Stars of future flatten France

THE SA Schools rugby team made a winning start in the Saru U18 International Series yesterday when they defeated France 28-13 at City Park in Cape Town yesterday.

They scored four converted tries, two in each half, to maintain their perfect record of the past four years against northern hemisphere opposition.

In the earlier match, England managed to beat Wales 24-21, while a WP Craven Week XV beat Italy 45-12.

At City Park, Jaco Coetzee and his SA Schools team elected to play into a strong wind in the first half. They started slowly and preferred a kicking game, while France dominated territory.

The first chance to score fell to SA flyhalf Curwin Bosch, who was unable to convert a penalty. Bosch later made amends by slotting all four conversions.

France U-18 scored the first try when scrumhalf Antione Dupont dummied his way through to score under the posts. They continued to press, but SA proved dangerous on the counter-attack, which later allowed them to score twice from quick turnover ball.

The SA Schools levelled matters when wing Andell Loubser scored after a good piece of individual skill by Bosch.

French flyhalf Anthony Belleau slotted a penalty, allowing his side to regain the lead at 10-7. A few minutes later, the home team fell further behind after a Belleau drop goal.

But the match swung in South Africa’s favour and Bosch again played a pivotal role in the next try, scored by outside centre Barend Smith. Bosch slotted the conversion to hand the SA Schools a 14-13 lead at halftime.

Five minutes after the resumption, lock Jaco Willemse powered over for a converted try. Right at the end, Loubser rounded off a good team performance when he dotted his second try after a slick backline movement.

SA Schools will be in action against Wales while England face France at the Outeniqua Park Stadium in George on Wednesday.