WHS and Gymnasium book final spots
Schools rugby
Windhoek High School took revenge on WAP to set up a final with defending champions Windhoek Gymnasium.
Hage Geingob Stadium lit up on Friday as the Standard Bank Namibia Secondary School Rugby (NSSR) Under 19 Super League semi-finals took place. Samsung Windhoek High School (WHS) faced a tough challenge as they took on the rival who eliminated them in the 2022 semi-final – Autohaus Windhoek Afrikaans Private School (WAP).
When these teams met earlier in August at Vegkop, WHS convincingly won the game 49-23.
In their semi-final clash on Friday, WHS again put on an exhilirating performance as they beat a stubborn WAP 36-31.
Affies fly-half Van der Merwe Tromp showed determined fighting spirit to score three tries for Affies, along with one by flank Walther Otto and a penalty try. Tromp also landed two conversions.
However, WHS’s scintillating backline play resulted in tries for flyhalf Caeden Moller, fullback William Beukes and left wing Jurgen Meyer (2).
Moller and inside centre Davito van Wyk each sent through a spectacular drop goal through the uprights, on either side of halftime, as the Kudu Bulls displayed their ability to respond when challenged. From the kicking tee, Van Wyk (two conversions, one penalty) and Beukes (penalty) also added points.
Pieter-Jan Strydom, the young nr. 8 who captained WHS earlier in the season until the recent return of Luca Cindano from injury, said afterwards: “I’m really proud of the boys, we came out with a plan and it worked, so now we look forward to the final.”
WHS overcame yellow card to prop Joshua Bester and scrumhalf Dominique Isaacks on their way to securing their place in the final.
Champions advance
Title holders and log leaders Schoemans Group Windhoek Gymnasium cruised past PSG Pro-Ed Academy, easily winning by 39-12 after racing to a 24-0 lead.
The second half was especially error-ridden and seldom lived up to the drama and suspense of the first semi-final.
Gymnasium wing Suramie Qhena-Kambombo, who scored another wonderful try, said: “The game was great, for now we enjoy that moment, rest and recover for the final.”
Kambombo was on hand to collect a kick forward by scrum-half Denver Beukes which Pro-Ed failed to control, as he raced through without a hand laid on him.
Gymnasium’s left wing Carlo Hawanga, full-back Janré van Zyl, centre Stephan Gildenhuys, nr. 8 and captain Janneman Brand and flank Ruan Agenbag were their other try scorers.
Two conversions and a penalty by fly-half JW Visagie and one conversion by Denver Beukes were successful.
Pro-E’s tries were scored by flank Shaheem Kharuxab and lock JP Campbell, with one converted by flyhalf Maughan Jarman.
The result means WHS will face the defending champions in the Standard Bank NSSR U19 Super League final as they’ll take on defending champions Schoemans Group Windhoek Gymnasium I.
In the U19 A league, OK Food Moria beat Tsumeb Gymnasium 12-5 and Elnatan put on a great performance to beat Walvis Bay Private School (WBPS) 32-29.
The finals in all NSSR leagues are expected to take place on 9 September at the Hage Geingob stadium.