Affies & Kwaggas players star as Bulls u19 beats Sharks u19 33-18

By Woltrui
The Blue Bulls under-19’s beat their Sharks counterparts 33-18 on Saturday, 19 July. Former Affies and Outeniqua 1st XV 2013 players made big contributions during the match. 

From the Bulls kickoff the Sharks maul well but then the Sharks no.9 Matt Reece-Edwards overcooks an up and under and the Bulls counter to the left via their backline. A quick ruck is set up on the Sharks 22m line with the Bulls backs and forwards combining well. Then attacking right, Bulls lock RG Snyman (SA Schools) gets his hands free in the tackle and offloads to centre Jixie Molapo. The Ben Vorster old boy does well and it’s no.8 and captain Hanro Liebenberg who scores in the right hand corner. Bulls no.10, Dewald Human (SA Schools) misses the conversion. 5-0 Bulls.

Right after the next kickoff Human finds touch just inside the Sharks half off the field. When Sharks hooker Wesley White misses his jumpers, it results in the hosts launching another attack via Human who spots opportunity and moves the ball to his centre Jurie Linde (SA Schools). Linde draws the Sharks fullback Kelvin Elder and then passes to his big wing Duhan van der Merwe (SA Schools / SA u20) who canters in to score 5m from the left touchline. Human makes no mistake with the conversion. 12-0 Bulls.
Both teams are conceding penalties at breakdowns and tit for tat kicks at goal are exchanged. Sharks flyhalf Innocent Radebe lands two for his team while Human replies with two for the Bulls. Score 18-6 to Bulls.

From an attacking lineout just inside the Sharks half Human takes at first receiver and using the outside of his boot puts in a brilliant chip over the advancing Sharks backline. A flying Jurie Linde picks up a low bouncing ball and his sublime pace helps him to beat two defenders on the outside. He finishes in the right-hand corner. 23-6 Bulls.

The Sharks hereafter attack the Bulls line with meaning. First a handling error prevents the visitors from scoring. Thereafter some brilliant Bulls defence stops the Sharks from crossing the Bulls tryline. Sharks no. 7, Jean-Luc du Preez (SA Schools / SA u20) is coming into his own with a few strong attacking carries. The half ends with the Bulls starting to put the Sharks scrum under immense pressure.

Halftime. 18-6 to the Bulls. The Bulls are more aggressive in general play. Calvin Allison, the Bulls no. 7 and RG Snyman are worth singling out for praise for putting in some big aggressive tackles.
The first major second half action comes straight away when the Sharks go on the attack from the kickoff. JL du Preez busts a tackle and the ball is moved to the right where a ruck is formed. From this breakdown the ball is moved back infield to the influential du Preez who crosses the tryline with 3 defenders failing to stop the powerful looseforward. Radebe converts the try scored under the post. 23-13 Bulls.

The Bulls continue to place serious pressure on the Sharks scrum. Human succeeds with a penalty won as a result of a Sharks infringement. 26-13 Bulls.

From the ensuing kickoff Human surprises the Sharks by initiating a backline attack instead of punting upfield. The Bulls attackers are brought down metres from the Sharks tryline. Concerted Bulls attacks eventually lead to a try by big lock Jason Jenkins, who crosses 15m from the right-hand corner. Human is on target again. 33-13 Bulls.
The Bulls are dominating the game once more. In an attack by the Bulls forwards, the Sharks flyhalf Radebe, who is playing an excellent game of rugger for the second week running, is injured when tackling an opponent. Rabede stands out for his ability to get his backline moving and also for not standing back when defending his channel. He is forced to leave the field with what looks like a concussion. The Sharks then ring the changes. Amongst others on comes the other Du Preez twin Dan in place of lock Johan du Toit (Pieter-Steph’s brother), who had a quiet game. The Sharks seem to be more secure up front with the big Du Preez brothers now playing in tandem. However in spite of the improvement, the Sharks are guilty of leaving points on the table by not taking kicks at goal. The decision-making does eventually pay off though when a strong attack lead by JL du Preez is the inspiration for a try in the right-hand corner by the the Greytown greyhound no.23 Malcolm Cele (replacement wing).

Final score 33-18 to the Bulls

Player who impressed:
The Woltrui Man of the Match is Dewald Human (Outeniqua old boy). The youngster knows how to spark an attack by get a backline moving. His vision to distribute the ball, either kicking, attacking with ball in hand or passing was all class. What surprised most is his ability to kick out of hand. His defending line kicks was long and accurate. The Bulls have got themselves a gem with this laaitie.

Ivan van Zyl, the Bulls no. 9, was quick and accurate behind the scrum. Centre Jurie Linde was good. Up front the Bulls had a couple of players who impressed. The scrum was good. RG Snyman had a blinder and flank Calvin Allison who is a big, strong kid was strong and aggressive in defence and on the attack.

For the Sharks nobody was better than JL du Preez. The boy is an “yster”. His brother also made a difference when he came on. Radebe was the best of the Sharks backs.