SA Schools comprehensively outclass Namibia

August 30 - The SA Schools side on Saturday ran in 14 tries as they comprehensively outclassed the Namibian U19s during their 92-21 victory at the Raiders Rugby Club in Johannesburg. The hosts played an enjoyable brand of champagne rugby as they dominated their opponents in all facets of play. They were superior up front, controlled the breakdown and spread the ball out wide to their speedy wings throughout the game. The exciting backline, spearheaded by the talented Grey College flyhalf Johan Goosen dictated play with his excellent ball skills, while the centre combination of William Small-Smith and Andile Jho troubled regularly troubled their opponents on defence. SA Schools winger Leroy Bitterhout, who starred for the Boland Cavaliers during last month’s Coca-Cola Under-18 Craven Week in Welkom ran in three tries.    Goosen notched up 28 points after he scored two tries and converted nine five-pointers while his fellow Grey College teammate Paul Jordaan added two conversions late in the second half. The Free State flyhalf was also one of the standout performers at the 2010 Coca-Cola Under-18 Craven Week. He continued his excellent form with the SA Schools after he also represented the SA Under-18 High Performance team during their international friendlies against England, France and Namibia XVs. Small-Smith, who will further his rugby career with Paul Treu’s Springbok Sevens squad from 2011, captained the SA Schools side and ran in one of his side’s tries. Jho and Jordaan also added their names to the try-scorers sheet as did winger JP Lewis, No 8 Nardus van der Waldt, scrumhalf Rudi van Rooyen, replacement scrumhalf Kevin Luiters, substitute centre Tshotsho Mbovane and reserve hooker Anrich Bitzi. The Namibia U19s managed to run in three tries which were scored by Ranthony Bekker, Nico de Jager and Jurie Loois. The five-pointers were converted by Daniel Bock (2) and Chase Diergaardt.   “We struggled in the initial stages of the game to find our momentum due to the fact that the guys only spent a few days together preparing for the game,” said Small-Smith. “However after we found our rhythm we ended up playing some champagne rugby. The guys enjoyed the outing and I am very happy with the way things went. We scored some great tries and compliments to the team for putting on a great show on Saturday. “Every player in our squad was given an opportunity we are all very happy with the experience.”    Scorers: SA Schools – Tries: Leroy Bitterhout (3), Johan Goosen (2), JP Lewis, William Small-Small, Andile Jho, Nardus van der Waldt, Rudi van Rooyen, Paul Jordaan, Kevin Luiters, Tshotsho Mbovane, Anrich Bitzi; Conversions: Goosen (9), Jordaan (2). Namibia U19s – Tries: Ranthony Bekker, Nico de Jager, Jurie Loois; Conversions: Daniel Bock (2), Chase Diergaardt.