Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Saal’s try-scoring prowess a bonus for Province
DUNCAN SAAL has become a try-scoring machine this year, dotting down 15 times.
He got 10 of them for Maties in the Varsity Cup, the most in the competition – his side won the title for a record fourth time.
It earned the rightwing a place in the senior Western Province side currently defending their SuperSport Rugby Challenge title (SRC), and he got a brace in his first outing against the EP Elephants.
He followed that up with a hat-trick against the Border Bulldogs.
“Duncan has had a nice start to the SRC,” said WP coach John Dobson.
“He has electric attacking skills and works hard on defence.
“He’s very professional, very competitive and works off the ball very well.
“He’s impressed me and I’m sure he’s headed for higher honours.
“There are a number of other players catching the eye,” continued Dobson.
“Tristan Leyds, who starred for the University of the Western Cape in the Varsity Shield, has been quite good at fullback, so too scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies, who scored a brace last weekend in the derby victory over the Boland Cavaliers.”
Jean- Luc du Plessis ( flyhalf) and Frans Malherbe have made starts and since been recalled to the Stormers for the Super Rugby campaign.
“I think No7 Johan du Toit is our next big star. His carries and workrate are out of the top drawer.
“The list goes on, we in the province are blessed with talent and it’s been my pleasure working with them,” said Dobson.
As for Province’s SRC campaign, they remain unbeaten and top the South Section with 14 points from a possible 15, the lost point for not scoring four tries against Boland at Newlands.
Boland held the lead with five minutes to play before Province converted a penalty to claim a 23-12 win, their 14th in a row which includes 11 from last season.
“I was disappointed with our performance,” said Dobson. “Though credit must go to our neighbours who always rise to the occasion against us at Newlands, and they pushed us all the way.
“But from our side there were too many penalties and a yellow card wasn’t part of the script.
“We were up 15-0 and should have buried them.
“We have a bye this weekend and then head to Oudtshoorn for a tough assignment against unbeaten South Western Districts on Sunday, in what will be another one of those rugby festival vibes that we all enjoy being part of.”
SWD have recorded two good bonus-point victories to date and today tackle the Boland Cavaliers with the chance of leapfrogging Province should they collect another five-point haul.