WAP ready to defend title in thrilling final
The Standard Bank Namibia Schools Sports Rugby semi-finals took place this weekend, with Windhoek Gymnasium and Windhoek Afrikaans Private School (WAP) booking a place in the Under-19 Super League final.
The Standard Bank Namibia Schools Sports Rugby semi-finals took place this weekend, with Windhoek Gymnasium and Windhoek Afrikaans Private School (WAP) booking a place in the under-19 Super League final.After finishing unbeaten on top of the league, the Windhoek Gymnasium Lions took on fourth-placed Moria in the first semi-final and looked highly impressive in running up a 50-8 win.
Gymnasium racked up eight tries to one and were already in full control at half-time (24-3).
Janneman Brand, captain of the Lions, said: “We had a very tough game. I hope the lads who got injured are okay. We are very relieved to get the win and we now put all our focus on the finals next weekend.”
On Saturday, Windhoek Affies came from behind (10-0) to eliminate Windhoek High School (WHS) 21-20.
Guns blazing
A tense match-up had the defending champions worried, as they were behind at halftime (10-7) after WHS came out guns blazing as they worked their quick right wing Jurgen Meyer over for two quick, but unconverted tries.
In the second half, WAP struck back immediately through a try by Nr 8 Heinrich Geldenhuys and dominated the tight phases. Affies fullback, Andre Siepker, converted three consecutive penalties that kept his team in the lead, despite another late WHS try by substitute Henry Otto.
Winslow Olivier, captain of WAP, said: “WHS brought their A-game. We fell behind early in the game and that was not a nice feeling in the semi-final. I trusted my boys to get the job done. We pulled together and we hung on till the end, happy with the result. We want to win it for the third time in a row!”
The first U-19 Super League final after the Covid-19 era is set to be a blockbuster, as the undefeated Lions take on the dangerous WAP, who won back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2019.