The first 20 minutes saw both side trying to dominate each other. South Africa's Schools side showed there willingness and ability to compete with the Wales side in every aspect of the game. Both sides were willing to run with the ball but both defences were organised and determined. Here the name of Muller Uys and PJ Botha must be mentioned, they was simply outstanding replaced in the second half.
South Africa scored the first points after Gianni Lombard slotted two penalties in the 24th and 28th minutes. SA Schools leading 6 - 0 but more important building momentum and controlling the game. This pressure paid off when Damin Willemse's long down field kick into touch produced a five-metre line-out for South Africa. South Africa drove it over for a try scored by hooker PJ Botha. Lombard converted, SA Schhols leading 13-0 after 32 minutes.
Wales struck first in the second half when Phil Jones, the Welsh flyhalf, converted a penalty. 13-3.
South Africa continued applying pressure and saw Wandisile Simelane going over in the left corner after Rikus Pretorius cut the defense in half. SA Schools leading 18-3 after 43 minutes.
Lombard starting a run in own 22 and beating Wales defense with speed and good foot work. Damian Willemse ended this when he picked up a rolling ball and dancing beating defenders at will. Three metres from the goal-line he passed to Pretorius who scored. The conversion was missed, 23-3 with 20 minutes to play.
The age old question is when to bring on the subs proved to be a difficult one. Sean Erasmus got it right and almost wrestled a victory away from the Italians. Unfortunately Lance Serdyn got it completely wrong. The hardworking Uys and Botha was replaced and Wales took over.
It was from now on that Wales began to dominate the running, much of it thanks to Talbot-Davies. A counterattack of his led to a scrum to Wales five metres from the South African line but the South Africans destroyed the Welsh who were penalised.
As the game entered the final 10 minutes, the hosts began to lose concentration. They fell off tackles, and allowed Wales back into the contest seeing Wales scoring two converted tries taking the score to 23 - 17, which seemed a better reflection of the game.
TEAMS | SA Schools vs Wales U18 |
VENUE | City Park Stadium, Crawford, Cape Town |
DATE | 12 August 2016 15:00 |
COMPETITION | SA Schools 2016 |
FINAL SCORE | 23 - 17 |
TRIES | 3 - 2 |
HALFTIME SCORE | 13 - 0 |
Referee | Matthew O'Grady |
Assistant Referee/Reserve Referee | Egon Seconds |
TMO | Johannes (Joey) Klaaste-Salmans |
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0 | First Half Start | Damian Willemse | SA Schools |
24 | Penalty | Gianni Lombard | SA Schools |
28 | Penalty | Gianni Lombard | SA Schools |
30 | Yellow Card | Charl Serdyn | SA Schools |
32 | Try | Pieter Botha | SA Schools |
33 | Conversion | Gianni Lombard | SA Schools |
35 | First Half End | ||
35 | Second Half Start | Philip Jones | Wales U18 |
37 | Penalty | Philip Jones | Wales U18 |
40 | Yellow card returning | Charl Serdyn | SA Schools |
42 | Yellow Card | William Jones | Wales U18 |
43 | Try | Wandisile Simelane | SA Schools |
44 | Missed Conversion | Gianni Lombard | SA Schools |
46 | Substitution (Tactical) | Ben Jones for Philip Jones | Wales U18 |
50 | Try | Rikus Pretorius | SA Schools |
51 | Missed Conversion | Gianni Lombard | SA Schools |
51 | Substitution (Tactical) | Tom Mably for Rhys Carre | Wales U18 |
53 | Substitution (Tactical) | Ryan Conbeer for Cameron Lewis | Wales U18 |
53 | Substitution (Tactical) | Will Griffiths for James Ratti | Wales U18 |
53 | Yellow card returning | William Jones | Wales U18 |
55 | Substitution (Tactical) | Harrison Dobbs for James Botham | Wales U18 |
55 | Substitution (Tactical) | Joe Thomas for Christian Coleman | Wales U18 |
58 | Substitution (Tactical) | JC Pretorius for Charl Serdyn | SA Schools |
58 | Substitution (Injury) | Johan Neethling for Sazi Sandi | SA Schools |
58 | Substitution (Tactical) | Khewzi Mafu for Muller Uys | SA Schools |
61 | Substitution (Tactical) | Daniel Jooste for Pieter Botha | SA Schools |
61 | Substitution (Tactical) | Reece Bezuidenhout for Nathan McBeth | SA Schools |
62 | Try | Jordan Liney | Wales U18 |
63 | Conversion | Ben Jones | Wales U18 |
66 | Try | Will Talbot-Davies | Wales U18 |
66 | Substitution (Tactical) | Ben-Jason Dixon for Peter-John Steenkamp | SA Schools |
66 | Substitution (Tactical) | Manuel Rass for Wandisile Simelane | SA Schools |
67 | Conversion | Ben Jones | Wales U18 |
72 | Substitution (Concussion) | William Jones | Wales U18 |
72 | Substitution (Tactical) | Muller Du Plessis for Sihle Njezula | SA Schools |
74 | Full Time |