Senior International Matches (Men) : Men's International

Wed 4th December 2024   - KO  18:00 - Centurion Rugby Club, Pretoria

South Africa

18

FT

38

Half Time
12 - 20

United States of America

Tries

Goals

South Africa, USA name squads for opening match of series

South Africa and USA have named their squads for a two game senior international series in Pretoria this week.

The first clash takes place at Centurion Rugby Club on Wednesday December 4 (kick off 18:00 local time), with the second Test on Saturday December 7 at Grizzlies Rugby Club (kick off 16:00). Both matches will be for world ranking points, the new listing of which will be issued in the aftermath.

This will be the first time the Rhinos have hosted the Hawks, with their last meeting, in October 2011 in Philadelphia, seeing USA win 40-4.

Both nations have picked domestic only players in a further attempt to develop the game in their respective nations, with South Africa building up to the 2025 World Series against France, Jamaica and Cook Islands looking for a spot in the 2026 World Cup.

South Africa have also announced their intention to bid to host the 2030 IRL Men’s World Cup tournament.

“We are excited to welcome USA Hawks and look forward to what promises to be a competitive and high-quality series of matches,” said Andre Coetzer, Rhinos’ team manager. “This is an incredible opportunity to test ourselves on the international stage.”

The Rhinos could have nine players making their international debut.

“This venture will prove to our lads the level of preparation needed, mental and body wise, to compete at this level," South Africa coach, Fanie Bredenhann, said, 

USA coach Sean Rutgerson gained three caps for the Rhinos in 2000 World Cup.

“We look forward to this opportunity, two games in South Africa is a real challenge to the players,” Rutgerson said. “It's a great chance for them to grow as we continue to build the programme.”

Veteran Hawks captain Peter Lupton, the Boston 13s playmaker, played for a number of British clubs - notably London, Hull, Castleford and Workington, as well as gaining caps for Wales.

“This tour is a great test for the USARL to show the intent of being a strong nation for the next World Cup cycle,” Lupton said.

It is intended that the matches will be live streamed, with details to follow.

SOUTH AFRICA SQUAD

Allan Kasselman, Brandan Le Sar, Chrisjan Meyer, CP Louw, Dylan Venter, Franco van Deventer, Heinrich Rademeyer, Jason Makari, Jean Coetzer, Marcelle Corneelsen, Simba Janga, Wessel Cronje, Wynand de Sousa (Harlequins RL), James Cambell, Junaide Seedat, C-Jay Strauss, Frikkie Jansen, Graig Pienaar, Rourke Lyte-Mason (Nigel Rabbitohs)

USA SQUAD

Anson Jiang, Peter Lupton (Boston 13s) Tevita Bryce, Kyle Granby, Derek Lipscomb, Dom Sofe, Anthony Russo (Brooklyn Kings) Ryan Burroughs, Max Dacey, Ethan Ferrick, Daniel Vidot (DC Cavalry) Ryan Bannerot, Mason McCrory, David Washington (Jacksonville Axemen) Ulice Gillard, Wes Piggins, Andre Williams (Southwest Florida Copperheads) Joe Eichner, Gunnar Johnson (Tampa Mayhem)   

2 December 2024

A hat trick by Southwest Florida Copperheads winger Andre Williams was the difference between the sides as USA beat South Africa 38-18 in their opening men’s senor international at Centurion Rugby Club, Pretoria.

In warm conditions, the visitors started impressively, former professional Daniel Vidot opening the scoring on his debut in the fourth minute, Williams and second-rower Wes Piggins giving the Hawks an early 16-0 lead. The Rhinos responded and C-Jay Strauss’s try just before half time made it 12-20 at the break.

Hawks skipper, Peter Lupton, said: “We coped well with the travel and it was a good match. The Rhinos are a physical side and stuck to it for the full eighty minutes and never packed up. Our debutants did well getting us over the gain line but we went away from the game plan a couple of times and that cost us, we need to be more respectful of possession.”

Livewire USA hooker Mason McCrory crossed at the start of the second half to go with his three goals but again the Rhinos hung in, Crisjan Meyer again cutting the deficit just before the hour. But USA finished strongly, with Williams sealing his treble and late tries for Derek Lipscomb and scrum half Ryan Bannerot.

Rhinos’ co-captain, prop C P Louw, commented: “We knew it was going to be physical early on but the boys stuck together, there were just some small errors that we made and I think we can regroup. Our new players stepped up and I think the next game will be a different picture, we know we have to shift the ball to expose them.”

The second Test will be played on Saturday at Grizzlies Rugby Club, Pretoria.

SOUTH AFRICA 18

Junaid Seedat, Brandan Le Sar, Heinrich Rademeyer, Wynand de Sousa, Graig Pienaar, Jean Coetzer, Jason Makhari, C P Louw,  Franco van Deventer, Rourke Lyte-Mason, Simba Janga, C-Jay Strauss, Alan Kasselman. Subs: Crisjan Meyer, Dylan Venter, Wessel Cronje, Frikkie Jansen

Tries:  Makhari (29), Strauss (39), Meyer (57); Goals: Makhari 3/3

USA 38

David Washington, Ethan Ferrick, Ryan Burroughs, Daniel Vidot, Andre Williams, Ryan Bannerot, Peter Lupton, Tevita Bryce, Mason McCrory, Anthony Russo, Wes Piggins, Joe Eichner, Anson Jiang. Subs: Dom Sofe, Derek Lipscomb, Kyle Granby, Max Dacey

Tries: Vidot (4), Williams (16, 35, 63), Piggins (35), McCrory (47), Lipscomb (72), Bannerot (79); Goals: McCrory 3/5, Granby 0/3

Half time: 12-20

Referee: Cody Kuxmann

2 December 2024