Author: wilouw

Kearsney College, Clifton and Hilton College return home undefeated after the Independent Schools Rugby Festival which took place at St Andrew’s in Bloemfontein this week.

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Despite a courageous effort by the hosts, Kearsney managed to hold on and protect a narrow lead, finishing their tour on a high against St Andrew’s School (10-5).

Neither side was willing to give an inch and it took 36 minutes before the first points were scored, when Kearsney’s dynamic flyhalf, Dan Eagar, ran a beautiful line, slicing open the home team’s defence to score the opening try well into the second half.

The St Andrew’s boys were determined to upset their guests from KZN and kept asking questions of the Kearsney defence, which, in turn, they managed very well.

With 12 minutes left on the clock, St Andrew’s big eighth man, Eduan van den Heever, rounded off a great lineout move to get his team on the board.

Smelling blood, St Andrew’s attacked relentlessly for the remainder of the game, but the Kearsney defence remained steadfast and Eagar added three more points to ensure that the hosts would need to score a try to win the game, which they failed to do in the remaining time.

Having scored all 10 of Kearsney’s points, Eagar was definitely the standout player for his team, but special mention should also be made of their collective defensive effort to deny St Andrew’s any more points.

Though they will be devastated by the fact that they couldn’t get a big victory on the final day, St Andrew’s have shown that their rugby program is on a positive trajectory with their performances this week.

In the game against Kearsney, Marco de Sousa (lock) and CM Geel (flyhalf) stood out for their work rate along with their captain and vice-captain, Connor Nel (fullback) and Matthew Simon (prop) who were also prominent for the Bloemfontein team.

Kearsney leave the tournament unbeaten, having seen off with the likes of St Alban’s College Invitational XV (47-12) and Cornwall Hill (15-7) on the previous days.

Hilton also managed to go three from three with a team of stayers after beating St David’s Marist 31-14 on the final day. They did away with St Stithians (43-5) and St Alban’s College Invitational XV (64-3) earlier in the week.

Their performance at the festival bodes extremely well for Hilton’s season next year when many of the boys who were in action this week will move into more permanent positions in their first team, having benefitted from the experience of this festival.

Clifton never tasted defeat either, beating Union (29-8) and St Stithians (29-19) before rounding off their week against Boksburg with a massive 73-0 romp.

Matt Hammond (lock) scored a hat-trick for Clifton in the final match.

Cornwall Hill College’s lightning-quick left winger, CJ Kapilikisha, also scored three tries in their 29-19 victory over the St Alban’s College XV on the final day.

Scorers:

Kearsney College 10 (0) – Try: Dan Eagar, Conversion: Eagar. Penalty: Eagar. St Andrew’s 5 (0) – Try: Eduan van den Heever.

Hilton College 31 – Tries: Xola Makongolo (2), Ricky Adonis (2), Ollie Proudfoot, Luke Warren. Conversions: Michael Crapes (4). St David’s Marist 14 – Try: D’Andre Moshonga. Conversion: Diego Ferreira. Penalties: Ferreira (3).

Cornwall Hill College 29 – Tries: CJ Kapilikisha (3), Angelo Papadopoulos, JL Snyman. Conversions: Tshepo Malete (3). St Alban’s XV 19 – Tries: Ofentse Sema (2), Joshua Kirkcaldy. Conversions: Joshua Verster, Wesley Ridgeway.

St Charles College 40 (26) – Tries: Matthew Urquhart (2), Stefan Veldsman, Sam Odell, Lazola Makuala, Rashid Isaacs. Conversions: Urquhart (5). St Stithians College 17 (0) – Tries: Luke Thottold, Tashinga Chingonzo, Thato Madziwanyika. Conversion: Chris Anderson.

Clifton 73 –  Tries: Matt Hammond (3), Mackenzie Hagarth (2), Ebenezer Mangue (2), Khanya Mgabi, Junior Dlomo, Michael Langston, Joseph Rey, Joshua Kennedy. Conversions: Kennedy (5), Wandile Ngubane. CBC Boksburg 0.

Union High 66 – TBC Free State Development 0.

 

The scorers:

Blue Bulls 20 (5) – Tries: Albert Smit, Christiaan de Wet, Nicolaas Grobler. Conversion: Ruben Groenewald. Penalty: Groenewald. Free State 12 (12) – Tries: JG Badenhorst, Siyabonga Kenny. Conversion: Thristan Maree.

Western Province 10 (3) – Try: Jayden Britz. Conversion: Francois van der Merwe. Penalty: Van der Merwe. Lions 5 (0) – Try: Rio Tshambalanga.

Western Province XV 25 (15) – Tries: Tristan Joubert, Markus Muller, Jason Ocks, Pieter Cilliers. Conversion: Muller. Penalty: Muller. Sharks 8 (0) – Try: Zander Vorster. Penalty: Vorster.

Eastern Province 15 (6) – Penalties: Travis Pheiffer (5). Boland 13 (3) – Tries: Junaide Stuart, Paul Liebenberg. Penalty: Lian Lochner.

Pumas 24 (7) – Tries: Divan de Kock (2), Liam Pringle. Conversions: Matthew Abbey (3). Penalty: Abbey. SWD Eagles 19 (14) – Tries: Sinesihle Mdlankomo, Kai Pratt, Lee-Winn Pretorius. Conversions: Warren Labuschagne (2).

Limpopo Blue Bulls 29 (5) – Tries: Kian du Plessis, Cilliers van der Merwe, Aretumisheng Ramohale, John Barnard. Conversions: Anzio Swartbooi (3). Penalty: Swartbooi. Zimbabwe 16 (6) – Try: Earl Chitendeni. Conversion: Rory Honey. Penalties: Honey (3).

Griquas 25 (8) – Tries: Pieter Smit, Jonathan Harding, Clinton Brits, Dalindyebo Gubula. Conversion: Smit. Penalty: Luiz Isaaks. Namibia 0.

Leopards 12 (0) – Tries: De Wet le Roux, Abrie Esterhuizen. Conversion: Waide Davey. Border 12 (5) – Tries: Ollie Schmidt, Rob Osunkwo. Conversion: Ndimphiwe Songqwaba.

Other results: Free State XV 28, Border Country District 7; Valke 6, Griffons 0.

The Blue Bulls dethroned the Free State in the main event of this year’s Grant Khomo week, claiming the unofficial champion’s status with a 20-12 victory after a dramatic series of events saw the Western Province be demoted to the penultimate game against the Lions for not adhering to transformation targets in their 25-18 victory over the Bulls on Wednesday.

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Free State were unable to repeat the success of last year when they beat the Sharks 39-18 in Kimberley.

The Bloemfontein-based team started the game strong, with the big tighthead prop from Grey College, JG Badenhorst, opening the scoring with a try within the first two minutes.

Albert Smit (flanker), from Affies, levelled the scores with a try for the Bulls twenty minutes later, but Free State controlled the first half of the game, spending most of it in the Bulls’ 22m area and they were rewarded when their speedster winger from Grey College, Siyabonga Kenny, scored to take them into the break with a 12-5 lead.

The Bulls galvanized in the second half and scored 15 unanswered points to upset the Free State team with the Affies duo, Christiaan de Wet (lock) and Nicolaas Grobler (centre), both getting over the line.

Though the playing conditions were definitely challenging, and the Bulls did excellently to compete at the rucks and disrupt the Free State’s flow, the team in orange will be very critical of the chances they missed and the errors they made which ultimately cost them the game.

Another Affies student, Ruben Groenewald (flyhalf), has been a standout player for the Bulls all week, and he played a central role in their victory again today.

He was able to manage all the games expertly with his kicking out of hand and scored 24 points off the tee throughout the week.

While they are not unbeaten, there can be no question that the Blue Bulls have been involved in three of the toughest battles this week. They edged the Sharks on the first day by 31-27, lost to the Western Province by seven points on the second day and now have the bragging rights after another difficult battle against one of the favourites coming into the tournament, where they beat the Free State by eight points in the finale.

For the Free State, Ethan Adams, the centre from Grey College, looked dangerous again with ball in hand, but the Blue Bulls’ defense did well to limit his involvement in this game.

His schoolmates, the two wingers, Kenny and Lamla Mgedezi, both also looked promising when they were on the attack.

Despite not featuring in the main game, Western Province will be happy with their performance at the festival, going unbeaten after getting through Boland (41-12), the Blue Bulls (25-18) and finally the Lions (10-5).

The Western Province XV and the Eastern Province are the two other teams who won all of their matches.

The Western Province XV beat the Free State XV (50-3), the Pumas (38-7) and the Sharks (25-8) while the Eastern Province team reckoned with the Border Country District team (26-14), Border (34-17) and finally Boland (15-13).

Scorers:

Blue Bulls 20 (5) – Tries: Albert Smit, Christiaan de Wet, Nicolaas Grobler. Conversion: Ruben Groenewald. Penalty: Groenewald. Free State 12 (12) – Tries: JG Badenhorst, Siyabonga Kenny. Conversion: Thristan Maree.

Western Province 10 (3) – Try: Jayden Britz. Conversion: Francois van der Merwe. Penalty: Van der Merwe. Lions 5 (0) – Try: Rio Tshambalanga.

Other results: Free State XV 28, Border Country District 7; Valke 6, Griffons 0.

 

 

Die 24e VKB/Reits Rugbyweek sedert 1998 skop op hierdie Saterdag weer in die Oos-Vrystaat af.

Al die wedstryde is regstreeks beskikbaar op SuperSport Schools – Registreer nou

In 2018 is die rugbyweek verdeel in die Stedelik en Platteland weke. Die Stedelike week het in die laaste week van Junie afgespeel, waar die Blou Bulle kop en skouers bo die ander sewe spanne uitgestaan het. Hulle het in die eindstryd met 32-20 teen die Vrystaat Arende gewen

Die Platteland week begin amptelik vandag, waneer die spanne in Reitz bymekaar kom, en die eerste wedstryd is Saterdag om 09:00. 12 spanne sal gedurende die week meeding vir ‘n plek in Woensdag se eindstryd.

Op Dinsdag sal daar ook ‘n sewes-toernooi plaasvind.

Na afloop van die rugbyweek word ‘n Platteland span gekies wat na Frankryk gaan toer, asook ‘n sewes-span wat in Dubai gaan meeding.

Vir ‘n volle lys van al die spanne, lees gerus ons 2023 VKB/Reitz Platteland Rugbyweek spanaankondiging artikel.

Verlede jaar het die Luiperds met 24-17 teen die Rooikatte in die eindstryd geseevier.

Die Luiperds groep wat hierdie jaar daardie sukses sal wil herhaal bestaan uit agt spelers van Hoërskool Lichtenburg, en agt uit Hoërskool Vryburg. Wolmaransstad het ook vier spelers in die span, terwyl Koster, Stella en Zeerust elk een speler het wat hulle verteenwoordig.

Verlede jaar se Speler van die Toernooi, die Midstream College flank, Tian Pretorius, wat vir die Rooikatte uitgedraf het, speel tans in Amerika vir The University of Mary in Washington.

Die eerste dag se bepalings:

09:00 – Luiperds t. Zululand; 10:20 – Rooikatte t. Sandveld; 11:40 – Kiewiete t. Barbarians; 13:00 – Pumas t. Griekwas; 14:20 – NKZN t. Kiewiete Platteland; 15:40 – SKZN t. Oos-Vrystaat.

Free State will play against Western Province in the main match on the final day of the Grant Khomo Week on Thursday.

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The Free State team beat Border 29-20 on the first day and the Lions 20-9 on the second day.

This team made up mostly of Grey College players was one of the favourites coming into the tournament and is now only one step away from repeating the success of 2022, when they beat the Sharks in the main game 39-18.

Ethan Adams (centre) has shown how destructive he can be and, apart from a yellow card on the second day, he’s been faultless for Free State.

Thristan Maree (fullback) has also been a real asset for his team, expertly controlling the game from the back.

Brendon de Wee (scrumhalf), from Fichardtpark, has also been very involved, quick to get to the rucks and not afraid to do some of the hard cleaning work when necessary.

Western Province earn their place in the finale after beating Boland 41-12 and fighting hard to get a 25-18 comeback victory against the Bulls.

Jadon Ocks (winger), one of the six players in the WP squad who are playing on their home ground at Boland Landbou, has been a stalwart for his team. He has fielded kicks in challenging conditions all week, without error, and he has shown his pace down the line.

The Parel Vallei flyhalf, Leighton Brinkhuis, has also been one of the standout players of the tournament. He was extremely effective in the game against Boland and played a pivotal role in the match against the Bulls.

Both these teams deserve their spot in the final match and there will be no outright favourites for the game on Thursday.

In the penultimate fixture, it will be a jukskei derby when the Lions take on the neighbouring Blue Bulls.

The Blue Bulls side laden with Affies boys has performed well, beating the Sharks in a nailbiter on the first day (31-27) before narrowly losing out to WP on the second (25-18).

The Lions beat the Valke on the first day (39-7) and lost to the Free State (20-19) after that.

Clinton Agu, the Lions’ hooker from Marais Viljoen scored a hat-trick on the first day. At 85kg he is by no means the heaviest player at the tournament, but he is a strong runner and not afraid of going into contact.

Jeandre Uithaler, the Noordheuwel fullback, has been at the heart of the Lions’ attack, whether he is running into space, distributing down the line, or directing with his kicking game, he has been instrumental for his team.

The Affies boys, Zirk Meyer (scrumhalf) and Ruben Groenewald (flyhalf) have stood out for the Blue Bulls.

They combine excellently to control the attack and give the Bulls two effective kicking options around the ruck to control their field position.

The fixtures for the final day are:

A field: 08:30 – SWD Eagles vs Pumas; 09:50 – Boland vs Eastern Province; 11:10 – Western Province XV vs Sharks; 12:30 – Blue Bulls vs Lions; 13:50 – Western Province vs Free State.

B field: 08:30 – Limpopo Blue Bulls vs Zimbabwe; 09:50 – Griquas vs Namibia; 11:10 – Leopards vs Border.

C field: 08:30 – Border Country Districts vs Free State XV; 09:50 – Griffons vs Falcons.

Western Province beat the Blue Bulls by 25-18 in the final match of the second day of the Grant Khomo Week to secure their spot in the main match on day three when they will be taking on the Free State after they beat the Lions 20-9.

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In a classic North/South derby, the Bulls and the Western Province traded blows in heavy rain as the lead, along with the momentum, shifted hands a couple of times during the game.

WP looked strong from the start and their scrumhalf from Wynberg Boys’ High, Morne Noble, showed great awareness to dart around a ruck for the first try of the game.

Even though the Bulls seemed to be under a lot of pressure, WP couldn’t score and the team from Pretoria scored two tries against the run of play, punishing WP for every mistake they made.

First, the Affies centre, Nicholaas Grobler, scored from inside his own half, then an error by WP on their goal line led to his schoolmate and fullback, Matthew Seymore, being able to pounce on the ball to give the Bulls a 12-7 lead.

Another Affies boy, Ruben Groenewald (flyhalf), then extended their lead to more than a single score away with a penalty and took the Blue Bulls to halftime with a 15-7 advantage.

After the break, WP regained the upper hand through two tries by their big centre from Paarl Gimnasium, Markus Muller.

Muller, who was initially selected for the Western Province XV team, was the standout player for WP in this match, running hard lines and being a menace on defence.

Groenewald’s trusty boot regained the lead for the Bulls momentarily with 10 minutes left, but WP’s Paarl Boys’ High fullback, Francios van der Merwe, regained it for them with a penalty conversion two minutes later before Gert Kemp, the flanker from Paul Roos, sealed their victory with a final try in the 59th minute.

Jadon Ocks (winger) from Boland Landbou and Josh Neill (eighth man) from Rondebosch Boys’ High also stood out for the Western Province team.

The Bulls will be devastated that they didn’t manage to pull off another late victory as they did in the 31-27 thriller against the Sharks on the first day, but players like the Affies boys Christiaan de Wet (lock) and Zirk Meyer (scrumhalf) put in a solid performance, despite the loss.

The Free State booked their spot in the main match of the final day with a 20-9 victory over the Lions in the penultimate game of the second day.

They will then have the chance to repeat their success from last year when they beat the Sharks 39-18 in the final game.

In an extremely physical and wet first half, neither team could cross the goal line, but the fullback from Noordheuwel, Jeandre Uithaler‘s accuracy from the kicking tee gave the Lions a 6-3 lead at the break.

A penalty try early in the second half, followed quickly by their big loosehead prop from Grey College, Luan van der Berg, barging over the line saw Free State pull away after halftime.

The speedster Grey College winger, Lamla Mgedezi, then sealed their fate later on with another try.

Thristan Maree, the Free State’s fullback who also goes to school at Grey College, stood out for the Bloemfontein-based team, seamlessly slotting into the backline with perfect timing when they were on the attack and directing play and relieving pressure with his educated kicking boot, as well as stepping up as the last line of defence on a number of occasions to help with the massive defensive effort that prevented the Lions from scoring a single try.

After a horrible start by the Sharks, receiving two yellow cards within 15 minutes of the kickoff they showed that they are able to score with only 13 men on the field, as long as one of them is Zekethelo Siyaya.

They did well to spend the majority of the first 30 minutes in the SWD Eagles‘ half of the field despite the handicap, but apart from the brilliant individual try by their fullback from Westville Boys’ High they were unable to convert the pressure into points.

Siyaya takes his tally for the Grant Khomo week up to three tries, following up on the brace he scored in the Sharks’ 31-27 defeat to the Blue Bulls on the first day.

The SWD Eagles kept themselves in the game to the very end, but the Sharks will feel like they could’ve won more comfortably if they seized all their opportunities, still, they will be happy with their 19-12 win.

The Griquas had to spend the final 15 minutes of their match against the Valke pinned to their own 5m line, but their brave defence secured the 10-5 win.

An early try by Jonathan Harding, their centre from Diamantveld, and a penalty conversion by Luiz Isaacs, the Upington High flyhalf, proved enough for the Griquas to get their first win of the festival.

Scorers:

Western Province 25 (7) – Tries: Markus Muller (2), Morne Noble, Gert Kemp. Conversion: Leighton Brinkhuis. Penalty: Francois van der Merwe. Blue Bulls 18 (15) – Tries: Nicolaas Grobler, Matthew Seymore. Conversion: Ruben Groenewald. Penalties: Groenewald (2).

Free State 20 (3) – Tries: Penalty Try, Luan van der Berg, Lamla Mgedezi. Penalty: Thristan Maree. Lions 9 (6) – Penalties: Jeandre Uithaler.

Sharks 19 (7) – Tries: Zekethelo Siyaya, Zander Vorster, Jadrian Afrikaner. Conversions: Stefan Moolman, Vorster. SWD Eagles 12 (5) – Tries: Ruan Swart, Reinhardt Viljoen. Conversion: Charles Vosloo.

Griquas 10 (10) – Try: Jonathan Harding. Conversion: Luiz Isaaks. Penalty Isaaks. Valke 5 (0) – Try: Lesego Moitse.

It took only 30 seconds for the first try to be scored in the first game of the second day of the annual Grant Khomo Week, when Jordan Rathebe, the lively centre from Vryburg, gathered a loose ball to get the Leopards off to a dream start against Boland.

Catch all the games on SuperSport Schools – Register now. The tournament is hosted by Boland Landbou in the Agter-Paarl.

The Boland boys played in the last match yesterday against Western Province and had to be up and ready again early today to play in the first match.

That might account for their somewhat slow start, but the Leopards also deserve full credit for the way they kept applying pressure on the Boland team.

Boland did well to regroup in the second half and managed to fight their way back from 15-0 down to win 30-25, lead from the front by their industrious fullback from Hoërskool Bredasdorp, Junaide Stuart, who scored a brace and looked threatening every time he got the ball in space.

Travis Pheiffer‘s tremendous kicking boot controlled the game for Eastern Province against Border.

The flyhalf from Grey High in Port Elizabeth was spot on from the tee, missing only one long-range penalty attempt.

Despite a valiant attempt by Border at fighting back in the second half, EP won that match comfortably 34-17.

After also beating the Border Country District team 26-14, Eastern Province are two from two at this year’s event so far.

The fullback from Framesby, Damian Witbooi, also stood out for Eastern Province, scoring two tries.

His schoolmate and scrumhalf, Jaden Brewis, also enjoyed an excellent game.

Junaid Coetzee, the flyhalf from Paul Roos, starred for the Western Province XV in their 38-7 victory over the Pumas.

He scored a try and two conversions as his team showcased their skill, dominating the Pumas throughout the game.

It took 55 minutes before Liam Pringle, Nelspruit’s scrumhalf, managed to get the Pumas on the board with a try.

With only two minutes left on the clock, there was still nothing separating the Griffons and the Limpopo Blue Bulls at 17-all in their match.

In a titanic struggle between these two provincial teams, the Griffons got the early lead which they had to defend against a relentless attack from the Limpopo Blue Bulls for the majority of the game.

A late try by Boitumelo Makgaba, the lightning quick backline player from Curro Heuwelkruin, seemed to have stolen it for the side from Limpopo until Witteberg’s fullback, Owen Petersen, scored an exceptional individual try for the Griffons to draw them equal again.

Still not letting go of the fight, the Limpopo Blue Bulls then forced a penalty in the 58th minute, which their fullback from Frikkie Meyer, Anzio Swartbooi, expertly converted to steal a late win for his side.

Scorers:

Boland 30 (0) – Tries: Junaide Stuart (2), Lyle Pienaar, Kyle Albertus, Junade Pasensie. Conversions: Lian Lochner, Pasensie. Penalty: Lochner. Leopards 25 (15) – Tries: Jordan Rathebe (2), Abrie Esterhuizen. Conversions: Claydon Karelse (2). Penalties: Karelse (2).

Eastern Province 34 (31) – Tries: Damien Witbooi (2), Erin Nelson, Taylon Matowa. Conversions: Travis Pheiffer (4). Penalties: Pheiffer (2). Border 17 (0) – Tries: Dan Carr, Boikoho Motlohi, Ollie Schmidt. Conversion: Bungqina Nuku.

Western Province XV 38 (24) – Tries: Gavie Kok, Stiaan de Goede, Quewinn Lackay, Jordan Steenkamp, Attie van der Lingen, Junaid Coetzee. Conversions: Coetzee (2), Zheemo Isaacs (2). Pumas 7 (0) – Try: Liam Pringle. Conversion: Matthew Abbey.

Limpopo Blue Bulls 20 (5) – Tries: Luhann Janse van Rensburg, Aretumisheng Ramohale, Boitumelo Makgaba. Conversion: Anzio Swartbooi. Penalty: Swartbooi.

Zimbabwe 24 (12) – Tries: Earl Chisendeni, Rory Honey, Zane Sibanda, Tavonga Chinsa. Conversions: Honey (2). Free State XV 21 (14) – Tries: Christiaan Mathys, Jan Hendrik van der Linden, Regard Scheepers. Conversions: Van der Linden (3).

Namibia 45 (19) – Tries: Jaythen Orange (2), Burger Oelofsen, Dirk Farmer, Jurick van der Berg, Frederik Fourie, Adriaan Boonzaaier. Conversions: John-Daniel Meintjies (5). Border Country Districts 19 (0) – Tries: Luvo Mtshiso, Uyanda-Mlibo Makupala, Linethemba Mtsewu. Conversions: Azukiwe Magqaza (2).

Scorers:

Western Province 25 (7) – Tries: Markus Muller (2), Morne Noble, Gert Kemp. Conversion: Leighton Brinkhuis. Penalty: Francois van der Merwe. Blue Bulls 18 (15) – Tries: Nicolaas Grobler, Matthew Seymore. Conversion: Ruben Groenewald. Penalties: Groenewald (2).

Free State 20 (3) – Tries: Penalty Try, Luan van der Berg, Lamla Mgedezi. Penalty: Thristan Maree. Golden Lions 9 (6) – Penalties: Jeandre Uithaler.

Sharks 19 (7) – Tries: Zekethelo Siyaya, Zander Vorster, Jadrian Afrikaner. Conversions: Stefan Moolman, Vorster. SWD Eagles 12 (5) – Tries: Ruan Swart, Reinhardt Viljoen. Conversion: Charles Vosloo.

Griquas 10 (10) – Try: Jonathan Harding. Conversion: Luiz Isaaks. Penalty Isaaks. Valke 5 (0) – Try: Lesego Moitse.

Boland 30 (0) – Tries: Junaide Stuart (2), Lyle Pienaar, Kyle Albertus, Junade Pasensie. Conversions: Lian Lochner, Pasensie. Penalty: Lochner. Leopards 25 (15) – Tries: Jordan Rathebe (2), Abrie Esterhuizen. Conversions: Claydon Karelse (2). Penalties: Karelse (2).

Eastern Province 34 (31) – Tries: Damien Witbooi (2), Erin Nelson, Taylon Matowa. Conversions: Travis Pheiffer (4). Penalties: Pheiffer (2). Border 17 (0) – Tries: Dan Carr, Boikoho Motlohi, Ollie Schmidt. Conversion: Bungqina Nuku.

Western Province XV 38 (24) – Tries: Gavie Kok, Stiaan de Goede, Quewinn Lackay, Jordan Steenkamp, Attie van der Lingen, Junaid Coetzee. Conversions: Coetzee (2), Zheemo Isaacs (2). Pumas 7 (0) – Try: Liam Pringle. Conversion: Matthew Abbey.

Limpopo Blue Bulls 20 (5) – Tries: Luhann Janse van Rensburg, Aretumisheng Ramohale, Boitumelo Makgaba. Conversion: Anzio Swartbooi. Penalty: Swartbooi.

Zimbabwe 24 (12) – Tries: Earl Chisendeni, Rory Honey, Zane Sibanda, Tavonga Chinsa. Conversions: Honey (2). Free State XV 21 (14) – Tries: Christiaan Mathys, Jan Hendrik van der Linden, Regard Scheepers. Conversions: Van der Linden (3).

Namibia 45 (19) – Tries: Jaythen Orange (2), Burger Oelofsen, Dirk Farmer, Jurick van der Berg, Frederik Fourie, Adriaan Boonzaaier. Conversions: John-Daniel Meintjies (5). Border Country Districts 19 (0) – Tries: Luvo Mtshiso, Uyanda-Mlibo Makupala, Linethemba Mtsewu. Conversions: Azukiwe Magqaza (2).

Free State had to sweat to earn their 29-20 victory after an excellent start by Border on day one of the Grant Khomo Week at Boland Lanbou and Western Province showed how dangerous they are this year by beating a promising Boland team comprehensively, 41-19.

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The other teams would do well to take note of how Border managed to pin the Bloemfontein-based side in their own half during the first 20 minutes.

The Free State team is one of the biggest threats at this year’s event, and they showed why, maintaining composure and sticking to their systems, managing to fight back from a 13-0 deficit to end up winning 29-20.

The Border boys simply had more urgency from the first kickoff and were rewarded with two early tries by the Selbornian lock, Daniel Carr and their vice-captain and centre from Queens College, Sibabalwe Magwebu.

AJ Meyer (lock) launched the Free State’s counteroffensive just before halftime when he scored a try to take them into the break trailing by 13-7

The De Wee brothers from Fichardtpark, Brendon (scrumhalf) and Breyton (flyhalf) were prominent for the Free State, but it was the big centre from Grey College, Ethan Adams, who looked most dangerous with ball in hand.

Border did well to contain Adams during the first half, but the industrious centre showed why there is so much excitement around him, finding a way to get in on the action and causing endless problems for the Border defence.

Adams scored a brilliant try five minutes into the second half to give Free State the lead for the first time in the game.

His fullback, Tristan Maree, also seemed to find his rhythm in the second half and did well to manage the game from the back.

Having recovered from the shock of the first half, and with Border beginning to lose some of their intensity, Free State took control of the game, and two more tries by Brendon de Wee and the big eighth man, AJ Booysen, saw them pull away from their opponents for the first time in the game.

Border had the last say though, when Magwebu rounded off an exceptional team try in the final moments to bring Border back to a more respectable 9-point deficit, which is a better reflection of their efforts on the day.

Free State played against the Sharks in the main match of the 2022 edition of the famous u16 tournament, winning 39-18, but after a last-second 31-27 Sharks loss to the Bulls earlier in the day, it seems unlikely that this year will be a repeat of that final.

In the final match of the day, after the opening ceremony, Western Province took on the neighbouring Boland, beating them 41-12.

The majority of the Western Province team consists of players from schools in the Boland region, so it is always interesting when these two teams face each other as the players are all sure to be well acquainted, having competed against each other for their various schools throughout the age grades.

They were scheduled to play in a warmup match, before the Grant Khomo week, but that was cancelled on account of the heavy weather that the Western Cape has experienced in the lead-up to the event.

Six of the starting 15 in the WP squad had the added advantage of playing on their home field as the event was moved to Boland Landbou from Paul Roos in Stellenbosch because of the damage done by the aforementioned weather.

Western Province outmuscled Boland in the first half and looked set to run away with the game.

They were clinical in their execution, scoring 29 unanswered points in the first 30 minutes.

Their dominance was exemplified by the big loose forward from Paarl Gimnasium, Quintin Potgieter‘s try. He gathered the ball near his own 22m line, broke through the defenders in front of him and left the Boland defence in his dust as he sprinted 70 meters to score.

The second half started in much the same way when the Paarl Boy’s High loosehead prop, Jordan Jooste, powered over the line to give WP a 36-0 lead.

Boland found their feet in the second half and used their kicking game to chase the big WP forward pack around.

After a good 20 minutes of dominance in WP’s half, Boland finally broke through, showing just how dangerous they can be on the front foot.

Flyhalf, Junade Pasensie from Hoërskool Hermanus showed great awareness to spot space on the far side and sent a long skip pass to the waiting prop from Charlie Hofmeyr, Joshua Swarts, who flicked it on expertly to his flanker from Worcester Gimnasium, Jayde-Will de Klerk who slid over in the corner like a winger.

With their tales up, Boland almost scored again immediately from the kickoff when Jeraldo Davids, the lively backline player from Langeberg almost returned the ball the length of the field, unfortunately just stepping out and being called back after he had already beaten everyone.

Western Province did well to regain control with their flyhalf, Leighton Brinkhuis, from Parel Vallei, relieving the pressure on his team and it wasn’t long before Joshua Neill (eighth man) from Rondebosch cancelled out Boland’s score with a try of his own.

Despite a well-deserved consolation try in the last play of the game for Boland by the fullback from Bredasdorp, Junaide Stuart, WP proved themselves to be one of the favourites at this year’s event with arguably the strongest performance of the day.

The action continues tomorrow when all the teams play in their second match.

Western Province will face the Blue Bulls in the final game of the day and the Lions take on the Free State in the penultimate game.

Scorers:

Western Province 41 (29) – Tries: Jayden Joubert, Albert Lourens, Jadon Ocks, Jayden Brits, Jordan Jooste, Quintin Potgieter, Joshua Neill. Conversions: Leighton Brinkhuis (3). Boland 12 (0) – Tries: Jayde-Will de Klerk, Junaide Stuart. Conversion: Giano da Kosta.

Free State 29 (7) – Tries: AJ Meyer, Ethan Adams, Brendon de Wee, AJ Booysen. Conversions: Tristan Maree (3). Penalty: Maree. Border 20 (13) – Tries: Sibabalwe Magwebu (2), Daniel Carr. Conversion: Bunquina Nuku. Penalty: Nuku.

Leopards 15 (10) – Tries: Tyran Masango, Waide Davey, KG Legodi. Limpopo Blue Bulls 12 (7) – Tries: Kgashane Malesa, Johannes Bezuidenhout. Conversion: Anzio Swartbooi.

SWD 36 (12) – Tries: Jemiqo Gallant, Johannes Snyman, Sinesihle Mdlankomo, Kai Pratt, Lohan Gerber, Lee-Winn Pretorius. Conversions: Warren Labuschagne (3). Griffons 12 (12) – Tries: AJ Myburgh, Gehan Hendricks. Conversion: JM  Rensburg.

Fixtures | Day 2

A field: 08:30 – Boland vs Leopards; 09:50 – Border vs Eastern Province; 11:10 – Western Province XV vs Pumas; 12:30 – SWD vs Sharks; 13:50 – Lions vs Free State; 15:30 –  Western Province vs Blue Bulls.

B field: 08:30 – Free State XV vs Zimbabwe; 09:50 – Border CD vs Namibia; 11:10 – Griffons vs Limpopo Blue Bulls; 12:30 – Falcons vs Griquas.

The Blue Bulls pulled off an epic victory in the dying moments of their game against the Sharks on the first day of the Grant Khomo Week at Boland Landbou.

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Just like their u18 counterparts did over the weekend at the Noordvaal Bondedag, the u16 Bulls proved too strong for the Sharks as they emerged victorious 31-27 after it seemed like the Sharks had stolen it with a late penalty conversion.

The Sharks started strong, and two early tries by their exciting fullback from Westville Boys’ High, Zekethelo Siyaya and another by his centre from Hilton College, Khazimla Makali, saw the team from KZN take a 19-0 lead early on.

The boys from Pretoria managed to regroup though, and they began building their counter-offensive with a try by Albert Smit (flanker) and a late penalty conversion by their general in the midfield, their flyhalf, Ruben Groenewald took the Bulls into the break with a nine-point deficit.

The second half proved equally tense, with both teams pouncing on any mistakes by the opposition.

Groenewald maintained a perfect kicking record in extremely tough conditions, which has proven to be a problem for many of the kickers so far with strong gusts blowing across the field.  He converted all four of his team’s tries and a penalty.

The big flyhalf from Affies contributed 11 points off the tee for the Bulls.

Stefan Macdonald, the number eight loose forward who has also been selected out of the Affies camp charged down a clearance kick by the Sharks on their own line and managed to dive on the ball for a try to bring the scores equal at 24-all with less than 10 minutes left in the match.

With nothing to separate the two teams and almost no time left on the clock, it seemed like the Sharks might have an opportunity to steal the victory when Stefan Moolman, who had come on as a replacement in the backline, converted a penalty to give them the advantage.

It’s not over until the whistle blows though, and the Bulls were on the attack again from the kickoff, never giving up.

Zirk Meyer, their lively little scrumhalf who seemed to be involved with every attacking play by the Bulls, was rewarded for his work throughout the match when he scored the winning try, in the final moments, to secure a strong statement victory for his side.

The Pumas and the Griquas set the tone early on in the first match of the day.

There was nothing to separate the two sides at the end of the first half, and they went into the break, all square, 10-all.

The Pumas started the second half well, showing their intent when their flyhalf, Matthew Abbey, scored a try early in the second half that would prove to be foreboding for the rest of the game.

Abbey stood out for the Pumas, especially in the second half. He directed his backline excellently and kept the Griquas pinned back with his massive kicks.

The flyhalf from Middelburg was industrious on the attack and lead his team by example.

For the Griquas, Clinton Britz, the centre from Diamantveld showed a lot of promise. The lightfooted speedster seemed to beat at least one defender every time he got hold of the ball, but the Pumas did well to contain the lively playmaker.

In the match between the Lions and the Falcons, it was the Clinton Agu show. The hooker from Marais Viljoen was in a league of his own and managed to score a hat-trick for the Lions.

Though his team struggled to get past the Falcons in open play, Agu seemed unstoppable anywhere near the line.

Dihan Crause (winger) managed to score an impressive individual try, collecting the ball straight from their own kickoff and slicing through the Lions’ defence.

The Lions were simply too powerful and began their campaign on a positive note with a 39-7 victory.

Scorers:

Pumas 38 (10) – Tries: D’Angelo Roberts, Siyanda Dennison, Matthew Abbey, Hencoe Janse van Rensburg, Divan de Kock, Jacques Greyling. Conversions: Abbey (4). Griquas 10 (10) – Tries: Pieter Smit, Clinton Britz.

Lions 39 (10) – Tries: Clinton Agu (3), Eugene de Lange, Deveno Bernado, Jade Rollinson, Jeandre Uithaler. Conversions: Uithaler (2). Falcons 7 (0) – Try: Dihan Crause. Conversion: Doan Nel.

Blue Bulls 31 (10) – Tries: Albert Smit, Leskin Samuels, Zirk Meyer, Stefan McDonald. Conversions: Ruben Groenewald (4). Penalty: Groenewald. Sharks 27 (19) – Tries: Zekethelo Siyaya (2), Khazimla Makali, Josh Grant, Unknown. Conversions: Zander Vorster (2). Penalty: Stefan Moolman.

Eastern Province 26 (12) – Tries: Ross Atkinson, Matthew Harvey, Petrus Kleinhans, Gelden van Niekerk. Conversions: Travis Pheiffer (3). Border CD 14 (7) – Tries: Amoyile Thole, Azukiwe Magqaza. Conversion: Thole (2).

Namibia 12 (5) – Tries: Hanre Cocklin, Dirk Farmer. Conversion: William Beukes. Zimbabwe 10 (10) – Tries: Chima Nwadike, Hunter Falkenberg

Western Province XV 50 (26) – Tries: Tristan Joubert (2), Markus Muler (2), Leo Weber, Attie van der Lingen, Steph van der Merwe, Migael Turner. Coversions: Muller (5). Free State XV 3 (3) – Penalty: Jan Hendrik van der Linden.