score, converted by Platt sparked England to life as they took the ascendency to the home side, dominating the scrums, lineouts and exposing the cracks in Province’s defensive line.
The visitors soon doubled their lead when Platt ran from his own half and managed to collect a kick that bounced off a Province player to score his first try of the match.
It was all England from there on, as three more tries scored by scrumhalf, Dom Hanson, tighthead prop, Sam Graham, and a second for Hanson saw the side open up a convincing lead ahead of the interval.
Province did manage to get onto the scoreboard late in the half with two tries from HB Odendaal, and Frank Hitimane alongside Marno Pretorius’s penalty kick to see the home side trail 33-15 at the halfway point.
The second stanza was just a masterclass in play from the England side. From their five tries scored in the first half, the visitors ranked up the changes and added 43 more points to their tally.
One substitute that stood out was utility back Jack Bracken who bossed proceedings, capitalizing on Province’s poor defence to score a hattrick in spectacular fashion.
Bracken, alongside centre Toby Baker, Charlie West, Angus Hall, and Finn Newton, who all got onto the scoreboard in the second half. Province made it look easy for the visitors and were spectators for most part of the second stanza.
That allowed the English to secure the emphatic 78-15 victory for England.
The visitors will face South Africa in their final match of the U18 International series on Saturday at Paarl Boys High at 15:00.
Scorers:
England 78 (33) – Tries: Jack Bracken (3), Dom Hanson (2), Finlay Wiseman, Louie Platt, Sam Graham, Toby Baker, Charlie West, Angus Hall, Finn Newton. Conversions: Louie Platt (7), Ollie Davies (2). Western Province Invitational 15 (15) – Tries: HB Odendaal, Frank Hitimane. Conversion: Marno Pretorius. Penalty: Pretorius.
CAPE TOWN– There will be two sides of the story on Tuesday at Stellenberg High School when England look to build momentum from the win against France in the first match of the U18 series against a Western Province invitational side, while Wynberg flanker, Xola Nyali will lead South Africa in their first game of the series against France.
England U18 captain Kepueli Tuipulotu believes his team need to stay the course and trust the process when they take on a Western Province Invitational side in their second encounter of the U18 international series in Stellenberg High School on Tuesday.
England, who opened their campaign with an emphatic (41-0) against France at Boland Landbou in Paarl last Friday will go into the match high in confidence and looking to sharpen certain aspects of their game ahead of the big clash against South Africa on Saturday.
In their match against France, Tuipulotu’s side dominated proceedings from the get-go and were clinical in most facets of the match.
The new look, energized team bossed the breakdown battle, won 80% of their lineouts and managed to collect penalties from their powerful scrum led by their rugged front row of Will Conduit, Tuipulotu, and Billy Sela.
Their lock pairing of Junior Kpoku, and Olamide Sodeke were also lively, causing France several issues during line out time and at the breakdown.
The backline, which scored five of the seven tries registered on the day, were breathtaking, playing with confidence, trying out new things with the pace of Angus Hall and Charlie Griffin on the outside, always ready to pounce on every opportunity.
England, however, will approach the Western Province match with a different perspective, that of giving every player an opportunity to play while resting crucial players for the clash against South Africa.
The exhibition match, as many may call it, will also give head coach, Jonathan Pendlebury an opportunity to try out new combinations within his team, testing out what works and what needs fixing days before their final match of the series.
The clash between the English and the Western Province invitational side kicks off at 13:30.
In the final match of the day, host nation South Africa will be in action for the first time in this year’s series when they take on France at 15:00.
The SA u18’s will be captained by Wynberg Boys High skipper, Xola Nyali who also led Western Province to this year’s Craven Week title in George.
Nyali will be assisted by vice-captain, and flyhalf, Ian van der Merwe.
The side boasts the likes of Luyanda Kunene from the Sharks, Jameel de Jongh, Christiaan van der Westhuizen, and Batho Hlekani, just to name a few. On the bench, head coach Katleho Lynch will be spoilt for choices, with 11 quality players to choose from that can come on, and make an impact.
And despite being dealt a late blow when Divan Fuller was forced to withdraw from the squad, Lynch will be happy with his replacement, Riley Norton who slotted in the match day squad.
Fixtures:
15 August 2023:
13:30 – England u18 vs Western Province Invitational 15:00 – South Africa u18 vs France u18
The teams:
England U18 squad: Forwards: Tayo Adegbemile (Saracens, St Albans), Will Conduit (Midlands West, Stourport College), Ronan Daniell (Harlequins, Hurstpierpoint College), Sam Graham (Newcastle Falcons, Durham), Junior Kpoku (Exeter Chiefs, Finborough), Jack Lightbown (Sale Sharks, The Sixth Form Bolton), Alfie Longstaff (Yorkshire Academy, Woodhouse Grove), Jamie Miller (Harlequins, Whitgift), Billy Sela (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff), Solomon Shand (Gloucester Rugby, Hartpury College), Olamide Sodeke (Saracens, Gravesend Grammar), Connor Treacey (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff), Kepueli Tuipulotu (South Central London Academy, Harrow), Charlie West (Saracens, St Albans).
Backs: Toby Baker (Bristol Bears, St Peter’s, York), Jack Bracken (Saracens, St Albans), Ollie Davies (Sale Sharks, Kirkham Grammar), Lucas Friday (Harlequins, Trinity), Charlie Griffin (South Central London Academy, Harrow), Angus Hall (Saracens, The Judd School, Tonbridge), Dom Hanson (Sale Sharks, Stockport Grammar), Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter College), Finn Newton (Saracens, Haileybury), Louie Platt (Yorkshire Academy, Mount St. Mary’s), Toby Wilson (Sale Sharks, Kings Macclesfield), Finlay Wiseman (South Central London Academy, Hampton).
PAARL.- A clinical, dominant, and statement defining performance sealed an emphatic 41-0 win for England in the opening match of this year’s u18 International Series at Boland Landbou in Paarl on Friday.
England controlled and bossed almost every facet of the match, and with their strong forward pack, quick backline and passionate supporters on the stands managed to pull off arguably one of their best wins against the French at this level.
Going into the match, England had lost to France twice in the U18 Six Nations, their latest defeat coming earlier this year, when they went down (23-22).
In this particular clash, there were no glimpses of that, in fact, it looked like it was England that had gone on an unbeaten run.
The encounter began with high tempo, as expected. The first opportunity of the match fell to England winger, Charlie Griffin who broke the line from his own half, put In a kick, chased it only for the French to recover and dot the ball over at the back.
However, it didn’t take long for the men in red and white to register their first score of the day.
Nine minutes in, England received a penalty outside the French 22-meter line when a player failed to roll away.
They then opted to kick for touch, a decision which paid off in the end. From the resulting line-out, the side used its strong pack of forwards and overpowered France to see skipper Kepueli Tuipulotu go over the line.
If there’s one thing France will rue from the match are the chances they missed out on, knocking on three balls in front of the try line.
Those mistakes sparked the English side to life, and they grew in confidence, and started to play with intensity. They doubled their lead when an overlap on the wing saw Angus Hall score his first of two tries.
England just grew in confidence after that and started to experiment with cross-kicks and interlinking play between the forwards and backs.
Inside centre, Toby Baker put in a cross kick that was caught by Nick Lilley before he offloaded the ball to Griffin as he was being tackled, and just like that, Griffin was in for his side’s third of the match.
That try extended the score to (19-0), and with France playing with 14-men after full-back, Thomas Alary received a yellow card for foul play, there was no hope of closing the margin.
The first half ended with England leading (19-0).
At the start of the second stanza, the French side made wholesome changes, putting on a new look front row, scrumhalf, blind-side flanker and centre.
The changes didn’t seem to make any difference, as their opponents picked up from where they left off.
Eight minutes in, the English extended their lead through a try by big prop, Billy Sela, who tipped the ball in front of the try line and stormed over for his first of the match.
Ollie Davies, who had converted two of the three tries scored in the first half, converted Sela’s try, to extend his side’s lead to (29-0).
By then, France were down and out and England just needed to put one more nail in the coffin. They did that by a further two tries when Griffin scored his second of the match before Finlay Wiseman got his name on the scoreboard to seal an emphatic win for his side.
Despite the two opportunities they missed out on, France never challenged England.
They will face South Africa on Tuesday at 15:00 at Stellenberg High School, whereas England will look to do the double when they take on a Western Province invitational side at 13:00.
Scorers:
England 41 (19) – Tries: Angus Hall (2), Charlie Griffin (2), Kepueli Tuipulotu, Billy Sela, Finlay Wiseman. Conversions: Ollie Davies (3). France 0.
CAPE TOWN- “To be clinical, error-free, and pounce on every opportunity” will be the order of the day when the South African u18 team face France in their opening clash of the u18 International series at Stellenberg High School on Tuesday.
South Africa, who are hosting the series in three different locations this year will be faced with the mounting task of reclaiming the title they won in last year’s edition at Paarl Gimnasium.
The stakes are however higher this year, with a number of players in the team looking to make an impression and have their names pencilled down for a place in next year’s U20 squad for the World Rugby Championship to be hosted in South Africa again.
The youngsters, however, will first need to focus on implementing the strategies and orders coming from the hierarchy in head coach Katleho Lynch and his assistant James Winstanley.
The duo of Lynch and Winstanley were both in charge of the team last year, and have selected a rather settled team filled with promising talent that lit up the scene at this year’s Craven week in George, and during the schoolboy season.
On top of that, Lynch and Co have managed to squeeze in their 26-player squad five members of the SA ‘A’ team that went down to the U18 side (36-26) in a warm-up match in July.
Despite the lack of preparation as a squad with players returning to their respective schools after that clash, Lynch believes the boys will be ready to hit the ground running.
“I am feeling very excited for the series. We have a good group which I think will be competitive,” Lynch told SuperSport Schools.
“We also have continuity in the coaching department which does help when it comes to sending our coaching messages across.”
“The biggest thing with the U18 series is that you get limited time to prepare. So, it is key to simplify a lot of what you are coaching,” added the coach.
This year’s campaign of the Craven Week produced some aperitive results which essentially made it more difficult to predict which players would have their names etched into the national team books.
Eventual winners, Western Province who defeated the Blue Bulls (29-5) in the unofficial final boasts seven players in the squad.
The rest of the team is spread across Free State, Golden Lions, The Sharks, and Eastern Province. With the huge pool of players to pick from, Lynch admitted that there were some selection headaches ahead of the series.
“Selection is always a tough one in South Africa,” said the St John man.
“We know that schoolboy rugby is highly competitive and that there is a plethora of talent at hand in all Provinces.”
“I think we are in a good space where there are at least more than three good options in a position.”
“The match against the SA ‘A’ team was a very valuable exercise. It gave the guys some game time, and also for us as coaches to test the players against each other.”
The two clashes against the English and France will also expose some of the players to International rugby for the first time in their careers.
South Africa dominated the series last year, defeating England twice, (40-24) and (44-41) before thumping France (49-17) in Paarl.
The challenge for the players will be to handle the pressure and intensity that comes with facing teams they know close to nothing about.
Compared to schoolboy rugby, the margin of error will be minimal, and players will need to produce full 80-minute performances in every match.
“In International rugby the margins are much smaller. So, you have to be clinical and take opportunities when they come,” Lynch said.
“The higher you go the higher the pressure, so we are also testing players that can execute at the highest level under immense pressure.”
“The objective is to make sure that we are giving u18 players a taste of international rugby.”
“We need to make sure that the players are getting filtered into the U20 system and they know what is expected when they get to that level.”
When asked what he thought the two oppositions would bring to the series, the coach had the following to say:
“I think both will bring different aspects as they both have different strengths.”
“They have a lot of good game breakers and trusted DNA. I think it will be a highly competitive series between all the teams.”
South Africa will kick off their campaign on Tuesday, 15 August against France at Stellenberg High School in Durbanville at 15:00.
The teams:
South Africa u18 squad:
Backs: JC Mars (Western Province), Luyanda Kunene (Sharks), Gino Cupido (Western Province), Janco Purchase (Blue Bulls), Jameel de Jongh (Western Province), Ian van der Merwe (Free State), Haashim Pead (Western Province), Dominic Malgas (Eastern Province), Scott Nel (Western Province), Cheswill Jooste (Golden Lions), Christiaan van der Westhuizen (Free State).
PAARL. – England u18 head coach Jonathan Pendlebury says his side are looking to go the extra mile and improve on last year’s performances when they commence their u18 International series against France in Paarl on Friday.
England, who will also face South Africa, and the Western Province Invitational side during their time in the Mother City and Paarl will look to put right some of the errors that cost them the series last year.
This time around, however, the English side took the flight down to South Africa with a new looking team plus a number of players in the 26-man squad yet to turn 18-years-old.
Despite that, the side is still graced with a pool of talented players selected from clubs like Saracens, Harlequins, the Sale Sharks, and Exeter Chiefs, just to name a few.
In last year’s edition, the team in red and white made multiple errors against South Africa in their first match. Irregardless of the tricky conditions , Pendlebury’s side struggled under the high ball, and their scrums not functioning well, didn’t do them any justice.
The visitors showed up in the second encounter against the SA team, putting in a much more composed and clean performance, and almost caused an upset, losing that match by three points.
In the end, the side would’ve been gutted to lose both fixtures by 40 points and more, despite managing to pick up a victory against the SA U18 ‘A’ side in a nail-biting (36-34) win.
This year, however, the series has come with a different format, one that will see England at this level play France for the first time on African soil.
The two Northern Hemisphere nations are no stranger to the International stage having faced each other in the U18 Six Nations tournament before. Earlier this year, France edged England in the opening round by one point, to claim a (23-22) win.
To correct that result in Cape Town, England will need to use their strong pack, and incorporate their attacking backline flair with good decision making, and taking every opportunity that presents itself.
“The team put in an incredible shift in 2022 and their development as a collective, as well as individuals, was evident – we’re aiming for more of the same this August,” said Pendlebury via England Rugby.
“The boys we have at our disposal are a group with a lot of potential. We have selected from a wide range of clubs, schools, colleges and academies which will only add to the unique blend we are forming here.”
“Our games against France, South Africa as well as Western Province, will offer these players room to express themselves and to explore together as a unit. We can’t wait for what’s in store,” Pendlebury added.
As for the “Les bleus,” they arrived in the Western Cape with no shortage of confidence after a stellar showing during the Six Nations campaign.
France were the only side unbeaten in the three-round campaign, defeating England, Scotland (50-7), and Italy (57-17).
Their record from last year’s series also fairs better than that of England’s even though it may be argued that they defeated a second-string South African side twice.
Those arguments may be entertained; however, what France has managed to do in just a space of a year can never be overlooked.
The junior side will also be looking to draw inspiration from their U20 side that recently won the World Rugby Championship title in the same City.
The series will provide an opportunity for the side to stake their claim, and to even prove that their two victories against the SA ‘A’ side last year were in no way luck. The French will also be banking on the experience of Thomas Marceline, who has faced England three times in his young career already.
The two teams will get the series underway this Friday in Boland Landbou (Paarl) at 15:00.
The teams:
England u18 squad:
Forwards: Tayo Adegbemile (Saracens, St Albans), Will Conduit (Midlands West, Stourport College), Ronan Daniell (Harlequins, Hurstpierpoint College), Sam Graham (Newcastle Falcons, Durham), Junior Kpoku (Exeter Chiefs, Finborough), Jack Lightbown (Sale Sharks, The Sixth Form Bolton), Alfie Longstaff (Yorkshire Academy, Woodhouse Grove), Jamie Miller (Harlequins, Whitgift), Billy Sela (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff), Solomon Shand (Gloucester Rugby, Hartpury College), Olamide Sodeke (Saracens, Gravesend Grammar), Connor Treacey (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff), Kepueli Tuipulotu (South Central London Academy, Harrow), Charlie West (Saracens, St Albans).
Backs: Toby Baker (Bristol Bears, St Peter’s, York), Jack Bracken (Saracens, St Albans), Ollie Davies (Sale Sharks, Kirkham Grammar), Lucas Friday (Harlequins, Trinity), Charlie Griffin (South Central London Academy, Harrow), Angus Hall (Saracens, The Judd School, Tonbridge), Dom Hanson (Sale Sharks, Stockport Grammar), Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter College), Finn Newton (Saracens, Haileybury), Louie Platt (Yorkshire Academy, Mount St. Mary’s), Toby Wilson (Sale Sharks, Kings Macclesfield), Finlay Wiseman (South Central London Academy, Hampton).
France u18 squad:
Thomas Alary (Stade Toulousain), Quentin Algay (CA Brive Corrèze), Temanatua Boichot (Stade Rochelais), Liam Couturier (ABCD XV), Adrien Drault (CABBG), Eliott Duthil (US Colomiers), Tom Emery (US Colomiers), Gabin Garault (Stade Rochelais), Ellyjah Ibsaiene (CABBG), Edouard-Junior Jabea Njocke (RC Massy Essonne), Samuel Jean Christophe (RC Toulon), Diego Jurd (Stade Rochelais), Luka Keletaona (CA Brive Corrèze), Dany Kevin Lamataki (SU Agen), Tom Leveque (Aviron Bayonnais), Nathan Llaveria (Stade Toulousain), Thomas Marceline (Lyon OU), Romeo Martin Bonnard (Stade Toulousain), Marceau Marzullo (Stade Toulousain), Charly Mignot (Lyon OU), Jérémy Nemor (Stade Toulousain), Pierre Cren Ourtaud (Castres Olympique), Ruben-Diego Pargade (CABBG), Bastien Rasal (Aviron Bayonnais), Melvyn Rates (FC Grenoble), Noé Theraube (FC Grenoble), Ethan Tia (Stade Français), Quentin Valentino (Stade Niçois), Luka Keletaona (CA Brive Corrèze), Dany Kevin Lamataki (SU Agen.
The Eunice High School hockey first team wrapped up a superb season which will see them finish the season ranked first in the country with the triumph of the Free State Cup in Bloemfontein this past weekend.
PAARL.- The France u18 team produced an emphatic performance, scoring 47 points in the second half to clinch an resounding 85-20 win over a Western Province Invitational side in their final match of the u18 International series on Saturday at Paarl Boys’ High. 
CAPE TOWN- “To be clinical, error-free, and pounce on every opportunity” will be the order of the day when the South African u18 team face France in their opening clash of the u18 International series at Stellenberg High School on Tuesday.