WHS back on top 

Windhoek High School won the Standard Bank Schools u19 Super League title outright for the first time in eight years when they beat Windhoek Gymnasium 41-24 in Saturday’s final. 

Last year the two arch enemies shared the spoils in a 34-34 draw, while WHS’ previous title success came way back in 2016 when they beat Windhoek Afrikaanse Privaat Skool 42-27. 

Since then they had only been in last year’s final, but on Saturday they added another chapter in their illustrious history with an emphatic victory. 

The two sides weighed up evenly in the forward exchanges, but Windhoek Gymnasium seldom managed to break through WHS’ committed defence, while WHS had the upper hand in attack, where their fleet-footed backs ran in some scintillating tries. 

After applying some early pressure, WHS opened their account midway through the first half when their forwards built up some phases before captain McHenry Kambatuku sent leftwing Ethan Sinden away on an overlap try converted by flyhalf William Beukes. 

Fullback Joshua Moller added a penalty but Windhoek Gymnasium finally opened their account when captain and eighthman Ruan Agenbag went over from a forward maul. 

WHS, however, finished the half on the ascendancy when centre Sammy Soobramoney finished off a hand-to-hand movement between forwards and backs, and with Moller putting over a great conversion from the touchline they took a 17-5 lead at the halftime break.

Gymnasium came back with a vengeance in the second half with Agenbag prominent in their attacks, but WHS stretched their lead when rightwing Alejandro Morkel tore away from a quick counter-attack to dive over for an unconverted try. 

Gymnasium’s forwards came charging back, bashing away at WHS’ line and lock Zander le Roux finally broke through WHS’ defence to go over for a try, and with flyhalf Waldre Kotze adding the conversion they were within touching distance with a 24-12 deficit. 

Gymnasium continued to attack but their hopes were finally dashed when WHS scrumhalf Dominique Isaaks finished off another swift counter-attack by Morkel, and with Moller converting they went 31-12 ahead. 

Gymnasium struck back when scrumhalf Janco Bredenhann went over from broken play, but Beukes put over a penalty for WHS before Soobramoney touched down after another scintillating counterattack and with Beukes converting they went 41-19 ahead. 

Windhoek Gymnasium skipper Agenbach was rewarded with a late consolation try from a forward maul but it was too little too late as WHS sealed an impressive 41-24 victory.