• Rugby

Chances not taken cost U18s against Limpopo

• 5 Days Ago 27 June 2024

If not for some dodgy decision-making at vital moments, the end result could have been different for the Namibia schools rugby team that lost by six points (22-28) against the Limpopo Blue Bulls on match day two of the SA under-18 Academy Week yesterday.

Hosted at the Jeppe Boys High field in Johannesburg, the Namibians were looking to build on their come-from-behind opening win against the Pumas Academy team two days before (30-17).

Instead, they were sent back to the drawing board as opportunities slipped through their fingers.

Fly-half Waldré Kotze (Windhoek Gymnasium) established 3-3 parity with an early exchange of penalties, before Limpopo scored the first try with an exceptional run by one of their props who accelerated through a gap in the wide channels, before stepping inside to break clear.

Three minutes later, Namibia struck back when inside centre Janco Bredenhann (Whk Gym) delivered a line break from near the halfway line and sped away to finish off the try himself despite a tackle on the left-hand corner (8-8 after 11 minutes).

The Namibians went through a period of attempting wide attacks from within their own half, sometimes spoiled by handling errors, but their strong scrum and solid scramble defence kept Limpopo at bay until the opponents took the lead with a 20th-minute penalty.

Namibia’s decision not to take a very kickable penalty after 32 minutes proved to be costly, as they lost the line-out throw they set up. Limpopo not only managed to exit their danger zone, but created a try-scoring opportunity in the left corner which was converted, putting them 18-8 ahead at halftime.

The deficit increased by another seven points, seven minutes after the restart, as strong carries moved Limpopo into position for a forward pick-and-go try from close range.

At 8-25 behind, the Namibians had to respond and scrumhalf Bradley Gawaseb (Duinesig) produced a sharp line-break countering off a loose Limpopo exit kick, before off-loading to flank Benjamin Mostert (Moria) to carry a few desperate defenders over the tryline.

With Kotze’s conversion, Namibia were ten points behind again, but they lost lock Russell Bartlett (Tsumeb Gymnasium) to a yellow card (51 minutes) and were forced into another period on defence, eventually conceding another penalty (15-28).

Namibia fought back to add one more pick-and-go forward try under the posts off the final move of the match, by flank Joshwin Solomon (Walvis Bay Gym), but with Kotze’s conversion they still lost by six points.

The U18 team’s last match is expected to be against Zimbabwe, who had beaten Limpopo 44-40 on day one, before losing 12-31 to the Lions XV yesterday.



Rhino Week

Namibia’s combined U15/U16 team competing for the first time at the U15 Rhino Week in Vereeniging started off with a 11-17 defeat against the Falcons yesterday.

After a solid first half they lead 11-10 thanks to a penalty by centre Ignatius Kandowa (WHS), a drop goal by fly-half Matthew Raubenheimer (Whk Gym) and a try by scrumhalf Cayden van Wyk (Whk Gym).



Grant Khomo Week

In their last match at the U16 Grant Khomo Week in Gqeberha on Friday, Namibia concluded with a 31-8 win against Zimbabwe (halftime 19-3).

Centre Liam Kittler (Walvis Bay PS) scored two tries, along with one each by fly-half Sergio Pamplin (De Duine), centre Hanré Cocklin (Whk Gym) and flank Louis de Wet (Whk Gym). Pamplin added three conversions.

Coach Morné Rust (Walvis Bay PS) says: “Our scrumhalf Dirkie Lochner (Keetmanshoop PS) was named player of the match. With wins against Border Country Districts (31-7) and Zimbabwe, we bounced back after the opening day’s 6-26 loss against a much heavier SWD side.

“It’s worth mentioning that SWD also beat Western Province XV and lost by one point to the Sharks. Two SWD players (a prop and a 123 kg lock) made the Grant Khomo Week dream team selection.”

Rust again thanked the teams sponsors Seawork, Khan River Lodge, Calle's Game Lodge, Sentrum Apteek and Xco Group, as well as parents and his fellow management members.