SA Schools with four KwaZulu-Natal representatives in the matchday 22 beat France 17-7 in their opening game of the quadrangular international series held in Wellington, Boland. The score was 7-7 at half-time.
Indications are that the SA Schools weren’t entirely convincing. However there are two important factors to take into account. Firstly the usual: not enough time to prepare. The team basically got together a few days before the match and this was their first outing, as opposed to France who have a number of games under the belt. Secondly this is probably the strongest French under-18 team to tour South Africa in recent years. In the 6 Nations under-18 tournament held in Madrid, Spain earlier this year, France finished third but were very competitive. In that tournament France pushed runners up Ireland in a semi-final, while eventual winners England had to work equally hard to overcome Wales in the other semi-final. France then toppled Wales to claim “bronze.” Only a handful of points separated the top four teams in Madrid. This level of competitive was again evident in England’s narrow 28-25 win against Wales in the earlier game held at the same venue in Wellington.
The next round of fixtures will be played on Tuesday, 14 August in George, when England play against France and the SA Schools team tackle Wales.
SA Schools 17 (7): Tries: Sergeal Petersen (Grey PE), Dayan van der Merwe (Centurion), RohanJanse van Rensburg (Klofies); Conversion: Handre Pollard (Paarl Gym) France 7 (7): Try: RomainRuffenach (hooker); Conversion: Yohan le Bourhis (flyhalf).
Anyone know if these matches are televised & id so when ?