BRIVE-LA-GAILLARDE, France (25 June 2016) – The South African Universities Team are in a strong position heading into the weekend at the 16th World University Golf Championships at Golf de Planchetorte in Brive-la-Gaillarde in France.

The South African trio lag just seven shots off the pace from joint leaders Ireland and France.

Luke Jerling and Rupert Kaminski combined for an opening seven over 151 to secure overall fifth in the Mens Team standings in round one and the team moved to fourth in the standings after posting 152 in round two.

Jerling from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University opened with a three-over-par 75 and Oklahoma City University student Kaminski added a 76, while Andrew van der Knaap from the University of Pretoria posted a non-counting 80.

Van der Knaap anchored the side with a second round 73, while Jerling added a 79 and Kaminski returned a non-counting 82.

“It’s been tough scoring at the Golf de Planchetorte, but we are pretty pleased to be within striking distance of the leaders with two rounds to go,” said team manager, Emile Steinmann from TuksGolf Club & Academies.

“As we determined in our practice rounds, the tight layout is really demanding and you are severely punished if you veer just a fraction off course with your tee shots. We really struggled to get momentum in the second round.

“Andrew played really well. He had a great ball striking day and managed to hit 14 greens in regulation, which around this course, is really unbelievable. Unfortunately all the putts didn’t drop; he had a couple of putts that just stopped on the edge and had a few unlucky breaks.

“Rupert and Luke just had their really tough day. Bounces not going their way, and nothing going their way on the greens. But the guys are very positive and they are playing for each other and I believe these guys have the gas to go all the way.”

PHOTO – Team SA at the 16th World University Golf Championships; credit FISU Photo Archives.