SA Schools play Wales in George
SA Schools play Wales Under-18 in George on Tuesday evening with a much changed team.
Captain Pierre Schoeman is one of four forwards retained for the match, alongside lock JD Schickerling, Thabo Mabuza and Jano Venter. only two backs are retained – inside centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg and right wing Sergeal Petersen.
Fullback Warrick Gallant of Hoërskool Outeniqua gets a starting berth in front of his home crowd.
SA Schools coach Chris October said: "The changes were always part of the plan but we are confident that we will have good combinations in those areas of change.
"We had a good few sessions since Friday’s match and the boys are looking forward to play at Outeniqua Park which is such a good venue."
He was wary of the Welsh: "The Welsh showed in the second half what they are capable of and they ran England very close on Friday. Their set-pieces are good and they are not afraid to use the width of the field when on the attack, so we will have to be very alert in our defensive approach."
Welsh coach Allen Lewis is hoping that the quick Welsh, playing in the manner of their senior side, will be able to bounce back from their disappointing defeat at the hands of England oin Friday.
Lewis said: "Last week despite the loss we played with great accuracy and with great power. To score three tries in the second half was a great reward though we’re obviously disappointed.
"What we are trying to do is hopefully create players for the future. The players are trying to play ball in hand rugby, play a quick tempo game and recycle the ball quickly and hopefully this will promote Welsh players for the future."
The teams:
South African Schools: 15 Warrick Gelant (Outeniqua), 14 Sergeal Petersen (Grey PE), 13 Jurie Linde (Affies), 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Waterkloof – vice-captain), 11 Matjikinyane Molapo (Ben Vorster), 10 Ryno Eksteen (Affies), 9 Akhona Sihunu (Dale), 8 Jano Venter (HTS Middelburg), 7 Daniël du Preez (Kearsney), 6 Thabo Mabuza (Centurion), 5 JD Schickerling (Paarl Gym), 4 Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg (Affies), 3 Wilco Louw (HTS Drostdy), 2 Chad Solomon (Paul Roos), 1 Pierre Schoeman (Affies – captain).
Replacements: 16 Francois Esterhuizen (Overberg), 17 Dayan van der Westhuizen (Centurion), 18 Ox Nche (Louis Botha), 19 Abongile Nonkontwana (St Alban's), 20 Jean-Luc Du Preez (Kearsney), 21 Justin Philips (Waterkloof), 22 Handré Pollard (Paarl Gym), 23 Jesse Kriel (Maritzburg College).
Wales Under-18: 15 Hallam Amos, 14 Ashley Evans, 13 Steffan Hughes, 12 Ben Roberts, 11 Daffyd Howells, 10 Jack Maynard, 9 Conner Lloyd, 8 Ben Roach (captain), 7 Scott Matthews, 6 Sion Bennett, 5 Lance Randell, 4 Josh Phelps, 3 Nicky Thomas, 2 Ethan Lewis, 1 Callum Lewis.
Replacements: 16 Tom Ball, 17 Jack Dunning, 18 Alex Jeffries, 19 James Sheeky, 20 James Benjamin, 21 Joel Raikes, 22 Craig Woodall, 23 Ryan Evans.
Date: Tuesday, 14 August (2012)
Kick-off: 17.00
Venue: Outeniqua Park, George
Referee: Lusanda Jam
Assistant referees: Quinton Immelman, Cobus Wessels
