WHS and Gymnasium pick strong sides for semi-finals
Schools rugby
Third- and fourth-placed finishers PSG Pro-Ed and OK Moria will give their best to deliver an upset.
The long-awaited Standard Bank NSSR semi-finals for 2024 kick off today at the Hage Geingob Stadium and promises a weekend full of excitement that showcases the pride of the country's top rugby-playing high schools.Friday's program concludes with two intense under-19 matches. In the Super League, Samsung Windhoek High School, who finished at the top of the standings, will face Moria, who finished fourth.
WHS and King Price Windhoek Gymnasium shared the 2023 title when they drew 34-34 in the final.
Just before that, Compack Tsumeb Gimnasium will face Autohaus Windhoek Affies in the under-19 A-League, which promises another tense game.
Both teams started the premier league season with high expectations and although it did not go according to their wishes, the A league will be a chance to at least finish with a trophy.
Fans don't have to miss a moment of the action as NTV broadcasts the matches live from 15:15.
The excitement continues on Saturday. In the U19 Super League, Windhoek Gymnasium will be the favourites against PSG Pro-Ed Academy, with the preceding tiebreaker in the A League between PSG Walvis Bay Private School and Elnatan Private School.
For those who cannot be there to experience the action first-hand, these matches can be followed live on NTV (DStv channel 285 or GoTV 25) or online at https://oneuptwo.com.
The squad lists for the U19 Super League semi-finals:
Samsung WHS: 15 Joshua Moller, 14 Eathan Sinden, 13 Sammy Soobramoney, 12 Eljoh Strauss, 11 Alejandro Morkel, 10 William Beukes, 9 Dominique Isaacs, 8 McHenry Kambatuku (C), 7 Jed Bekker, 6 Pieter-Jan Strydom, 5 Keanan Louw, 4 Isaiah Kazondovi, 3 Joshua Bester, 2 Marchall Klein, 1 Tauno Hamukoto.
Bench: Xavier Louw, Charlton Binga, Cashton Cloete, Luke Saal, Keathan Klazen, Ignatius Kandowa, Sergio Steenkamp, Xavier Bampton. Coaches: Jan Dames / Devano Alcock.
OK Moria Bere: 15 Franco Engelbrecht, 14 Jazario Drotsky, 13 Bertus Narib, 12 Jano Erasmus (C), 11 Joseph Martins, 10 Francois von Solms, 9 Du Rand Louw, 8 Benjamin Mostert, 7 Connor Burmeister-Nel, 6 Keyo Kruger, 5 Ryno de Sousa, 4 Christiaan van Zyl, 3 Wian Maartens, 2 Ruan Anthonissen, 1 Johan Gabrielsen.
Bench: Ian Speelman, Henning Pienaar, William Pienaar, Alexander bertelsmann, Tjeruka Tueutjiua, Romario Hoseb, Armand Esterhuizen, Ruan Brand. Coaches: Reino du Toit / TW Koorts.
King Price Windhoek Gymnasium: 15 Carlo Hawanga, 14 Pieter-Stephan Stassen, 13 Janré van Zyl, 12 JD Jankowitz, 11 Angelo Swartbooi, 10 Waldré Kotze, 9 Janco Bredenhann, 8 Ruan Agenbag (C), 7 Roché Brand, 6 Vincent Scholtz, 5 Zander le Roux, 4 Buhlem Oelofsen, 3 Daniël du Toit, 2 Jayvin du Plessis, 1 Rudolph Harmse
Bench: Janco van Tonder, Gideon van Rensburg, Gert Pretorius, 19 Hafeni Mungungu, Noah-Luke Dihawa, Jan-Daniël de Villiers, Quinn Ellis, John-Daniel Meintjies. Coaches: Mauritz Thirion / Jaco Engels.
PSG Pro-Ed Academy: 15 Cobus Esterhuyzen, 14 Alvandro Diergaardt, 13 Tayton Saunders (C), 12 Jandre Robberts, 11 Marc Holloway, 10 Maughan Jarman, 9 Justin Engelbrecht, 8 Sameul Venter, 7 Liam Nasilowski, 6 JC Labuschagne, 5 Jivaldo Pienaar, 4 Oliver van Wyk, 3 Kevin Behne, 2 De Wet Dorn-Schnirring, 1 André Strauss.
Bench: Zayden Schreuder, Noe Monleau, Novik Drotsky, Phillip Robberts, Miles Narib. Coaches: Thys Saunders / Riaan Robberts.