Boys' successes at AYOF
The South African Under-18 team hat the Australian Youth Olympic Festival has had an outstanding first day in the Sevens competition at the Jesuit school, St Ignatius, at Riverview on Sydney Harbour.
The girls' team, made up mainly of Under-16 players, suffered three heavy defeats in their four matches.
There are just five countries taking part in each group.
The boys won all four of their matches and ended ranked No.1 with a free passage into the semifinals on Saturday. They conceded only two tries, both against Australia.
The girls will play Japan in the quarterfinals.
It was the hottest day ever recorded in Sydney and five sporting events had to be called off.
Boys' Results
SA vs Japan 58-0
SA vs Tonga 38-0
SA vs China 73-0)
SA vs Australia 30-12
Marius Schoeman, team manager and assistant coach, praised the excellent team effort of the promising squad, saying: “The guys stuck to the basics and executed our game plan very well, but there is always room for improvement.
“Our aim is to win the tournament. However, the guys have their feet firmly on the ground and realise they have a huge task ahead of them tomorrow.”
Girls' Results
Japan vs SA 32-0
Australia vs SA 52-7
SA vs Tonga 38-0
China vs SA 41-0
Bonakele Sibiya of the Golden Lions created a bit of local history when she became the first player to score a try for the SA U18 Women on foreign soil. Her effort was South Africa’s only reply in their 52-7 loss against tournament host and favourites, Australia.
Denver Wannies, the SA Under-18 Women’s coach, said afterwards his team was overwhelmed by the occasion. They did manage to regain some composure, which resulted in a morale-boosting win over Tonga.
Wannies said: “This tournament is the first overseas experience for our young team and they were overawed in the first two games.
“Our concentration was much better in our third match against Tonga. Tomorrow we have a good chance to test ourselves against a very skilful Japan team.”
The SA Under-18 Sevens squads are:
Boys: Lungelo Gosa (Border), EW Viljoen (Free State), Marius Louw (Free State), Matjikinyane Molapo (Limpopo), Willandre Kotzenberg (Pumas), Warrick Gelant (South Western Districts), Duhan van der Merwe (South Western Districts), Dewald Human (South Western Districts), Gerhardus Labuschagne (Valke), Ryan Oosthuizen (Western Province), TJ Goddard (Western Province), Dennis Cox (Western Province).
Girls: Ntsako Faith Tshauke (Blue Bulls), Micaela Witbooi (Boland), Kirsten Conrad (Boland), Lusanda Dumke (Border), Simamkele Namba (Border), Asisipho Dotwana (Border), Bonakele Sibiya (Golden Lions), Mandy Mhlongo (KwaZulu Natal), Christal Williams (South Western Districts), Atheana Botha (South Western Districts), Kimico Manuel (Western Province), Tatum Daniels (Western Province).
Boys Results, Days 1 & 2
Australia vs Tonga, 47-5
Australia vs China 64-0
Australia vs Japan, 53-0
Australia vs China, 75-0
Australia vs Tonga, 21-12
Japan vs China 34-5
Tonga vs China 40-0
Tonga vs Japan 26-0
Tonga vs Japan, 7-5
Tonga vs Japan, 28-0
South Africa vs Japan, 68-0
South Africa vs Australia 30-12
South Africa vs China, 73-0
South Africa vs Tonga, 36-0
South Africa vs Japan, 58-0
Girls' Results, Days 1 & 2
Australia vs China 40-0
Australia vs South Africa 38-7
Australia vs Tonga 55-0
Australia vs Japan 19-5
Australia vs China 38-5
Australia vs South Africa 52-7
China vs South Africa 41-0
China vs Japan 5-0
China vs Tonga 41-0
China vs Japan 28-14
China vs Tonga 29-0
Japan vs South Africa 17-14
Japan vs South Africa 27-0
Japan vs Tonga 29-12
Japan vs South Africa 32-0
South Africa vs Tonga 38-0
