Windhoek Afrikaanse Privaatskool (WAP) overpowered Windhoek Gymnasium 50-24 to win the Momentum Schools u19 Super Rugby League title on Saturday.
The teams were still deadlocked at 17-all at the halftime break, and 24-all shortly after the break, but WAP, also known as Affies, stepped up the tempo with a great display of forward power and incisive backline attacks to eventually run out comprehensive winners.
It was the third time in history that WAP, had won the title after their initial victories in 2018 and 2019, while they also took revenge after losing the 2022 final to Windhoek Gymnasium by a single point, 24-23.
In Saturday’s final, WAP opened the scoring when captain and scrumhalf Malan Esterhuyzen sneaked through from a tap penalty and with flyhalf Carter Loubser converting, they went 7-0 ahead.
Flyhalf Farenzel Cloete opened Gymnasium’s account with a penalty, and they went ahead for the first time when centre Fourie Steyn went over for a try after concerted pressure and with Cloete adding the conversion, Gymnasium went 10-7 ahead.
WAP, however, immediately regained the lead when centre Derek Nell went over for a converted try from a flowing backline attack, but Gymnasium were soon in front again when flanker Jandro Greef went over from an awesome driving maul, and with Cloete converting they went 17-14 ahead.
Loubser drew WAP level with a penalty as the teams went into the halftime break dead level at 17-all.
The battle for supremacy continued after the break with WAP going 24-17 ahead after flanker Dian Delport charged down a kick to score a converted try, but Gymnasium once again drew level at 24-24 when lock Buhlem Oelofsen went over for a converted try.
That, though, was the end of Gymnasium’s onslaught, as WAP took total control in the final quarter.
Fullback Jeray Cloete put them 29-24 ahead after a fine counterattack by wing Sergio Steenkamp, and when captain Esterhuizen went over for his second try they went 36-24 ahead.
Wing Luca Micillo made it 43-24 when he pounced onto a high ball to go over unopposed, while wing Sergio Steenkamp put the final nail in Gymnasium’s coffin when he finished off a counterattack from WAP’s try line to seal a comprehensive victory.
The results of the other age group finals were as follows:
Under 19 A: Windhoek High School 83-21 Tsumeb Gymnasium
Under 19 B: Windhoek Gymnasium II 32-10 WAP II
Under 19 C: De Duinesig 34-31 Walvis Bay Gymnasium
Under 15 A: Windhoek Gymnasium 32-31 M&K Gertze
Under 15 B: Roots 22-3 Dr Lemmer
Under 14 A: Windhoek Gymnasium 48-0 WHS
