Academy beat schools - again
Match report
The South African Academy side beat the South African Schools side 30-24 in the lunchtime match at Loftus on Saturday, a curtainraiser to the Tri-Nations Test. The Academy thoroughly deserved the victory.
This is like to produce much wise nodding in certain quarters and a lot of I-told-you-so, for the South African Schools side produced more than the usual amount of criticism this year, especially with the omission of some Golden Lions' players.
It was not a scintillating match but one which the Academy controlled though they led only 8-5 at the break and even though they found the scrummaging tough going.
PJ Vermeulen, the strong Griqua centre, had opened the scoring with a try for the Schools.
Big Wynand Willis of the Blue Bulls went powerfully for the equalising try and then Burton Francis of the Leopards put his side ahead. The Schools did not regain the lead.
The Leopards' fullback, speedy Johan Jackson, opened the scoring in the second half.
Mpumalanga's flyhalf, Ruan Boshoff, on for Burton, then kicked a penalty goal to make it 16-5. . In 2004 Boshoff scored 18 points for the Academy when they beat the Schools 35-26.
Ghaliel Markus, a latish replacement on the right wing for the Academy scored their next try to which the Schools replied with two tries by Eastern Province's Aubrey McDonald in quick succession after which Markus scored again with four minutes to go. At the death the Schools got a final try by Eastern Province lock/flank Vincent Gwavu.
Scorers:
For SA Schools:
Tries: Vermeulen, McDonald 2, Gwavu
Cons: Watermeyer 2
For SA Academy:
Tries: Willis 2, Jackson, Markus
Cons: Boshoff 2
Pens: Francis, Boshoff.
Teams:
South African Schools: 15 Christopher Micklewood (KwaZulu Natal), 14 Christopher Juries (Eastern Province), 13 PJ Vermeulen (Griquas), 12 Stefan Watermeyer (Blue Bulls), 11 Charlton Prinsloo (South Western Districts), 10 André Smith (Western Province), 9 Marlon Lewis (Eastern Province), 8 Dewald Potgieter (Eastern Province) (captain), 7 Pieter Meyer (Blue Bulls), 6 Conraad Britz (South Western Districts), 5 Giant Nkosi (Golden Lions), 4 Hendrik Roodt (Leopards), 3 Joseph Oosthuizen (Free State), 2 Divan Kapp (Pumas), 1 Zander de Kock (Falcons).
Replacements: 16 Edgar Marutlulle (Leopards), 17 Riacco Ellerd (Griquas), 18 Hansie Moolman (Pumas), 19 Vincent Gwavu (Eastern Province), 20 Mandilakhe Tile (Border), 21 Morné Jooste (Western Province), 22 Aubrey McDonald (Eastern Province).
Coaches: Paul Anthony, Gerald Antonie, Donald Ngwenya
SA Schools Academy: 15 Johan Jackson (Leopards), 14 Wynand Willis (Blue Bulls), 13 Senzo Sibiya (KwaZulu Natal), 12 JJ Pienaar (Golden Lions), 11 Ghaliel Markus (Golden Lions), 10 Burton Francis (Leopards), 9 Grant Paulse (Boland), 8 Okkie Kruger (Blue Bulls), 7 Kirwan Frieslaar (Eastern Province), 6 Johan van Deventer (Golden Lions) (captain), 5 Mnutsi Mabeta (Blue Bulls), 4 Marnus van Huysteen (Golden Lions), 3 Frik Kirsten (Blue Bulls), 2 Michael Lockyear (Western Province), 1 Henri-Willem Eedveldt (Blue Bulls).
Replacements: 16 Adrian Lodewyk (South Western Districts), 17 Charl du Plessis (Golden Lions), 18 Blake Wuth (KwaZulu Natal), 19 Cameron Peverett (Western Province), 20 Clayton Steward (Western Province), 21 Ruan Boshoff (Pumas), 22 Marvin Christians (Western Province).
Coaches: Ezzard Alexander, Ndumiso Memani. Pine Marais
Referee: François Veldsman (Boland)