Springbok coaches Deon Davids and Mzwandile Stick were both delighted with Yaw Penxe after his display for the Green team on Saturday. DYLAN JACK reports.

The 23-year-old wing put in a good performance as the Springbok Green team claimed a 25-9 victory over the Gold team in a scrappy contest at Newlands.

While opportunities were hard to come by due the error-filled nature of the game, Penxe did his best to make his every touch of the ball count and did a fantastic job of chasing down the aerial bombs from halfback pair Elton Jantjies and Sanele Nohamba.

Penxe was unlucky to miss out on an opportunity to get a try as he looked destined to touch down Nohamba’s kick over the tryline, but was obstructed by Damian Willemse, leading to a penalty try.

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Penxe, who has quietly been one of the struggling Kings’ most effective backline players over the past couple of years, is currently on the lookout for a move away after the franchise was placed into liquidation by their shareholders last month.

Speaking after the game, Springbok Green coach Stick said he would be surprise if the promising player doesn’t find a new team by the time the Currie Cup gets underway.

‘I am so glad that you mentioned a guy like him because of what they are going through at the EP Kings,’ Stick said. ‘With the way he played… if I was a coach somewhere, surely I would take the opportunity to bring him in.

‘I have worked with him since he was 19 at the Kings. I also coached him at the Baby Boks in 2017. I know he is a player with a great potential. You could see under the high ball, he was very aggressive.

‘I would be surprised if Yaw, in two weeks time, will still be in PE. There will be a lot of teams after him.

‘I am actually happy. They are going through tough times. What is happening in PE is not nice to see. I have got a soft spot for Eastern Province. I am who I am today because they gave me the opportunity.

‘I will be happy to see Yaw get an opportunity with one of the top teams in South Africa.’

POST-MATCH REACTION: Green vs Gold

Deon Davids, who brought Penxe into the Kings’ senior setup during his time as head coach at the Eastern Cape franchise, was equally pleased about his performance, despite his Gold side being on the receiving end.

‘I think Yaw is a special talent. It was one of the reason that he was invited here. We know his strengths as an outstanding attacker and someone who can finish an opportunity when it comes.

‘I am really pleased that he grabbed this opportunity and he really did well. For a player that was out for so long with an injury but came back. We know he worked incredibly hard.

‘He is a confirmation that if a player works hard enough and grabs his chance, then anything is possible. We know there is plenty of talent and probably more of these players, but it is just a question of getting an opportunity.’

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Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images