JOHANNESBURG (27 January 2015) – South Africa enjoyed a productive first day against France at St Francis Links and will carry a five point lead into the final of the two-day Test on Wednesday.

The South African six-pack scored a clean sweep in the morning Foursomes and claimed four points in the afternoon Singles to lead the Test 7 – 2.

Southern Cape’s Jovan Rebula and Keegan de Lange from Gauteng North defeated Antoine Kuoch and Leo Mathard 5 & 3 to claim first blood in the Foursomes.

Gauteng North’s JP Cooper and Herman Loubser from Boland proved too tough a combination for Antoine Auboin and Victor Veyret, who went down 2 & 1, while Central Gauteng pair Marco Steyn and Dylan Naidoo completed the whitewash with a 2 & 1 victory against Jeong-Weon Ko and Paul Foulquie.

Ernie Els & Fancourt Foundation member Rebula kept South Africa in the driver’s seat when he handed Foulguie a 5 & 4 drubbing and former Nomads SA Boys U-15 champion Loubser took their tally to five points with a 5 & 3 result against Kuoch.

French Junior Order of Merit leader Ko and Mathard hit back for France, though.

Mathard defeated Cooper 5 & 3 to break the local momentum, while Ko whipped Nomads SA Boys U-17 champion Naidoo 3 & 2 to put two points on the board for the visitors.

However, reigning ProShop Northern Amateur champion Steyn got the South African challenge back on track when he downed Auboin 3 & 2.

Recent Dr Bam winner De Lange survived a tough battle against Veyvret, who represented France in the inaugural Test last year, and clinched the final point on offer with a 1-up result.

FOURSOMES RESULT
Jovan Rebula & Keegan de Lange beat Antoine Kuoch & Leo Mathard 5 & 3
JP Cooper & Herman Loubser beat Antoine Auboin & Victor Veyret 2 & 1
Marco Steyn & Dylan Naidoo beat Jeong-Weon Ko & Paul Foulquie 2 & 1

SINGLES RESULT
JP Cooper lost Leo Mathard 3 & 2
Herman Loubser beat Antoine Kuoch 5 & 3
Dylan Naidoo lost Jeong-Weon Ko 3 & 2
Keegan de Lange beat Victor Veyret 1-up
Marco Steyn beat Antoine Auboin 3 & 2
Jovan Rebula beat Paul Foulquie 5 & 4

PHOTO: The South African and French teams at St Francis Links; credit Charl Blaauw.
Written and released by Lali Stander on behalf of the South African Golf Association.