There may not have been any serious silverware at stake in the Springbok Showdown in Cape Town on Saturday, but for the Green and Gold squads winning was front of mind when they clashed at Newlands.
Green vs Gold: Springbok showdown match report
After a cagey opening, Damian Willemse had a chance to put Gold ahead from the kicking tee but skewed his effort wide.
Moments later a collapsed scrum gave the Green team the chance to establish a lead and Elton Jantjies made no mistake.
Forward dominance saw Green extend their lead after another penalty was goaled by Jantjies as the second quarter of the game proceeded.
Willemse eventually got the Gold team on the board but his boot would let him down in the first 40.
Both sides were resolute in their defence which made it difficult for any sort of attacking rhythm to be built up
The first half was Test match like but also blighted by errors and Willemse missed two further shots at goal that derailed the efforts of a Gold team that seemed to be getting the upper hand later in the half.
Half time
Willemse’s match got that much worse just after the break when he was sent to the sin bin and gave away a penalty try after pulling back Yaw Penxe who appeared to be winning the race to a loose ball in the Gold in-goal area.
Watch: Green awarded a penalty try
Curwin Bosch cam onto the field for Gold and took over the kicking but he too missed a shot at goal moments later.
Bosch eventually got Gold back into the game with a 40-metre goal but soon after they suffered another setback.
Green powered over with a maul from a linout five out from the Gold line. Siya Kolisi coming up with the ball to confirm a captain’s try.
Gold made some strides and kept the Green team pegged in their own half but a penalty goal from Bosch to make it 18-9 was all they had to show for their efforts.
A set move late in the match allowed Green to score their third try after a lucky bounce allowed Juarno Augustus to pounce and score.
Gold could not get a consolation score and the match would finish 25-9 in favour of Green.
Springbok Showdown: Green vs Gold – relive the action with our updates
Teams
Springbok Green:
15 – Gianni Lombard
14 – Yaw Penxe
13 – Wandisile Simelane
12 – Frans Steyn
11 – Malcolm Jaer
10 – Elton Jantjies
9 – Sanele Nohamba
8 – Duane Vermeulen
7 – Arno Botha
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain)
5 – Hyron Andrews
4 – JD Schickerling
3 – Luan de Bruin
2 – Bongi Mbonambi
1 – Ox Nche
Replacements:
16 – Schalk Erasmus
17 – Kwenzo Blose
18 – Thomas du Toit
19 – JJ van der Mescht
20 – Juarno Augustus
21 – Junior Pokomela
22 – Embrose Papier
23 – Manie Libbok
24 – Jeremy Ward
25 – Kade Wolhuter
Springbok Gold:
15 – Warrick Gelant
14 – Rosko Specman
13 – Lukhanyo Am (captain)
12 – Rikus Pretorius
11 – Courtnall Skosan
10 – Damian Willemse
9 – Herschel Jantjies
8 – Sikhumbuzo Notshe
7 – Nizaam Carr
6 – Marco van Staden
5 – Marvin Orie
4 – Salmaan Moerat
3 – Ruan Dreyer
2 – Scarra Ntubeni
1 – Steven Kitshoff
Replacements:
16 – Dylan Richardson
17 – Dylan Smith
18 – Carlü Sadie
19 – Jason Jenkins
20 – James Venter
21 – Vincent Tshituka
22 – Ivan van Zyl
23 – Curwin Bosch
24 – Werner Kok
25 – Manuel Rass
