Craven Week: Free State roll Namibia
Free State bounced back from their day one defeat to beat Namibia 43-19 on Wednesday at the Craven Week in Stellenbosch.
It was a valiant effort by the Namibians in a scintillating display of running rugby but it was not to be as Free State outscored South Africa's neighbours by seven tries to three.
Free State came out firing looking to make amends for their Round One defeat to the Griffons but it was Namibia who probed the try-line first after some good hands released wing Marco de Vos in space but he was tackled out just short of the line.
Namibia were relentless in the first ten minutes and after a missed penalty kick from Cliven Loubser, Namibian flank Christiaan Ras made up for it with a fantastic bulldozing solo effort shrugging off four defenders and running 50 metres to score a try. Loubser this time converted the kick as Namibia took the lead 7-0 after ten minutes.
Adding insult to injury – the Free State left wing Luciano Jones was sin binned after the try had been scored for coming in the side off the ball.
Free State began to gather some momentum, playing with continuity as they made their way down to Namibia territory. After receiving a penalty for offside, Free State kicked for touch and rolled a maul over the try-line with big lock Kian Skippers touching down for the five-pointer. Flyhalf Christiaan Schutte couldn't level the scores as his conversion sailed wide.
Free State were using their superior set-pieces to great effect as they began to look more dangerous, however Namibia's willingness to run the ball and play enterprising rugby was paying off as they held the lead and see-saw battle continued.
Scrumhalf Armondo van Wyk took over the kicking duties for Namibia however he couldn't extend their lead as he missed Namibia's third penalty attempt for poles – nine points going a begging.
On the stroke of half-time Free State scored their second try of the game from a well-worked move as scrumhalf Rewan Kruger through a no-look inside pass to No.8 Hardus Nel. Schutte converted the kick and the Free State took the lead 12-7 at half-time.
Free State started the second-half with a bang and their risky behaviour of opting for touch over poles when a penalty came their way paid off for the men in orange. A second rolling maul was used to great effect as Skipper scored his second try of the game. Flyhalf Schutte converted his second kick of the game.
Free State went up a gear and were becoming a handful for Namibia. Daniel Rust crashed over for his first try of the game and Free State's fourth. Schutte once again added the extra two points.
Namibia were struck another blow when Nelius Theron was sent to the sin bin for ten minutes. Free State capitalised immediately on the extra man as fullback Neil Durow finished off a good backline move to score Free State's fifth try.
Free State were in a commanding position with a 31-7 lead but Namibia were not done yet and flyhalf Loubser scored an exceptional team try consisting of good support and slick passing. Loubser converted his own try to narrow the gap to just 23 points.
Namibia, with a man down, crept even closer with another brilliant try moments later – scrumhalf Van Wyk this time scoring a well worked counter attack from Namibia.
Any hopes of a Namibian comeback were squashed went Free State flank Jurie Burger picked up a ball at a ruck five metres from the Namibian try line and powered his way over for a five pointer.
Burger scored his second of the game and Durow added the extras bringing the game to full time.
Man of the match: Jurie Burger
Scorers:
For Free State:
Tries: Skippers 2, Nel, Rust, Durow, Burger 2
Cons: Schutte 3, Durow
For Namibia:
Tries: Ras, Loubser, Van Wyk
Cons: Loubser 2
Teams:
Free State: 15 Niel Durow, 14 Godfrey Simelane, 13 Francois Agenbag, 12 Philippus Serfontein, 11 Luciano Jones, 10 Christiaan Schutte, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Hardus Nel, 7 Jurie Burger, 6 Dian Schoonees, 5 Kian Skippers, 4 George Rossouw (Captain), 3 Gideon Beukes, 2 Daniel William Rust, 1 Kanya Gela.
Replacements: 16 Johannes Brits, 17 Ignatius Prinsloo, 18 Kagiso Marumo, 19 Siyabonga Luwaca, 20 Jabo Mtshatsheni, 21 Kyle Kermis, 22 Tyrell Heyns.
Namibia: 15 Andre van der Berg, 14 Marco de Vos, 13 Tristan Mouton, 12 Brandon Groenewald, 11 Alastair Miller, 10 Cliven Loubser, 9 Armondo Van Wyk, 8 Riaan De Klerk, 7 Prince Gaoseb, 6 Christiaan Ras, 5 Lebeau Du Preez, 4 Johannes Poggenpoel, 3 Norman Erasmus, 2 Stefan Hattingh, 1 Nelius Theron.
Replacements: 16 Darius Von Solms, 17 Jano Rieckert, 18 Daniel Joubert, 19 TK Katjivi, 20 Jay-C Olivier, 21 Chad Plato, 22 Tobie Van Zyl.
Referee: Fernando Uithaler
Assistant referees: Oregopotse Rametsi, Renier Vermeulen
TMO: Jaco Pretorius
