Youngsters impress as SA ‘A’ blank Zimbabwe Sables – south africa

MATCH REPORT: The South Africa ‘A’ side outscored the Zimbabwe Sables by six tries to none, defeating their African neighbours by 40-0 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday.

Young players such as Luan Giliomee, Markus Muller, Jaco Williams, Siposethu Mnebelele, Haashim Pead and, despite his red card, Yaqeen Ahmed put their hands up and showed they are the real deal for the future.

The older statesmen like captain Vincent and brother Emmanuel Tshituka, Ruben van Heerden and double World Cup winner Lukhanyo Am showed that they can add value to the main Bok side as well.

*To recap all the action, CLICK HERE!

SA ‘A’ put Zimbabwe under pressure from the outset by retaining possession from kick-off.

Zekhethelo Siyaya looked to have scored the first try but was denied after a TMO check deemed that he had a foot in touch.

He was denied moments later once more for being in front of the kicker.

The hosts finally opened the scoring through an individual effort by Ahmed, who sold a dummy and planted the ball under the posts before converting his own try.

Centre Muller scored against the run of play in the 21st minute after scooping up a loose ball in his first touch of the match to run in the second try under the posts for SA ‘A’. Ahmed added the extras.

Pead dotted down for SA ‘A’s third try in the 31st minute with a show and go at the breakdown inside Zimbabwe’s red zone. Ahmed slotted the conversion for a 21-point lead.

Siyaya left the field in clear agony after receiving an accidental leg to the face whilst on the ground and was replaced by Jurenzo Julius in the 35th minute.

The match report continues below…

Trouble came for Ahmed in the 52nd minute after chasing his own kick on a penalty advantage in the Sables’ red zone, taking out Zimbabwe’s Tapiwa Mafura in the in-goal area.

Ahmed copped a yellow card for his actions, which was later upgraded to a 20-minute red card.

The first points in the second half came through Nico Steyn in the 55th minute, who sniped from close range to force his way over the line. Giliomee added the extras for a 28-0 lead.

Replacement Imad Khan, seconds after coming off the bench, crossed the line off a Williams offload to ensure the result is beyond doubt for the hosts. Giliomee’s conversion was successful.

Williams put the cherry on top with a try as the fulltime siren sounded off a speculative exit kick by the Sables to run it clear into the corner. Khan missed the conversion, but the job was done.

Player of the match: Jaco Williams was amazing on attack, but our award goes to Ruben van Heerden. The second row forward showed he can be considered for the main Bok team. He made the second most tackles (16), won a turnover and made nine carries.

*See the scores and scorers below!

Scorers

For SA ‘A’:
Tries: Ahmed, Muller, Pead, Steyn, Khan, Williams
Cons: Ahmed 3, Giliomee 2

For Zimbabwe: None

Twenty-minute red card (upgraded from yellow): Yaqeen Ahmed (SA ‘A’, 56′ – Dangerous play: tackling a player in the air)

Teams:

SA ‘A’: 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Jaco Williams, 13 Markus Muller, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 10 Yaqeen Ahmed, 9 Haashim Pead, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Bathobele Hlekani, 6 Emmanuel Tshituka, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Vincent Tshituka (captain), 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Siphosethu Mnebelele, 1 Boan Venter
Replacements: 16 Liam van Wyk, 17 Oliver Reid, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Adre Smith, 20 Siba Mahashe, 21 Nico Steyn, 22 Imad Khan, 23 Jurenzo Julius

Zimbabwe: 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Trevor Gurwe, 13 Brandon Mudzekenyedzi, 12 Kudza Mashawi, 11 Edward Sigauke, 10 Bruce Houston, 9 Hilton Mudariki (captain), 8 Tinotenda Blithe Mavesere, 7 Dyan Utete, 6 Simbarashe Siraha, 5 Gary Porter, 4 Kudakwashe Nyakufaringwa, 3 Bornwell Gwinji, 2 Simba Mandioma, 1 Victor Mapunga.
Replacements: 16 Liam Larkan, 17 Tijde Visser, 18 Michael Kumbirai, 19 Daniel Cooke, 20 Tadiwanashe Gwashu, 21 Aiden Burnett, 22 Keegan Joubert, 23 Dion Khumalo.

Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron
Assistant referees: Sean Muller, Dylen November
TMO: Marius Jonker