Playing in green jerseys, the SA Schools side outscored their opponents in white by eight tries to three, ahead of the Test-series decider between the Springboks and Wales at Cape Town Stadium.

Both sides came out to play with intent and in the end, the SA Schools side showed why the selectors handed them the honours of playing in green, although they didn’t have it all their own way during 70 minutes of action.

SA Schools took a 26-13 lead at the break after an entertaining first half in which five tries were scored, four of them by the team in green.

Hooker Luca Bakkes scored the first after some great play from a turnover in the second minute. Flyhalf Thurlon Williams added the extras to put his side in the lead by 7-0.

Fifteen minutes later, wing Joel Leotlela scored out wide, although it was a bit fortunate as the ball was tapped back by an opponent, and the SA Schools side looked to be in control, leading by 12-0.

But a flurry of penalties – two of which were converted into points by SA Schools A flyhalf Bradley Giddy – brought the team in white back into the frame and when centre Antonio Bruiners scored from two mistakes by the SA Schools side, the A team took a 13-12 lead five minutes before the break.

Things then clicked for SA Schools as centre inside Joshua Boulle and No 8 Sibabalwe Mahashe crossed the whitewash after some slick handling and, with Williams converting both, the team in green took a 13-point lead at half time.

Not to be outdone, the SA Schools A side started the second half in brilliant fashion when Bruiners went over for his second try, also converted by Giddy, to make it a six-point game as both sides’ coaches rang the changes.

However, just like they did at the end of the first half, SA Schools hit back with two tries in quick succession as replacements lock Jack Waterhouse and scrumhalf Caleb Abrahams scored close to the sticks, with fellow substitute Stehan Heymans adding the extras to push the team in green into a 40-20 lead with just over 20 minutes to go.

Gaining ascendancy up front and playing with more confidence, the SA Schools side tightened their grip on the match and increased their lead with a Heymans penalty goal and a converted try by replacement flanker Thomas Dyer.

Scorers:

SA Schools 57 (26) – Tries: Luca Bakkes, Joel Leotlela, Joshua Boulle, Sibabalwe Mahashe, Jack Waterhouse, Caleb Abrahams, Thomas Dyer, Ruan Swart. Conversions: Thurlon Williams (3), Stehan Heymans (4). Penalty: Heymans.

SA Schools A 27 (13) – Tries: Antonio Bruiners (2), Keanu Coetzee. Conversions: Bradley Giddy (3). Penalties: Giddy (2).