The DHL Western Province Under-19 team opened their 2014 Absa Provincial Under-19 campaign with a convincing 50-26 win over the Free State U19s at City Park on Saturday afternoon.
The DHL WP youngsters scored five tries, with massive tighthead prop Frans van Wyk scoring a try in each half as the hosts secured the bonus point against their spirited opponents from Bloemfontein.
The Free Staters managed four tries of their own but the Province Under-19s should still feel well-satisfied with their season-opening win after leading 20-14 at half-time – that after trailing 7-0 after 12 minutes and also having a man in the sin bin (Leolin Zas).
Inside centre Daniel du Plessis opened his team’s try-tally in the 27th minute, following up nicely after a break and off-load from centre mate Jarryd Sage, with flyhalf Ernst Stapelberg converting to go with his two penalty goals in the 15th and 22nd minute.
Du Plessis’s try put Province ahead for the first time in the match and they never looked back as prop Van Wyk, speedy left-wing Leolin Zas and replacement scrumhalf Brendon Nell all crossed the whitewash.
Nell’s try, shortly before full-time, was a beauty with centre Du Plessis making space for wing Zas down the left. Zas sped ahead, kicked in-field and Nell was on hand to collect the ball from under the Free Staters’ noses.
Stapelberg converted from in front to take his tally on the day to 25 points, the flyhalf missing just one shot at goal from 11 attempts – another pleasing aspect for coach Nazeem Adams.
The scorers:
For DHL Western Province Under-19:
Tries: Du Plessis (No.12), Van Wyk 2, Zas, Nell
Cons: Stapelberg 5
Pens: Stapelberg 5
For Free State Under-19:
Tries: Burger, Nche, Gordon 2
Cons: Swarts 2, Labuschagne
The teams:
DHL Western Province Under-19: 15 Adriaan Carelse, 14 Dewald Naude, 13 Jarryd Sage, 12 Daniel du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Ernst Stapelberg, 9 Justin Phillips, 8 Rikus Bothma (captain), 7 Luke Stringer, 6 Charlton Jonas, 5 Johan Momsen, 4 Ruan du Preez, 3 Frans van Wyk, 2 Daniel du Plessis, 1 Kyle Whyte.
Replacements: 16 Paul-Martin Wipplinger, 17 Mihlali Mtongana, 18 Lebohang Mdakane, 19 Floris Pelser, 20 Michael de Waal, 21 Brendon Nell, 22 Ryan Oosthuizen, 23 Heinrich Buhr.
Free State Under-19: 15 Matsoele Sechaba, 14 Gerrie Labuschagne, 13 Stephen Rautenbach, 12 Johan Nel, 11 Lorenzo Gordon, 10 Andre Swarts, 9 Christiaan Erasmus, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Junior Burger (captain), 6 Willandre Kotzenberg, 5 Hendri Storm, 4 Erick van Niekerk, 3 Willem Eloff, 2 Reinach Venter, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Heinrich de Jongh, 17 Conraad van Vuuren, 18 Sarel Roux, 19 Nardus Erasmus, 20 Tyron Goddard, 21 Darron Barron, 22 Morne van Staden, 23 Gert Kotze.
Referee: Eduan Nel
