GEORGE. – The Free Staters were clearly more than a bit angry after their record fifth successive defeat at the Craven Week when they took the field at Outeniqua Park for their second clash of the 58th edition of the tournament here.
Free State defeated the Western Province XV comprehensively by 54-14 in their second clash of the tournament. This after the team from Bloemfontein suffered a shock defeat of 23-26 against Eastern Province during Day 1.
Free State’s pack of forwards laid the foundation for the victory as they completely overpowered Western Province in the physical exchanges during the match.
This came mostly due to their locks, Jaco Grobbelaar and Marno Stopforth, as well as the flanker, Keegan Scholtz, and captain and eighthman, JJ Theron.
Free State already had the game in the bag by half-time with a comfortable lead of 42-0. Their flyhalf, Ian van der Merwe, also packed his kicking boots as he converted seven of his sides eight tries. Van der Merwe was also named Man of the Match after his kicking performance as well as the way that he dictated play.
It would probably be the correct description to state that the hosts, South Western Districts, stole their 22-19 victory over the Valke in the first match of Day 3 of the tournament. Their inside centre, Kurt Coetzee, scored the winning try in the last movement of the match with a mere 40 seconds left on the clock to give his side the lead for the first time in the match at 20-19.
The Valke led by 11-5 at the break with flyhalf, Duan du Toit, slotting two penalties and outside centre, Lynghe Pretorius, scoring his side’s try. Pretorius was later red carded for a dangerous tackle.
Flankers, Divan du Plooy and Andre Roux, also both got yellow carded in the second half which meant that the Valke played most of the half with only 13 players.
Du Toit had an opportunity to stretch his side lead to 22-10 with a fourth penalty but struck the upright. Less than a minute later Keenan Jantjies scored for the home side to get his side within touching distance to be able to grab the victory.
SWD’s winger Jay-Jay Daters was once again in superb form for his side, while flanker Dewald Gerber also deserves a pat on the back for his performance.
The Valke’s lock Reon Pretorius put in a massive performance for his side. He was well-deservedly named Man of the Match after putting his body on the line but would probably rather swop his award for a Valke-victory.
Scorers:
Free State 54 (42) – Tries: Christiaan van der Westhuizen, Ranon Fouche, JJ Theron, Jean-Henri Smit, Pieter van der Merwe, Stefan Venter, Keagan Scholtz, Phiwe Mkunjana. Conversions: Ian van der Merwe (7). Western Province XV 14 (0) – Tries: Daniel van der Merwe, Louw du Toit. Conversion: JT George (2).
South Western Districts 22 (5) – Tries: Brendon Gouws, Jay-Jay Daters, Keenan Jantjies, Kurt Coetzee. Conversion: Elgernon Meyer. Valke 19 (11) – Tries: Lynghe Pretorius, Oregopotse Shilubane. Penalties: Duan du Toit (3).
South Western Districts 22 (5) – Tries: Brendon Gouws, Jay-Jay Daters, Keenan Jantjies, Kurt Coetzee. Conversion: Elgernon Meyer. Valke 19 (11) – Tries: Lynghe Pretorius, Oregopotse Shilubane. Penalties: Duan du Toit (3).
Free State 54 (42) – Tries: Christiaan van der Westhuizen, Ranon Fouche, JJ Theron, Jean-Henri Smit, Pieter van der Merwe, Stefan Venter, Keegan Scholtz, Phiwe Mkunjana. Conversions: Ian van der Merwe (7). Western Province XV 14 (0) – Tries: Daniel van der Merwe, Louw du Toit. Conversion: JT George (2).
Eastern Province 40 (20) – Tries: De Wet Fourie (2), MC Strydom, Burrie Van Heerden, Imaani Pemba, Dominic Malgas. Conversions: Lucraine Muggels, Malgas. Penalties: Muggels, Malgas. Boland 26 (12) – Tries: James Daniels (2), Carick Kustoor (2). Conversions: Luan Giliomee (3).
Western Province 35 (27) – Tries: Haashim Pead, Jameel de Jongh, Justin Amos, Gilmerno Mentoe. Conversions: Yaqeen Ahmed (3). Penalty: Ahmed. Sharks 24 (14) – Tries: Liam Terblanche, Phiwayinkosi Kubheka, Maurice Willemse. Conversions: Chris Horak (3). Penalty: Horak.
GEORGE. – It is clear that the side who want to take top honours as the 58th Craven Week in George will have to first get past Western Province.
Western Province produced a dominant performance in the main match of the opening day at Outeniqua Park to defeat the hosts, South Western Districts, by 42-12.
It was Western Province’s tenth successive victory at the Craven Week. The team has been crowned the non-official champions at the last three tournaments (2022, 2019 and 2018).
Flanker Divan Fuller showed that he is without a doubt a player to look out for in future. He was superb on the ground as well as troubling the home side’s defence with some bullocking runs.
Fuller will without a doubt have received more than a couple of ticks from the SA Schools selectors after this performance.
The other standout performance came from outside Gino Cupido who also appeared on the pitch after half-time. He sliced through SWD’s defence almost at will. Cupido represented the SA Schools A-side as a winger in 2022.
Flyhalf, Kyle Smith, dictated play with some excellent tactical kicking as well as providing his backline with quality opportunities throughout the game. The eighthman, Aidan Norris, also has a monster of a match supporting Fuller in the physical aspects of the match.
SWD was better than what the scoreline reads. The home side created more than enough opportunities to score but squandered almost all of them. The tighthead prop, Juan Kleinhans, put forth a solid performance for the Ostrich farmers, while winger JJ Daters was probably his side’s standout performer on the day.
The Sharks produced an impressive performance to down the Western Province XV by 34-24 in their clash on the opening day. The team from KwaZulu-Natal managed to built up a more than comfortable 22-5 lead at half-time.
The backline was in top form as fullback, Jaco Williams, managed to create ample space for his side’s wingers, Siyabonga Ndlozi and Luyanda Kunene, to cause havoc to Western Province’s defence. Ndlozi scored a brace of tries, while Kunene also rounded off one of his side’s movements.
The Sharks’ flyhalf, Chris Horak, could also feel more than happy with his performance as his distribution and game management was excellent. Outside centre, Campbell Ridl, also had a good day at the office. He stands 1.96m tall in his socks but showed why he is rated as the top outside centre in KwaZulu-Natal. Pure class.
Scorers:
Western Province 42 (23) – Try: Zeke January, Cilliers Viljoen, Albie Bester, Haashim Pead, Xola Nyali, Gino Cupido. Conversion: Kyle Smith (3). Penalties: Smith (2). South Western Districts 12 (7) – Tries: Ashwen Damons, Andrew Stopforth. Conversion: Elgeron Meyer.
Sharks 34 (22) – Tries: Siyabonga Ndlozi (2), Campbell Ridl, Jaco Williams, Luyanda Kunene. Conversions: Chris Horak (3). Penalty: Horak. Western Province XV 24 (5) – Tries: Enslin Claasen, Juma Amissi, HB Odendaal, Torren February. Conversions: Daniel van der Merwe (2).
GEORGE. – The Free State suffered their record fifth successive defeat at the annual Craven Week when Eastern Province shocked them by 26-23 during the opening day of this year’s tournament at Outeniqua Park.
Eastern Province produced a superb performance in the second half to secure the victory after trailing by 6-16 at the break.
The initial spark was provided by winger Jamiane Dampies from the kick-off as he ran more than 60 metres past the Free State’s defence to score an exceptional try.
It was however the performances of their two loose-forwards De Wet Fourie (eighthman) and Ballo Hlekani (flanker) which kept the fire burning throughout. Fourie was named Man of the Match for his efforts. The duo managed to keep the dangerous JJ Theron (eighthman) at bay during the match.
Theron had to put more effort into the breakdown than usual which restricted the amount of opportunities he had to set-off on his dangerous runs.
Eastern Province’s flyhalf, Dominic Malgas, also played a major role to help secure the victory by keeping the scoreboard ticking over with his boot. He converted both his side’s tries and slotted four penalties. He also asked a couple of difficult questions to the Free Stater’s defence.
The side from Bloemfontein’s best player on the day was Marno Stopforth (flanker).
Free State last victory at the Craven Week was in 2019 in Bloemfontein when they managed to beat Boland on the second day of the tournament by 45-26. The streak of five losses is the most the Free Staters suffered since the inaugural tournament of 1964.
The Free Stater’s last victory over Eastern Province at the tournament was back in 2013 in Polokwane.
Boland kicked-off their 2023-campaign with a 26-19 victory over the Valke in the first match of the 58th edition of the Craven Week. The victorious side’s flanker Matt Ramoa made sure that the SA Schools selectors don’t forget about him with a memorable performance that saw him being named Man of the Match.
Boland’s halfback pairing of Callum van Staden and Luan Giliomee also could feel more than happy with their performances on the day.
For the Valke their wing Oregopotse Shilubane looked dangerous when he received possession.
Scorers:
Eastern Province 26 (6) – Tries: Jamiane Dampies, Hein Terblanche. Conversions: Dominic Malgas (2). Penalties: Malgas (4). Free State 23 (16) – Try: Marno Stopforth, Jean Erasmus. Conversions: Ian van der Merwe (2). Penalties: Van der Merwe (3).
Boland 26 (19) – Tries: Callum van Staden, Brendon September, Rickey Lesch, Petri van Dyk, Conversions: Luan Giliomee (3). Valke 19 (7) – Tries: v Zaide Leigh Dippenaar, Oregopotse Shilubane, Lynghe Pretorius, Conversions: Duan du Toit (2).
Boland 26 (19) – Tries: Callum van Staden, Brendon September, Rickey Lesch, Petri van Dyk, Conversions: Luan Gillomee (3). Valke 19 (7) – Tries: Zaide Leigh Dippenaar, Oregopotse Shilubane, Lynghe Pretorius, Conversions: Duan du Toit (2).
Eastern Province 26 (6) – Tries: Jamiane Dampies, Hein Terblanche. Conversions: Dominic Malgas (2). Penalties: Malgas (4). Free State 23 (16) – Try: Marno Stopforth, Jean Erasmus. Conversions: Ian van der Merwe (2). Penalties: Van der Merwe (3).
Sharks 34 (22) – Tries: Siyabonga Ndlozi (2), Campbell Ridl, Jaco Williams, Luyanda Kunene. Conversions: Chris Horak (3). Penalty: Horak. Western Province XV 24 (5) – Tries: Enslin Claasen, Juma Amissi, HB Odendaal, Torren February. Conversions: Daniel van der Merwe (2).
Western Province 42 (23) – Try: Zeke January, Cilliers Viljoen, Albie Bester, Haashim Pead, Xola Nyali, Gino Cupido. Conversion: Kyle Smith (3). Penalties: Smith (2). South Western Districts 12 (7) – Tries: Ashwen Damons, Andrew Stopforth. Conversion: Elgeron Meyer.
GEORGE. – Dié Suid-Afrikaanse Skole-keurders gaan sonder twyfel vanjaar ‘n veel moeiliker taak hê om die koring van die kaf tydens die 58ste Cravenweek-toernooi op Outeniqua-park hier te skei.
Die gesogte toernooi maak vir slegs die twee keer ‘n verskyning in George. Die vorige keer was in 1999.
Ons het soos gewoonlik besluit om weer vooraf ons lyf keurders te hou en ‘n span voor die toernooi te kies. Ons het nie enige rasteikens, wat die keurders boei, gebruik vir die kies van ons span nie.
Dit was reeds vroeër vanjaar duidelik dat daar nie veel te kies is tussen die voorste spelers op skolevlak in Suid-Afrika nie. Verskeie spelers wat verlede jaar reeds uitgestaan het en vanjaar eers matriek is, het nie weer so uitgetroon bo hul eie jaargroep nie.
Die moeilikste keuses wat ons moes maak was op heelagter asook op flank. Talentwerwers kan vanjaar kies en keur in die posisies. Ons keuse op heelagter het na JT Strydom van SWD gegaan wat reeds verlede jaar die SA A-span gehaal het.
WP se JC Mars was sover vanjaar ook witwarm in die laaste vesting en word op ons plaasvervangersbank ingesluit. Ander heelagters wat sterk aanspraakmakers behoort te wees is Cheswill Jooste (Leeus), Jaco Williams (Sharks) en Amani Somana (Grens).
Voorlangs in die lostrio het ons besluit op Abri van der Westhuysen en Divan Fuller aan die kant van die skrum. Met die woelikge Jean-Henri Smit (Vrystaat) wat van die plaasvervangersbank kan kom.
Agtsteman was ‘n maklike keuse met Vrystaat en Grey-kollege se kaptein, JJ Theron, wat nie vanjaar sy gelyke in Suid-Afrika op skoolvlak gehad het nie. Theron behoor ook ‘n sterk aanspraakmaker te wees om die SA Skole-span aan te voer.
Die grootste verrassing in ons span is waarskynlik die insluiting van Grey-kollege se Ian van der Merwe op losskakel. Van der Merwe het vanjaar vir sy skoolspan gewys dat hy met sy skopskoen weet hoe om ‘n gevaarlike agttal op die voorvoet te hou. Hy beskik ook oor die vermoë om sy agterlyn aan die gang te sit.
Dit sal in George is hewige stryd tussen hom, JT Kapank (Goue Leeus), Kyle Smith (WP) en Chris Horak (Sharks) om die nommer-tien SA Skole-trui wees.
In die middelveld sal daar ver gesoek moet word vir beter senters. Dimitre Erasmus (Blou Bulle) en Pieter van der Merwe (Vrystaat) behoort mekaar ook goed aan te vul. Van der Merwe bring die kaboem, terwyl Erasmus oor die finesse beskik om enige span se verdediging aan flarde te hardloop.
Ons kon nie plek in ons uitsoekspan vir verlede jaar se SA Skole A-haker, Christian Everitt, vind nie. Die SA Skole-keurders behoort wel weer dalk vir hom ‘n plek in hul span te vind.
Asook die Goue Leeus se kaptein en slot, Uli van der Westhuizen, wat verlede jaar die SA A-span gehaal het, maar weens ‘n besering vanaf die kamp teruggestuur is.
SuperSport Schools se span is:
15 JT Strydom (Outeniqua, SWD), 14 Gino Cupido (Strand, WP), 13 Dimitre Erasmus (Garsfontein, Blou Bulle), 12 Pieter van der Merwe (Grey-kollege, Vrystaat), 11 Jameel de Jongh (HJS Paarl, WP), 10 Ian van der Merwe (Grey-kollege, Vrystaat), 9 Haashim Pead (Bishops, WP), 8 JJ Theron (Grey-kollege, Vrystaat – kaptein), 7 Abri van der Westhuysen (Garsfontein, Blou Bulle), 6 Divan Fuller (HJS Paarl, WP), 5 Jayden Potgieter (Outeniqua, SWD), 4 Danio Botha (Paarl Gimnasium, WP), 3 Herman Lubbe (Stellenberg, WP), 2 Ruan Welman (Helpmekaar, Goue Leeus), 1 Phiwayinkosi Kubheka (Maritzburg College, Sharks). Plaasvervangers: 16 Imaani Pemba (Grey High, OP), 17 Oliver Reid (Paul Roos, WP), 18 Jean Erasmus (Grey, Vrystaat), 19 Jacques Botha (Monument, Leeus), 20 Jean-Henri Smit (Grey-kollege, Vrystaat), 21 Ceano Everson (Monument, Goue Leeus), 22 JT Kapank (Noordheuwel, Goue Leeus), 23 JC Mars (HJS Paarl, WP).
Bepalings:
Dag 1
10:00 – Valke t. Boland; 11:30 – Vrystaat t. OP; 13:00 – Sharks t. WP XV-tal; 15:20 – WP t. SWD.
Dag 2
10:30 – Griekwas t. Luiperds; 12:00 – Griffons t. Limpopo Blou Bulle; 13:30 – Goue Leeus t. Pumas; 15:00 – Blou Bulle t. Grens.
Three teams – Southern Free State, Southern Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal Coastals have three representatives each in the South African u18-side that was named at the conclusion of the annual SASHOC u18 Girls’ tournament hosted in Bloemfontein.
Southern Free State was crowned the champions of the tournament after defeating Boland by 3-2 in the final on Friday. The champions’ captain, Taheera Augousti, was unsurprisingly named the Player of the Tournament. She was also the top goalscorer in Bloemfontein.
Augousti also helped the national u21-side to be crowned Africa Junior champions earlier this year. A tournament in which she was also named the Player of the Tournament. She also received this accolade at the conclusion of the annual St Mary’s Hockey Festival in Johannesburg earlier this year.
The other two players from Southern Free State to make the national u18-side were Germarie Spershott and Lilly-Anne Theron. Spershott was named the Defender of the Tournament, while Theron received the award as the Goalkeeper of the Tournament.
KZN Coastal’s three representatives were Tara Pakendorf, Georgia Pollock and Emily Macquet. Pollock is the daughter of former Protea cricket captain Shaun Pollock.
The three representatives from Southern Gauteng to make the the national side are Hannah White, Paris-Gail Isaacs and Reabetswe Phumi.
Boland’s Baylee Engelke received the award as the Midfielder of the Tournament, while teammate Arisha van Niekerk was the Striker of the Tournament.
No less than seven players from the champions of the SASHOC u18 Boys’ tournament in Bloemfontein, Western Province, was selected for the South African u18 hockey side.
Six of the seven boys selected for the team are from SACS – Rogan Stirk, Michael Cowen, Josh Opperman, Ozai Pillai, Liam Haupt and Michael Royden-Turner. The seventh WP respresentative in the national side is Caleb Ferreira from Curro Durbanville.
Western Province defeated Southern Gauteng by 3-1 in the final of the tournament. Jaydon Brooker from Southerns was named the Player of the Tournament for his impressive performances during the tournament. The midfielder from Jeppe High School for Boys’ also finished the tournament as the top goal scorer by scoring his 11th in the final against Western Province.
The award for the Midfielder of the Tournament also naturally went to the very talented Brooker.
Stirk was named the Goalkeeper of the Tournament, while his captain, Michael Cowen, awarded the Defender of the Tournament accolade. Royden-Turner received the award as the Striker of the Tournament.
