SA Schools scored seven tries for a 48-14 victory over Argentina U18 in the second round of the U18 International series in Paarl on Tuesday. DYLAN JACK reports.
While Argentina looked like they were going be a handful in this contest following their first-round win over England in Stellenbosch, it was a rather one-sided game as the Argentinians struggled to deal with South Africa’s intensity and physicality.
The SA Schools side should also be credited for a much more organised defensive effort and clinical execution as scrumhalf Dylan Alexander and centre Henco van Wyk both scored braces, to go with tries from inspirational captain and hooker Jacques Goosen and No 8 Gideon van Wyk.
SA Schools finish off the series against England in Wellington on Saturday, while SA Schools A will face Argentina.
Argentina got off to a flying start, opening the scoring in the first 10 minutes through scrumhalf Facundo Villaba, but SA Schools hit back with an excellent team try rounded off by scrumhalf Dylan Alexander.
Outside centre Henco van Wyk then sprinted from inside his own half to give SA Schools the lead before Jacques Goosen went over from a maul to put his side 21-7 up. Alexander then did well to gather the ball and ground it in the corner for his second try after a strong carry from flank Sasko Ndlovu.
SA Schools continued to dominate their second half and extended their lead when a counter-attack from inside the 22 had Van Wyk racing through for his brace. Gideon van Wyk then came off the bench and showed his pace to score an intercept try as the South African schoolboys virtually sealed the win at that stage.
A try from fullback Zeilinga Strydom added further gloss to the scoreline while flank Ignacio Ruiz ensured Argentina finished strong with a try in the final 10 minutes.
SA Schools – Tries: Dylan Alexander (2), Henco van Wyk (2), Jacques Goosen, Gideon van Wyk, Zeilinga Strydom. Conversions: Kian Meadon (4). Penalty: Meadon.
Argentina U18 – Tries: Facundo Villaba, Ignacio Ruize. Conversions: Julian Hernandez (2).
SA Schools – 15 Zeilinga Strydom, 14 Mntungwa Mapantsela, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Tyler Bocks, 11 Tharquinn Manuel, 10 Kian Meadon, 9 Dylan Alexander, 8 George Cronje, 7 Jarrod Taylor, 6 Sasko Ndlovu, 5 Dylan de Leeuw, 4 Connor Evans, 3 Sibusiso Shongwe, 2 Jacques Goosen (c), 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels.
Subs: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Okhule Siyeni, 18 Blaine Golden, 19 Wandile Hlope, 20 Keke Morabe, 21 Keane Gelant, 22 Boldwin Hansen, 23 Jurich Claasens, 24 Quan Horn, 25 Gideon van Wyk, 26 Simon Miller.
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
