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Welwitschias suffer defeat against Leopards

• 1 Year Ago 08 May 2023

South Africa's Leopards Rugby Union cemented its 24-year winning streak by defeating the Windhoek Draught Welwitschias 23-220 in an entertaining Mzansi Challenge match on Saturday at Jan Wilken Studium Walvis Bay.

The event, hosted by the Namibian Ruby Union (NRU), attracted a large number of spectators who came to witness if the Welwitschias could end the 24-year winning streak of the Leopards Rugby Union, which sadly they couldn't.



Close match

Playing conditions were perfect for the Welwitschias, and a vibrant crowd came out in numbers to support their teams.

The floodgates opened with the Leopards scoring two tries, two conversions, and three penalties. Windhoek Draught Welwitschias scored one try, one conversion, and two converted penalty kicks, as well as an awarded penalty try.

Leopards' hooker Vernon Paulo, with adequate support from his pack of forwards, had a storming first half. Paulo scored two tries with assistance from captain Vincent Maruping and open-side flanker Kwezi Mafu. Flyhalf Lionell April converted two conversions. Outside centre Danrich Visagie converted three penalty kicks. Mafu was named man of the match.

Welwitschias' hook Pieter Jansen scored one try, and inside centre Danco Bruger converted one penalty kick. Flyhalf and vice-captain Andre van de Berg converted two penalty kicks, and in the dying moments of the closely contested match, foul play from the Leopards awarded Windhoek Draught Welwitschias a penalty try (seven points).



Three points

Welwitschias' captain, Prince !Gaoseb , said that despite their loss, it was a "good" game.

"Unfortunately, we fell short by three points against the Leopards. I'm happy my boys showed up and poured their hearts out today. I am really proud of the boys".



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