The Sharks under 19 side powered to second place on the competition log on Friday afternoon, courtesy of a convincing 25-9 win over the Lions at Ellis Park.
Having lost narrowly to the same opposition in the earlier Kings Park fixture, most were expecting more of the same for Deon Kayser’s young troops, particularly given the slew of injuries that had removed no fewer than three first-choice backs from a squad already low on “big name schoolboys”. This young team, though, seems very good at turning pressure into motivation and ultimately ran out comfortable winners, with flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis again prominent.
The young blonde pivot, whose father Carel – the “Prince of Wings” – enjoyed a brief stint as Springbok coach in the 90s, scored in every possible way on the day. He started by converting winger Mike Cloete’s 9th minute try, before adding a penalty two minutes later. Another conversion (this time number 8 Ray Williams was the scorer) followed, ahead of a drop-goal on the stroke of half time to give his side a comfortable 20-6 lead at the break. The icing on the cake, though, was the try he scored halfway through the second period, which turned out to the the Sharks’ only points in the half.
Quick to defer praise, though, the young man who is once again at the summit of the individual point scoring table believes it’s “all about the team” and heaps praise on his teammates – and his forward in particular – for the hard work put in.
The Sharks under 19 side enjoy a bye this weekend, before facing Free State at Kings Park next weekend.
Scores:
Sharks under 19 (25): Tries Michael Cloete, Ray Williams, Jean-Luc du Plessis. Conversions du Plessis (2). Penalty du Plessis. Drop goal du Plessis.
Lions under 19 (9): Penalties Brandan Hewit (3).
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Congrats to the team! Really liking what I’m reading about Jean-Luc.
No big names, but this is a quality side. I’ll be chuffed if they make it all the way to the final.
@Ludz (Comment 2) : What are big names at u19 level?
@Talent (Comment 3) : schoolboy stars, if you follow your schoolboy rugby and you look across the other u19 teams. You’ll find that the Sharks have the least of these big name players