Mauritz Hansen XV finish Irish tour with narrow defeat against Munster
The Mauritz Hansen touring side almost managed to upset the provincial u19 champions of Ireland, Munster, in their final tour match at the University of Limerick. Munster won the match by 22-20 after scoring a try after a controversial decision by the referee.
It is sad that without the best match-up of the tour was decided through this decision. Munster were on the attack and their wing clearly knocked the ball on while receiving a pass, the ball then rolled over the touchline with no South African in close vicinity of it. The referee awarded a line-out to Munster in the South African’s 22 from which the Irish side scored the match winning try.
The South African players played for the first time on a 100% artificial pitch. Munster u19 is the Irish champions after beating Ulster (17-13), Leinster (26-18) and Connacht (49-19). Their scrumhalf, Jack Stafford, is without a doubt a player who’s name will pop up a few times in the future. Stafford started the match at scrumhalf and moved to flyhalf in the second half.
The whole squad of Mauritz Hansen XV deserves a pat on the back for its gutsy performance. The names of flankers Patrick Erasmus and Tertius Stander, and fullback, Vuyo Shongwe, must however be singled out. Shongwe was rock-solid on defence, while Erasmus and Stander led the physical charge upfront.
The South African would feel more than happy with their performances on tour although they only managed to win one match against St. Munchin’s College (47-11). The accurate boot of winger George Robertson also kept the South Africans in the game against Munster. He only missed one attempt at goal during the whole tour. Munster scored four tries to the two of the South Africans, but managed only to convert one of their tries.
If the South Africans managed to play as the team they were in this match in their first encounter against Blackrock College in Dublin they would’ve made history. Blackrock College’s first Xv have yet to lose against a South African side.
School of Rugby is touring Ireland courtesy of Travel and Sport. Mauritz Hansen’s tour is also organised by Travel and Sport.
Scorers:
Munster u19 22. Mauritz Hansen XV 20 – Tries: JP Alberts, Johan Pitout. Conversions: George Robertson (2). Penalties: Robertson (2).
Mauritz Hansen XV: 15 Vuyo Shongwe (Randburg), 14 Louis Naude (Midstream College), 13 Ruan Viljoen (Oos-Moot), 12 Tiaan Bedford (Oos-Moot), 11 Pierre van Vuuren (Hans Strijdom), 10 Ronald van Wetering (Oos-Moot), 9 Charles Blacklock (OosMoot), 8 JP Alberts (Oos-Moot – captain), 7 Tertius Stander (HTS John Vorster), 6 Jacques Pretorius (Hans Strijdom), 5 Sakkie Liebenberg (Wagpos), 4 Ettienne Moss (Wagpos), 3 Frikkie Deysel (Oos-Moot), 2 Ivan Botha (Tuine), 1 Stefan Kruger (Midstream College). Replacements: 16 Jaco Niemann (Wagpos), 17 Jan-Louis Senekal (Hans Strijdom), 18 HP van der Walt (Hans Strijdom), 19 Patrick Erasmus (Oos-Moot), 20 Johan Pitout (Ellisras), 21 George Robertson (Randburg), 22 Terrance Kingsburgh (Oos-Moot), 23 Brady Theron (Lydenburg), 24 Brandon Baker (Randburg).
