WP u18 too good for Italy

Craven Week winners Western Province Schools minus stalwarts Rikus Bothma, Jacques Vermeulen, Thomas du Toit, Grant Hermanus, Daniel du Plessis (Paul Roos) and Daniel du Plessis (HJS), and still without JD Schickerling were too strong for the touring Italian under-18 team, beating them 39-17 on Friday, 09 August.Province were able to welcome back into the team star centre Ryan Oosthuizen, who has been amongst the best players of school rugby season and Rondebosch fullback Khanyo Ncgukhana whose Craven Week experience was cut very short by an injury early on in the first game against the Pumas.

Province’s school rugby structures look healthier than ever having completed the “triple” during the July holidays with wins in the under-13, under-16 and under-18 national provincial tournaments.

The win against Italy underlined the depth that exists in the age-group.

The chief point scorer was scrumhalf Damien Stevens with two tries, three conversions and a penalty for a personal tally of 19.  Replacement flyhalf Siya Alam also got two tries while substitute scrummy Brendan Nell and left wing Danté van der Merwe crossed the chalk for a try apiece.