Mzwandile Mali XV and Windhoek High win with flair at Saints Festival
The Mzwandile Mali XV and Windhoek High School wrapped up their Standard Bank Saints Easter Festival campaigns at St Stithians College with commanding victories.
Relive all the action on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)
Mzwandile Mali ran in six tries to outclass UK-based Hartpury College’s 2nd XV 40–24 in the opening fixture on Saturday.
Right-wing Sphenati April demonstrated his searing pace, crossing the whitewash twice in a standout performance. His success was made possible by a backline that clicked beautifully against the English visitors.
Just as he did at the recent North/South Tournament in Stellenbosch, flyhalf Sibabalwe Gwintsa controlled proceedings with poise and precision.
He not only orchestrated play to unleash the speedsters out wide but also chipped in with a well-earned try and four conversions, contributing 13 points to the total.
His opposite number Harrison Ravenscroft, filling in at flyhalf for Hartpury, played his part in a thrilling duel between the number 10s. Like Gwintsa, he impressed with his vision and distribution and scored one of Hartpury’s four tries.
In the following match, Windhoek High School’s right-wing Luke Saal continued the theme of outside backs dominating, diving over for a brace in the Namibian side’s 32–10 victory over Clifton College.
Windhoek’s backline lapped up their opportunities, accounting for five of their six tries, which also included Saal’s colleague, left-wing, Sergio Steenkamp, visiting behind Clifton’s try line. The only five-pointer scored by the forwards went the way of lock, Isaiah Kazondovi, who powered over for a well-deserved try after a strong performance in the engine room.
SCORERS
Mzwandile Mali XV 40 (19) – Tries: Sphenati April (2), Jerath Pieterse, Amile Mkatswa, Matthew Goliath, Sibabalwe Gwintsa. Conversions: Gwintsa (4), Someleze Mavata. Hartpury College 2nd XV 24 (5) – Tries: Theo Bentley, Harri Davies, Arthur Shrimpton, Harrison Ravenscroft. Conversions: Ravenscroft (2).
Windhoek High School 32 (17) – Tries: Luke Saal (2), Isaiah Kazondvi, Steven van Wyk, Sergio Steenkamp, Xavier Bampton. Conversion: William Beukes. Clifton 10 (7) – Try: Bradley Beeslaar. Conversion: Troy Young. Penalty: Young.
