Blog

Junior Springbok coach Dawie Theron has made eight changes to his match-23 for Saturday’s Pool B match at the World Under-20 Championship against Samoa in Parma, Italy.

Four of these players will make a first start for the team, although only right wing Grant Hermanus will make a run-on debut in the tournament. Mzamo Majola (prop), Hyron Andrews (lock), Jacques Vermeulen (flank) and EW Viljoen (fullback) are all on the bench.

As part of his player management process at the World Rugby Under-20’s, Theron also made three changes to his pack of forwards. Hooker Joseph Dweba, Jason Jenkins (lock) and Dan du Preez (No 6 flank) will start on Saturday in Parma after all three saw action from the bench against Italy.

It means the Du Preez twins, Dan and Jean-Luc, will play together in the starting team for the first time in Italy.
Theron commented as follows on the several changes: “The changes are all part of our process to manage the players effectively during the tournament. There is a short turnaround time between matches and we must make use of our full squad.”

He says his team have prepared well for Samoa: “We expect Samoa to be very physical against us. They were competitive and very physical against Australia and we can expect the same on Saturday. They are also prepared to run the ball from anywhere so we will have to be on our guard with our defense.”

Kick-off is at 18h30 and the match will be shown live on SuperSport and also on the World Rugby streaming on the Internet.

The Junior Springbok team to face Samoa Saturday in Parma:

15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Grant Hermanus, 13 JT Jackson, 12 Daniel du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Brandon Thomson, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Hanro Liebenberg (captain), 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Dan du Preez, 5 RG Snyman, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Jan van der Merwe, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 Frans van Wyk, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Jacques Vermeulen, 21 Marco Janse van Vuren, 22 Tinus de Beer, 23 EW Viljoen.

Issued by SARU Corporate Affairs

The Junior Springboks are leaving no stone unturned in their preparations for the next World Rugby Under-20 Championship match against Samoa in Parma in Italy on Saturday.

The clash at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi Stadium starts at 18h30 and is the second Pool B outing for South Africa following their 33-5 defeat of Italy on Tuesday in Calvisano.

On Wednesday Junior Boks, coach Dawie Theron, opted for an early evening training session at the Zebre Rugby Club fields in Parma instead of the usual late afternoon field workout.

Theron and his two assistant coaches, Dean Davids (forwards) and Nazeem Adams (backs) have been working hard to prepare the team’s tactical approach for the expected physical encounter against the Pacific Islanders.

The two teams also clashed at the same stage last year in New Zealand last year, with South Africa eventually winning 21-8 after a very physical match played in driving rain in Pukehoke.

On Tuesday Samoa suffered a 34-22 reverse against Australia on match day one but Theron nevertheless expects a strong, fiery performance from Samoa against his team.

The SA U20 coach was not happy with many aspects of the Junior Bok performance against Italy, but believes his team will play better in their second match.

“Italy had a good kicking game and they played with a lot of determination in front of their supporters, which we expected. Samoa will bring a different challenge and we will have to be patient and more clinical at the breakdown,” added Theron.

The South Africans have so far only conceded five points – the best defensive effort of the 12 teams – and their coach again emphasised the importance of good defense. Only the three pool winners and best second placed team will go through to the semi-finals.

“We have a very competitive pool and good defense is therefore vital. We made too many handling mistakes against Italy and that is something we cannot afford again because Samoa have the ability to hurt you from turnovers,” cautioned Theron.

His squad will finish their match preparations with the Captain’s Run in Parma tomorrow evening and the match-23 to play against Samoa will be confirmed on Friday.

 

The Junior Springboks started World Rugby’s Under-20 Championship in solid fashion in Calvisano on Tuesday, beating tournament hosts Italy 33-5 in a six-try affair.

The South Africans had a 21-5 lead at the break and was never extended in the second half, adding two tries to the three scored in the first half.

Start of play was delayed as the South African bus took a wrong turn on their way to the stadium and it seemed to impact on the concentration levels of the team.

The Junior Boks started well with a strong rolling maul from the kick-off and early territory, but it was Italy who struck first.

With South Africa strong on attack, a turnover 70 meters out saw winger Yannick Agbasse break clear and sprint all the way to the other side of the field. 

This sparked the South Africans into life. They countered immediately through an attacking line-out and hooker Jan van der Merwe crashed over from close range for his team’s first points in the tournament. Flyhalf Brandon Thomson slotted the conversion to pull the Junior Boks 7-5 in front after 16 minutes.

The Junior Boks kept plugging away at the Italian defence, but twice spilled the slippery ball with the try line begging. The hosts used the boot to good effect when in possession with a number of kicks behind the South African back three. 

From such a kick though, Warrick Gelant danced through, but was impeded and Italian lock Davide Zanetti was given a yellow card in the 32nd minute. South Africa called another attacking line-out with Italy a man down and when the home side deliberately pulled down the maul, penalty try was awarded to SA. Thomson converted for a 14-5 lead.

Two minutes later captain Hanro Liebenberg was rewarded for a good kick chase as Italy fumbled at the back and the no8 pounced. Thomson kicked a third conversion to take the lead and halftime score to 21-5.The second half started promisingly for the Junior Boks as lock RG Snyman raced away, but he was called back as the ball did not travel the required ten meters for the kick-off.

Good defence by Italy and some indecisive play by Liebenberg’s troops confirmed the status quo in the next 15 minutes, but another good run by Liebenberg sparked his side into action as they slowly pushed the Italians deeper and deeper into a defensive mindset. Some handling errors with the wet ball did not advance their cause though. They reverted back to the line-out drive following a penalty and Rikus Bothma was driven over by the pack for the bonus point try. 

The conversion by replacement flyhalf Tinus de Beer was wide.

Theron called on his bench with a quarter to play, and Frans van Wyk provided the needed spark, despite a yellow card to RG Snyman after 73 minutes which saw the Junior Boks playing out the match with 14 players. Van Wyk scored a good team try and his team finally found some rhythm on attack near the end of the game. 

Junior Springboks captain Hanro Liebenberg afterwards admitted that it was a slow start for his team.

“It was a rusty start for us and we have no excuses. Italy always play fast running rugby and did well. We can improve our line-outs and ball control, although the ball was wet and it was difficult conditions. We did better in the second half, but the first half was poor,” the captain said.

The summer heat took its toll on both teams, with several players struggling with cramps midway through the second half.

Scorers: 

South Africa 33 (21). Tries: Jan van der Merwe, Hanro Liebenberg, Rikus Bothma, Frans van Wyk, penalty try. Conversions: Brandon Thomson (3), Tinus de Beer. Italy 5 (5). Try: Yannick Agbasse

Issued by SARU Corporate Affairs

 

 

Junior Springbok coach Dawie Theron has confirmed his starting line-up for their World Rugby Under-20 Championship opening clash on Tuesday against hosts Italy in Calvisano.
Number8 Hanro Liebenberg will lead out a Junior Springbok match-23 sprinkled with several players who also took part in last year’s event in New Zealand, where they lost by a single point against defending champions England.

Theron stuck mainly to the combinations that earned his team a morale-boosting 2-0 series win over Los Pumitas last month in Argentina.

Cell C Sharks prop Thomas du Toit will anchor the scrum and is one of the players that will participate in his second successive tournament, as well as lock Abongile Nonkontwana (Vodacom Blue Bulls) and Jean-Luc du Preez (Cell C Sharks). Another survivor from last year, Joseph Dweba (hooker, Toyota Free State Cheetahs), will play off the bench.

Theron opted for a strong forward pack while the backline has a settled look.

Warrick Gelant is also returning for his second tournament in a row and the Springbok Sevens international starts in the No 15 jersey. Much is expected of the centre pairing of JT Jackson (Vodacom Blue Bulls) and Daniel du Plessis (DHL Western Province), in particular.

“This is a well balanced team and the squad is overall in good shape. We have done a lot of mental preparation for this match because Italy will come out fighting all the way,” said coach Theron.

Junior Springbok team to face Italy on Tuesday evening in Calvisano (Live on SS1, 20h30):

15. Warrick Gelant (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
14. Khanyo Ngcukana (DHL Western Province)
13. Daniel du Plessis (DHL Western Province)
12. JT Jackson (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
11. Leolin Zas (DHL Western Province)
10. Brandon Thomson (DHL Western Province)
9. Ivan van Zyl (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
8. Hanro Liebenberg (Vodacom Blue Bulls, captain)
7. Jean-Luc du Preez (Cell C Sharks)
6. Rikus Bothma (DHL Western Province)
5. RG Snyman (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
4. Abongile Nonkontwana (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
3. Thomas du Toit (Cell C Sharks)
2. Jan van der Merwe (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
1. Ox Nche (Toyota Free State Cheetahs)
Replacements
16. Joseph Dweba (Toyota Free State Cheetahs)
17. Njabulo Gumede (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
18. Frans van Wyk (DHL Western Province)
19. Jason Jenkins (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
20. Dan du Preez (Cell C Sharks)
21. Marco Jansen van Vuren (Xerox Golden Lions)
22. Tinus de Beer (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
23. Malcolm Jaer (EP Kings)

 

Oakdale Landbou came out on top 24-17 against Outeniqua in George in their annual clash. The Wit Bulle from Riversdal claimed with this victory the unofficial title of the top team in the South Western Districts. 

Paarl Boys’ High kept their unbeaten record intact with a convincing 43-7 victory over Tygerberg. Paul Roos Gimnasium also bagged a good victory of 32-7 over Rondebosch Boys’ High.

Scorers: 

Oakdale Landbou 24 (9) – Tries: Ewan Coetzee, Boeta Hamman. Conversion: Darren Adonis. Penalties: Adonis (3). Drop Goal: Hamman. Outeniqua 17 (17) – Tries: Luvuyo Ndevu, Darryl Kameel. Conversions: Manie Libbok (2). Penalty: Libbok.

Diocesan College (Bishops) 26 (7) – Tries: Tristan Leyds (3), Penalty Try. Conversions: Cornel Smit (3). Wynberg Boys’ High 19 (12) – Tries: Labib Kannemeyer (2), Stephen Matthew. Conversions: Dominic Coetzer (2).

Paarl Boys’ High 43 (33) – Tries: Khanya Ncusane (2), JC van Schalkwyk, Leo Kruger, Rayhan Lombard, Manuel Ras, MC de Jongh. Conversions: Jandré Grobler (4). Tygerberg 7 (7) – Try: Juarno Augustus. Conversion: Tian Heyneke.

SACS 34 (17) – Tries: Lance Steytler (2), Rau-ees Arendse (2), Dylan Hadzigrigoriou, Tumi Mogoje. Conversions: Jordan Chait (2). Durbanville 10 (0) – Try: Rowan Wolmarans. Conversion: Emcé van der Walt. Penalty: Van der Walt.

Brackenfell 36 (14) – Tries: Jean-Marc Fuchs (3), Rynard Groenewald, Keith Ntuntwana. Conversions: Branden de Kock 4). Penalty: De Kock. Strand 11 (8) – Try: Armier Oliver. Penalties: Oliver, Jandré Koekemoer (skrumskakel).

Monumentpark 12 (5) – Tries: Daniël Tredoux, Likho Memami. Conversion: Muré Pickard. Bellville THS 12 (9) – Penalties: James Ockhuis (4).

Stellenberg 57 (21) – Tries: Lance Jurgens (3), Schalk Carstens, Nick Portgieter, Ricardo Duarttee, Handré van Zyl, Richard Aucamp, Chad Crathorne. Conversions: Carstens (6). Hottentots-Holland 0.

Milnerton 9 (6) – Penalties: Bradley Smith (3). Bellville South 8 (3) – try: Marcelino Marwood. Penalty: Angelo Giddions.

President 22 (10) – Tries: Charl Christensen, Armando Vlotman, JP Campbell. Conversions: Divan Snyman (2). Penalties: Snyman. Table View 3 (3) – Penalties: Keegan Hall. 

Bellville HS 29 (15) – Tries: Ryan Muller (2), Luan Fouché, Donovan Huisamen. Conversions: Marco Stassen (3). Penalty: Stassen. Worcester Gimnasium 15 (5) – Tries: Steyn Olivier, Julian Lodewyk. Conversion: Adriaan van der Bank. Penalty: Van der Bank.

Hermanus 29 (6) – Tries: Chrisham Lucas, Justice Jacobs, James Mao-Cheia. Conversion: Kayno Temmers. Penalty: Temmers (4). Bredasdorp 11 (6) – Try: Dirk Uys. Penalties: John Snyders (2).

Swartland 33 – Tries: Dylan Nel, Aiden Davids, Alex Kriel, Charlie Gerber, Reece Bocks. Conversions: Fabian November (4). Vredenburg 7 – Tries: Wyno Julies. Conversion: Emilio Potgieter (losskakel).

Vredendal 28 – Tries: Stiaan Nel, Mario Saal, JP Nortjé. Conversions: Schalk-Willem Laing (2). Penalties: Laing (3). Porterville 9 – Penalties: Corben Isaacs (2). Drop Goal: Isaacs.

Other Results:

u19A: Rondebosch 7, Paul Roos 32; D.F.Malan 22, Primrose-klub 14; Fairmont 8, Parel Vallei 7; Tygerberg-klub 48, Eben Dönges 5; Parow 24, Caledonian Roses-klub 10; Fairbairn 29, J.G.Meiring 22. Westerford 0, The Settlers 29; Edgemead 21, Bosmansdam 10; Melkbosstrand 12, Somerset-kollege 44; Excelsior 9, Groote Schuur 3; Scottsdene 31, Macassar 12; Lutzville 36, Clanwilliam Sek 12; HS Langenhoven 15, Bonnievale 10; Swellendam 17, Montana 15; De Villiers Graaff 13, Montana 8; Porterville 15, Schoonspruit 10.

u19B: Wynberg 10, Bishops 14; HJS Paarl 57, De Kuilen A 6; Durbanville 6, SACS 20; Strand 7, Brackenfell 15; Monumentpark 3, HTS Bellville 0; Stellenberg 71, HHH 0; D.F.Malan 60, Primrose-klub 0; Fairmont 38, Parel Vallei 12; Tygerberg-klub 45, Eben Dönges 0; Fairbairn 17, J.G.Meiring 10; Westerford 10, The Settlers 7; Worcester Gim 6, HS Bellville 5; Bredasdorp 0, Hermanus 41; Swartland 43, Vredenburg 0; Porterville 26, Schoonspruit 35;Oakdale 14, Outeniqua 23.

u16A: Wynberg 43, Bishops 0; HJS Paarl 60, HS Tygerberg 0; Durbanville 0, SACS 43; Strand 8, Brackenfell 8; Monumentpark 16, HTS Bellville 17; Stellenberg 38, HHH 0; D.F.Malan 10, Primrose-klub 14; Bellville-Suid 32, Milnerton 10; Table View 8, President 8; Fairmont 21, Parel Vallei 59; Parow 24, Caledonian Roses-klub 0; Westerford 0, The Settlers 15; Edgemead 19, Bosmansdam 17; Melkbosstrand 12, Somerset-kollege 17; Excelsior 12, Groote Schuur 17; Scottsdene 17, Macassar ; Worcester Gim 14, HS Bellville 17; Bredasdorp 0, Hermanus 12; Swartland 20, Vredenburg 12; Porterville 7, Schoonspruit 33; Oakdale 11, Outeniqua 8.

u15A: Wynberg 34, Bishops 5; HJS Paarl 75, Tygerberg 0; Durbanville 26, SACS 24; Strand 15, Brackenfell 21; Monumentpark 12, HTS Bellville 13; Stellenberg 74, HHH 0; D.F.Malan 59, Primrsoe-klub 0; Bellville-Suid 9, Milnerton 6; Table View 32, President 11; Fairmont 50, Parel Vallei 0; Tygerberg-klub 24, Eben Dönges 7; Fairbairn 15, J.G.Meiring 8; Westerford 8, The Settlers 5; Edgemead 12, Bosmansdam 17; Melkbosstrand 15, Somerset-kollege 12; Excelsior 19, Groote Schuur 7; Scottsdene 12, Macassar 12; Worcester Gim 5, HS Bellville 14; Bredasdorp 0, Hermanus 49; Swartland 42, Vredenburg 7; Porterville 19, Schoonspruit 5; Oakdale 31, Outeniqua 7.

u14A: Wynberg 21, Bishops 7; HJS Paarl 53, Tygerberg 0; Durbanville 19, SACS 8; Strand 62, Brackenfell 0; Monumentpark 21, HTS Bellville 7; Stellenberg 40, HHH 0; D.F.Malan 22, Primrose-klub 5; Table View 7, President 10; Fairmont 14, Parel Vallei 24; Tygerberg-klub 14, Eben Dönges 0; Fairbairn 14, J.G.Meiring 0; Westerford 19, The Settlers 23; Edgemead 38, Bosmansdam 0; Melkbosstrand 12, Somerset-kollege 14; Excelsior 7, Groote Schuur 7; Scottsdene 12, Macassar 10; Worcester Gim 12, HS Bellville 15; Bredasdorp 13, Hermanus 5; Swartland 33, Vredenburg 0; Oakdale 7, Outeniqua 46.

There were not much movement in our latest raknings. Paarl Boys’ High kept their spot on top of the rankings with their convincing 43-7 victory over Tygerberg to keep their unbeaten record intact.

Paarl Gimnasium didn’t play, while Oakdale Landbou defeated Outeniqua by 24-17 in their annual clash. Paul Roos Gimnasium also secured a good victory over Rondebosch Boys’ High.

Grey College clash against Louis Botha was moved to next term due to the fact that the exams has already started.  

Please note that matches against invitation sides and international schools are not counted towards our rankings. These results will however appear in the individual schools’ results.

To see each team’s results so far this season click on their name in the rankings. If you see any results missing please don’t hesitate to contact Hannes Nienaber via e-mail on hannes@schooolofrugby.co.za – and please feel free to discuss and differ from us in the comments section.

The Rankings:

Ranking	Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points F	Points A
1	Paarl Boys’ High	13	13	0	0	377	149
2	Paul Roos Gimnasium	8	7	0	1	261	85
3	Oakdale Landbou	9	8	0	1	385	98
4	Paarl Gimnasium	9	7	1	1	327	135
5	Affies	11	8	1	2	412	138
6	Monument	14	11	0	3	564	192
7	SACS	11	9	0	2	286	178
8	Grey College	12	8	1	3
9	Outeniqua
10	EG Jansen
11	Grey High School
12	Welkom Gimnasium
13	Eldoraigne
14	Noord-Kaap
15	Michaelhouse
16	Diocesan College
17	Selborne College
18	Dale College
19	Rondebosch Boys’ High
20	Nelspruit
21	Jeppe Boys’ High
22	Potchefstroom Gimnasium
23	Maritzburg College
24	Worcester Gimnasium
25	Helpmekaar
26	Stellenberg
27	Marlow Landbou
28	Hugenote (Wellington)
29	Westville Boys’ High
30	Brackenfell