WHS reigns supreme in Super League

Schools rugby
More than 3 000 fans attended the Saturday's finals.
Otis Daniels
Samsung Windhoek High School’s first team, the Kudu Bulls, turned on the style as they defeated King Price Windhoek Gymnasium’s Lions 41-24 in the final of the Standard Bank Namibia Secondary Schools Rugby (NSSR) Under-19 Super League on Saturday.

The same two finalists shared the 2023 league title. Both teams came out firing on all cylinders and in a very tactical and highly entertaining clash that often had the Hage Geingob Stadium crowd on their feet.

WHS took the upper hand with left wing Eathan Sinden’s first try in the 21st minute. Fullback Joshua Moller added the conversion and a penalty in the 27th minute (10-0).

Gym played to their strength and nr 8 and captain Ruan Agenbag crashed over from a line-out maul after 30 minutes (10-5). However, Sinden again in the 35th minute and Moller converted, making the score 17-5 at halftime.

WHS right wing Alejandro Morkel touched down for a third try in the 41st minute and Moller added the conversion (24-5). Gym lock Zander Le Roux rounded off a driving maul with their second try in the 45th minute. Flyhalf Waldré Kotze added the conversion and trimmed the WHS lead to 12 points (12-24).

WHS thwarted a Gym attack on their try-line and their inside centre, Eljoh Strauss, ran the whole length of the field to touch down in the 48th minute. Moller’s kick was on target (31-12).

Gymnasium launched another concerted effort and scrumhalf Janco Bredenhann beat the defence for his 57th minute try which Kotze converted (19-31).

WHS flyhalf William Beukes’s penalty was followed by another run-away try for outside centre Sammy Soobramoney, for Beukes to convert (41-19). Gymnasium’s Agenbag crashed over for his second try in the 70th minute. Kotze added the conversion (24-41).

WHS’s storming nr 8 and captain McHenry Kambatuka was named the best forward of the final, earning the Standard Bank MVP (Danie Botes Trophy). Soobramoney Sammy of WHS was named the best backline player of the final (Lu-Wayne Botes trophy).



U19 A League

Autohaus Afrikaans Privaatskool I defeated Elnatan Privaatskool I with 18-10 in the final of the U19 A League (effectively the fifth-place playoff).

Affies fullback No?lle Loubser opened the scoring with a penalty in the 11th minute (3-0).

Elnatan nr 8 Bootje Booysen crashed over for the first try in the 24th minute (5-3). Affies outside centre Roelof Venter’s try in the 32nd minute handed his side a three-point lead at halftime (8-5).

Affies reserve Berndt Otto crashed over for a try in the 43rd minute. Loubser added the conversion (15-5). Elnatan’s try by replacement Heinrich Kotze in the 50th minute brought them closer (10-15), but Loubser’s 57th minute penalty sealed the deal.



Other results and awards

U14A final: Windhoek Gymnasium beat WHS 36-5. WHS nr 8 Shamena Ashipala was named best forward and Gym flyhalf Allesandro Kathindi the best backline player.

U14 B final: M&K Gertze beat Dr Lemmer 31-12.

U15 A final: Whk Gymnasium beat Walvis Bay Private School (WBPS) 19-15. WBPS lock Leonardo Hailombe was named best forward and Gym inside centre Oliver Seager the best backline player.

U15 B final: WHS and Whk Gymnasium drew 13-13.

U19 D final: Whk Gymnasium III beat HTS II 20-5.

U19 C final: WHS III beat M&K Gertze II 49-43. M&K Gertze nr 8 Avandre Vogel was named best forward and WHS centre An-Ree Swartbooi the best back.

U19 B league: HTS Windhoek l beat M&K Gertze I 26-24. Best back M&K Gertze fullback Wesley Haukongo; best forward M&K Gertze nr 8 Arenzo Isaacs.

U19 premier B final: WHS II beat Windhoek Gym II 44-30 (halftime 20-23). Best back: Ignatius Kandowa (WHS centre); best forward Hafeni Mungungu (Gym lock).

U19 Super League bronze final: OK Moria I beat PSG Pro-Ed Academy 32-27 (halftime 10-19). Best back: Jano Erasmus (Moria centre); best forward Rivaldo Pienaar (Pro-Ed lock).

The M&K Gertze II nr 8 Avandre Vogel was awarded the Zana Botes Forward of the Final trophy. M&K Gertze I also won the Fair Play Trophy.