Siyaya’s second hat-trick extends SA Schools victory
This year’s annual clash between the South African Schools’ side and their second stringers, if you can call it that, the SA Schools A-side, once again belonged to Zekehethelo Siyaya of Westville Boys’ High.
Siyaya scored a second hat-trick of tries in this clash, as he also achieved this feat during last year’s match. The SA Schools side won the clash on Hoërskool Middelburg’s A-field by an emphatic 49-14.
Watch the match again on SuperSport Schools (www.supersportschools.com).
The Green and Gold made an early statement with a second-minute try.
On the counter attack, scrumhalf Morné Noble, decided to pass the ball down the blindside. The ball was sent out wide, where left wing, Jadrian Afrikaner, dotted down thanks to an overlap. Flyhalf, Liyema Nela, added the extras from the kicking tee.
Having scored a hat-trick in this fixture last year, Westville fullback Zekhethelo Siyaya, reminded us of his capabilities with a 17th minute try. He received a pass out wide on the counter attack. He then cut inside and slipped through a tackle before stepping past the opposition defender, running in an incredible 40 metre individual try. Nela added the extras.
SA Schools extended their lead in the 27th minute, with a driving maul from a lineout only 10 metres away from the opposition goal-line. Paul Roos hooker Altus Rabe, dotted down the try. Nela nailed the corner conversion.
On the brink of half-time, Schools selected a scrum near the Schools A five-metre line. Noble passed the ball out to the backline. Siyaya wrapped around to join the centres. He received the ball and ran through space to score his second of the match. Nela coolly collected the extras.
Siyaya completed a hat-trick for the second year running in the 43rd minute. After receiving a skip pass from Captain and Paarl Gimnasium centre, Markus Muller, Siyaya attempted a grubber, but the ball bounced off the defender and back into his hands. He then decided to cut inside, where he ran in to score his third try of the match. Affies flyhalf Ruben Groenewald added the extras off the kicking tee.
SA Schools A secured their first points in the 50-59th minute. Paarl Boys’ High hooker, Tommy Muller, dotted down for five. Stellenberg flyhalf, Ethan van Biljoen, added the extras.
Schools scored again from a lineout maul just 10 metres away from the Schools A goal-line. Noordheuwel hooker, Clinton Agu, dotted down the try in the 60th minute. Groenewald added the extras.
After a series of phases inside the Schools A 22 metre area, Paul Roos loose forward, Gert Kemp, picked the ball up and dove over the try line from just two metres out. Groenewald was quick to add the 63rd minute extras.
Schools A struck again in the 67th minute. After a series of phases inside the Schools 22, the Schools A forwards began picking up the ball and trying to drive over the goal-line. Eventually, Paarl gim prop, Pieta Cilliers, muscled his way over for five. Biljon added the extras.
Not a single kick was missed off the tee today. This small stat, along with some larger ones from today, showed the quality of players that the South African school system is producing. For example, Siyaya scored a hat-trick in this fixture for the second year in a row. Barring injury or any other unforeseen circumstances, one can only assume that he, and others like him, have bright futures ahead of them.
Scorers:
SA Schools 49 (28) – Tries: Zekhethelo Siyaya (3), Jadrian Afrikaner, Altus Rabe, Clinton Agu, Gert Kemp. Conversions: Liyema Nela (4), Ruben Groenewald (3). SA Schools A 14 (0) – Tries: Tommy Muller, Pieta Cilliers. Conversions: Ethan van Biljon (2).
