Exciting Namibian-born Paul Roos centre / fullback Jurenzo Julius came off the bench to play his first match of 2022 and proved exactly why Cape school rugby gurus have been talking him up as hot property.
He delivered a memorable tackle-busting performance to help the Maroon Machine fight back from a dead-and-buried looking 7-31 deficit at half-time to claim a 38-38 draw against a highly rated Bishops 1st XV. The last 14-points of the comeback being scored in the last ten minutes.
His first touch of the ball in the 39th minute set the tone for big things to come as he backed himself to take the outside gap and had the strength to withstand four would-be tackles before providing the try-assist inside pass to effective left wing Christiaan Brandt, to make it 12-31.
Next up Julius made a Hail Mary long pass to his left to acres of space where Paul Roos then capitalised on the working area and finish via flyhalf Reuben Noble in the left corner, making it 17-31.
Julius’ effort stole the show but Bishop’s fullback Gilermo Mentoe was a serious candidate for player of the match, as he also made mince-meat of defenders efforts to deal with his straight-line speed, a factor which allowed Bishops to go 38-17 up.
Then in the 54th minute Julius collected a pass near the opposition 22 and although his immediate line was clear, the Bishops defence was organised and sandwiched him, only to fall off on both sides due to the teenager’s immense strength on his feet.
With the kick, the Bishops’ lead was reduced to 38-24 and the Maroons’ forwards then played a bigger part as they scored the remaining two tries to complete the turnaround.
Julius who’s late start to the season was due to a injury picked up during the athletics season, has the broad build, power factor and explosive pace resembling that of a backline player of Pacific Island descent. He is however a Namibian of birth and even though he is a shoo-in for main of the two Western Province Craven Week teams, if his citizenship status has not changed, he will not be in line for SA Schools selection.
The process to gain citizenship has been known to take up to 14-years.
@Gimnasias: My take is ek laaik daai…daar moet nog wees…😂😂😂Bulle?
Maar stem saam hier bo.Daar is nie n guarantee in snr rugby nie.Maar wragtig…daars potensiaal.Die seun het alles.Spoed,ball,verdedig goed…moet op gewonde wees..tyd sal leer …
@Grizzly: Kom ons raai wat se unie het hom alreeds raak gesien. Maklik om te antwoord.
@Kaya 85: As hy uitgegroei is op die staduim , gaan hy dit nie in senior rugby maak nie. Hartseer , maar het al soveel …GROOT… skool sterre gesien wat nooit op senior vlak uitkom nie.
Ek verneem sy droom is om vir die All Blacks te speel.
@Maroon: Die COVID het ons van baie ontneem.Begin Nou eers weer die seuns leer ken.
@Grizzly: Graad 9
@Grizzly: gr9
@Grizzly: Miskien gaan hy nie rugby na skool speel nie.
Dalk swot en boer.
@JongMatie: Ja nee,hys n monster.Gaan intresant wees om te sien wat se unie hy kies…hy kan natuurlik dadelik oorsee gaan ook…tyd sal leer.
@Grizzly: Ongelukkig nie, Namibie van oorsprong, Strepie van HJS het goeie werk hier gedoen om hom in SA en die Kaap te kry.
Hy is mos van Windhoek.
Dit gaan maar daaroor om vir seuns beter geleenthede te gee.
@JongMatie: Is Hy /18,sien julle praat van CW?Was Hy van gr8 in PR?
Kragman 1000
A Great Headline – well done Beet.
Julius is a fantastic prospect, but I would love to see him at RWC 2027 (or next year?) in Namibia colours.
This rule doesn’t make sense to me. If he plays a full season & makes the Craven Week team he should be eligible for selection to SA Schools which should he based on the best players at CW & not based on their nationality. If I’m not mistaken Martin Johnson represented NZ u20 whilst spending a year there.
Happy ANZAC day