Blog

In a dramatic turn of events the Free State will defend their unofficial title as champions of the Grant Khomo Week (for u16 players) against the Blue Bulls at 13:50 on Thursday on the main field at Boland Landbou in the Agter-Paarl.

Western Province was scheduled to play in the main match of the national u16-tournament but was removed from the main game due to the fact that they did not adhere to the transformation targets as per SA Rugby’s Strategic Transformation Plan during their 25-18 victory over the Blue Bulls.

Western Province made use of two players from the Western Province XV in the match due to injuries to two players in their initial squad. The WP XV is the union’s second stringers who also takes part in the Grant Khomo Week.

The transformation targets for SA Rugby’s Youth Weeks is that at least 12 players of colour should be in the match day squad of 23 players during the tournaments.

Western Province will face the Golden Lions in the main curtain raiser for the main match.

Free State defeated the Sharks by 39-18 in the main match of last year’s tournament in Kimberley.

The Fixtures | Day 3 

A Field

08:30 – South Western Districts vs Pumas
09:50 – Boland vs Eastern Province
11:10 – Western Province XV vs Sharks
12:30 – Golden Lions vs Western Province
13:50 – Free State vs Blue Bulls

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 Valke

At the end of day four of the SASHOC U18 tournament, Southern Free State A maintain their lead in points with skipper, Taheera Augousti contributing five goals over the course of the tournament.

However, Augousti finds competition in Emily Wilson from KZN Inland A who after scoring three goals on day four, climbs up to five goals overall as well. 

KZN Inland A beat Mpumalanga with a whopping score of 5-0. Emily Wilson scoring two and Khanya Bekizulu, Ella Shuttleworth and Amy Fletcher adding one each.

Furthermore, they beat Northern Gauteng in their second match of the day, winning 4-1. Chloe Dellar, Rebecca Macquet each scoring one and Ella Shuttleworth and Emily Wilson contributing their second and third goals for the day, respectively. 

KZN Coastals A gained an early lead over Amathole A, scoring in the tenth and twentieth minutes. Amathole A continued to persevere and came back to win 3-2. 

Day 5 will see the playoffs begin with: Eastern Province A vs Amathole A, Southern Gauteng A vs KZN Coastals A, Northern Free State vs Northern Gauteng A, Boland A vs KZN Inland A, Southern Gauteng B vs Mpumalanga and Southern Free State A vs Western Province A. 

Results | Day 4

Northern Gauteng A 2 (Danielle McCann, Mmamorena Netshivugululu); Western Province A 0.

KZN Inland A 5 (Emily Wilson (2), Amy Fletcher, Ella Shuttleworth, Khanya Bekizulu); Mpumalanga 0.

Southern Free State A (Taheera Augousti); Southern Gauteng A 0.

Boland A 4 (Justine Basson, Johre Blommetjies, Amy Leibrandt, Kate Moore); Eastern Province A 2 (Nuriyah Bell, Gabriella Tait).

Northern Free State 0; Southern Gauteng B 0.

Amathole A 3 (Kaylin Hendriks, Thabalani Metu, Michelle Barnes); KZN Coastals A 2 (Emily Macquet (2).

KZN Inland A 4 (Emily Wilson, Chloe Dellar, Rebecca Macquet, Ella Shuttleworth); Northern Gauteng A 1 (Anlu Harmse).

 

Cape Town and Gauteng schools don’t normally play each other during the annual derby season, however the provincial u18 hockey boys clash in Bloemfontein on Wednesday proved why that should probably be reconsidered.

Western Province stalwart Dean Carrick scored a brace of goals to lead his side to a convincing (3-1) victory against an in-form Southern Gauteng team on day four of the u18 SASHOC boys hockey tournament.

Carrick, with his two goals contributed to the 30 goals that were scored across the seven matches.

Both teams went into the game unbeaten with Western Province having registered wins against Amathole (3-0) and Southern Free State (4-0) on day three.

For the Gauteng side, they beat Northern Gauteng (6-0), and Southern Free State (5-1) in their previous two matches.

The match was deemed as a decider to which side would finish on top of Pool A and have a better chance of making it to the latter rounds of the competition.

In their last meeting in 2022, Western Province, pulled off a performance for the ages, humiliating the Gauteng side (5-0) at Maties.

The occasion was different however, and the game was proving to be more difficult for the Cape side than they would’ve anticipated. The first chukka produced no goals with both sides testing each other’s defence out, with no clear scoring opportunities created.

It’s the second chukka where everything changed, and the Gauteng side lost the match. Province came out firing and applied huge amounts of pressure on their opponent’s defence.

The breakthrough finally came when the Cape side received a penalty for a foul and stepped captain, Dean Carrick who calmy slotted in.

That goal opened the floodgates as a second goal came two minutes after. The side from Cape Town turned the ball over, with Gauteng playing in the danger zone. Josh Opperman quickly pounced on the ball, played a through pass for his skipper who dived and tapped the ball in to extend his side’s lead.

Province put the nail in the coffin when Ethan Lee scored their third goal before the interval.

Northern Gauteng, who have scored 20 goals this week could only manage one and were totally outplayed.

The match was an exhibition of just how heated and competitive a north-south derby between Gauteng and Cape Town schools would be.

In other big matches on day four, Amathole A registered their first win of the week by beating Southern Free State (3-2).

KZN Coastal B closed the day off with a (4-1) win against Eastern Province A, while earlier in the day, Boland played out to a (1-1) draw against Damian Kimfley’s KZN Inland A team.

Western Province ended the pool matches on top with a 100% win record while Southern Gauteng finished on second with 12 points. In Pool B, KZN Coastal A finished above Boland A with Eastern Province and KZN Inland B occupying the last two spots.

 Results | Day 2

KZN Coastal A 5 (1) (Connor McKenzie (2), Tristan Boyall (2), Kyle Thomas); Eastern Province A 1(1) (Matt Kingston).

KZN Coastal B 3 (1) (Mathlhatshe Sebake, Ben Bashford, Sandiswa Yeni); KZN Inland B 2 (0) (Bryn Brokensha, Asande Khumalo).

Western Province A 3 (3) (Dean Carrick (2), Ethan Lee); Southern Gauteng A 1 (0) (Jaydon Brooker).

Southern Free State A 2 (2) (Roan Janse van Rensburg (2); Amathole A 3 (2) (Ben van der Merwe, Lucan Hykes, Mthawelanga Mboniswa).

Northern Gauteng A 2 (0) (Ruard Booysen, Louw du Preez); Western Province B 1 (1) (Ray Bonnet).

KZN Inland A 1 (0) (Nicholas Chantler); Boland A 1 (0) (Ruben Sendzul).

KZN Coastal B 4 (0): (Dylan Wiggett (2), Sandiswa Yeni, Mitchell Tillard); Eastern Province A 1 (1) (Ben Ristow).

Fixtures | Day 5 fixtures:

08:45 – Northern Gauteng A vs KZN Inland A
10:25 –Western Province B vs KZN Coastal B
11:35 –Southern Free State A vs Eastern Province A
12:50 – Southern Gauteng A vs KZN Coastal A
14:25 –Amathole A vs KZN Inland B
15:40 –Western Province A vs Boland A

 

 

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.

Watch all the games at this year’s Grant Khomo on SuperSport Schools – Register now

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.

The two captains of Southern Gauteng and Western Province, Jaydon Brooker and Michael Cowen, is in a close battle for being crowned the top scorer at the SASHOC u18 national tournament in Bloemfontein.

Brooker has scored eight goals in total after the first three days of the tournament. He added two goals on day three in his side’s convinving 6-0 victory over Northern Gauteng.

Miguel de Jesus also scored a brace as Southern Gauteng kept their unbeaten record intact.

Cowen scored his fifth of the tournament in his side’s 3-0 victory over Amathole. He found the back of the net in the fifth minute with teammates Dean Carrick and Michael Royden-Turner also scoring for the victorious side. 

Western Province also secured a 4-0 victory over the hosts, Southern Free State, on day three. Ethan Lee scoring a brace of goals in this victory with Joshua Mettler and Caleb Ferreira adding the other two goals.

Southern Gauteng and Western Province form the top two of Pool A at the end of Day Three with KZN Coastals A and Boland A making up the top two teams of Pool B. 

RESULTS | DAY 3 

Southern Gauteng A 6 (Jaydon Brooker 15’, 52’; Miguel de Jesus 20’, 43’; Matt Eichweber 18’, Devin Wax 4’); Northern Gauteng 0.

Western Province A 4 (Ethan Lee 24’, 42’; Joshua Mettler 9’, Caleb Ferreira 54’); Southern Free State 0. 

Western Province B 6 (Keegan Rodgers 9’, 14’; Ray Bonnet 29’,51’; Wayne Mandabva 2’, Cohen Williams 35’, Mbasa Pilingane 59’); Amathole A 1 (Daniel Sirgel 14’). 

Boland A 3 (Barend Geldenhuys 26’; Rueben Sendzul 54’; Aon Hendricks 57’); KZN Coastals B 1 (Nathi Jona 37’). 

KZN Coastals A 2 (Kyle Thomas 13’, Aldridge Maasdorp 29’); KZN Inland A 0.

Eastern Province A 4 (Ben Peens 12’; Bukho Pantsi 35’; Xander Elkington 39’; Khaalid Ackerdien 58’); KZN Inland B 2 (Asande Khumalo 22’; Julian Koningkramer 36’).

Northern Gauteng A 3 (Thato Mamogale 12’; Ruard Booysen 14’; Wilan Tollig 19’); Southern Free State A 3 (Roan Janse van Rensburg 40’, 60’; Danrich Hoffman 25’).

Western Province A 3 (Michael Cowen 5’; Dean Carrick 20’; Michael Royden-Turner 22’); Amathole A 0.

 

As day three of the SASHOC u18 tournament comes to an end the under 18 A Southern Free State girls team is still standing at the top with the most points thus far.

The Southern Free State A team played a competitive game against Boland A and both teams had failed to claim any goals for their sides resulting in a draw. 

The Eastern Province A team had claimed a 5-0 victory over the Northern Free State A team with Gabriella Tait gaining two goals for her team in the 6th and 32nd minute of the game.

Alongside her Iman Bonnasse had also claimed two goals for her team, a field goal in the 15th minute and her second from a penalty corner appointed to the team in the 22nd minute of the game and Tiara Finnis had scored one goal in the 18th minute contributing to the teams defeat over Northern Free State A. 

In other games the Western Province A team had four of their girls add to their names on the leaderboard when securing their 4-1 win against Amathole A.

Western Province’s Stella van Schalkwyk, and Paige Thomas each scored one goal in the first chukka which had the team with a solid two-nil lead straight to half time. In the third chukka Western Province Jodie Blows claimed the third goal of the game, in the same minute Amathole A’s Thabalani Metu countered and claimed one goal for the Amathole A side.

Despite Amatholes best efforts to get back so late into the game Leya Patel scored the fourth and finishing goal for Western Province team in the 57th minute.

With day three of the tournament done, Northern Gauteng A’s Danielle McCann and Eastern Province A’s Gabriella Tait are right on Taheera Augousti – playing for the Southern Free State A team – heels for the top spot on the individual goal scorer leaderboard, each having a total of three goals, only one goal short from Augousti leading with four goals.

An eye grabbing game in tomorrows line up will take place at UFS field 1 at 11:50 where the top two teams in pool A of the A section, Southern Free State A and Southern Gauteng A, will take to the field.  

Results | Day 3

Southern Gauteng A 1 (Hannah Smyth); Southern Gauteng B 0.

Southern Free State A 0; Boland A 0.

Eastern Province A 5 (Gabriella Tait (2), Iman Bonnasse(2), Tiara Finnis); Northern Free State 0.

KZN Coastal A 1 (Emily Macquet); KZN Inland A 1 (Emily Wilson).

Western Province A 4 (Stella van Schalkwyk, Paige Thomas, Jodie Blows, Leya Patel); Amathole A 1 (Thabalani Metu).

Northern Gauteng A 3 (Mmamorena Manthata, Sande Mbatsha, Danielle Mccann); Mpumalanga A 1 (Zane du Toit).

Southern Gauteng B 0; Boland A 0.

Fixtures | Day 4

09:00 – Western Province A vs Northern Gauteng A
10:25 – KZN Inland A vs Mpumalanga
11:50 – Southern Free State A vs Southern Gauteng A
13:15 – Boland A vs Eastern Province A
14:40 – Northern Free State vs Southern Gauteng B
16:05 – Amathole A vs KZN Coastal A
17:30 – Northern Gauteng A vs KZN Inland A

Dit lyk nie of iemand vanjaar die Blou Bulle gaan kan keer om sy titel as kampioen van die VKB Stedelike-week in Reitz te behou nie.

Die Ligbloues het soos op die eerste dag ‘n reuse telling op die bord gesit het. Die span van Pretoria het die drieë ingeryg om ‘n gemaklike sege van 78-6 oor KwaZulu-Natal te behaal.

Sy losskakel en generaal, Eagan Roux, het ‘n uitstekende wedstryd beleef en was dit geen verrasing dat hy ook as Speler van die Wedstryd aangewys is nie.

Roux het die spel dikteer en was astronomies tot sy span se intrukwekkende oorwinning. Hy was slegs twee keer onsuksesvol met sy korrelwerk pale toe.

Die enigste span wat tussen die Ligbloues en die titel staan is die Vrystaatse Arende. Die Arende het sy plek in Vrydag se eindstryd met ‘n oorwinning van 40-19 oor die Westelike Provinsie Noordelike Voorstede XV bespreek.

Die Arende se losskakel, Vuyani Moore, was behoorlik op sy stukke. Moore beskik oor indrukkwekende visie en die vermoeë om spasie te skep. Hy het nie verniet verlede jaar die Vrystaat se uitsoekspan op die Cravenweek in Kaapstad verteenwoordig nie.

Die heelagter, Hanre du Plessis, en regtervleuel, Barry Pretorius, het albei gebruik gemaak van die beskikbare ruimte om agter die doellyn ‘n draai te gaan maak.

Moore is ook as Speler van die Wedstryd aangewys met sy goeie vertoning vanaf die skopkegel.

Aan die kant van WPNS XV was dit binnesenter, DeAndre Mouwers, wat tevrede kan wees met sy vertoning.

Die Barbarians het sy drag slae teen die Blou Bulle afgestof en soos ‘n nuwe span gelyk in sy oorwinning van 28-0 teen die Diamante van Kimberley.

Sy binnesenter, Divan Vorster, kon twee keer agter sy teenstanders se doellyn gaan kuier. Vorster het ook die verantwoordelikheid opgeneem om pale toe te korrel. Hy het daarin geslaag om drie van sy span se drieë te verdoel.

Terwyl die linkervleuel, Bakamoso Kgang, ook een keer die verdediging kon penitreer vir ‘n kuiertjie agter die doellyn.

Die grondslag vir die sege is voorlangs gele. Die slot Thinus Nieuwoudt het ‘n barshou gespeel. Nieuwoudt was die veld vol en het hy sy lyf op die spel geplaas vir sy span. Sy fisieke spel en insette met bal in hand het sy kollegas voorlangs aan die gang gekry.

Nieuwoudt is ook welverdiend as Speler van die Wedstryd aangekondig.

Die Diamante is tot dusver nog wenloos. Hy sal in sy laaste wedstryd van die toernooi diep moet delf om ‘n sege op sy kerfstok te plaas.

Die Griffons het sy eerste oorwinning van die toernooi behaal. Hy kon daarin slaag om die Noord-Natallers met ‘n telling van 34-5 af te ransel.

Sy agterlyn het ‘n goeie vertoning opgelewer. Die spoedvrate agter het ‘n kliniese vertoning deur die groot manne voorlangs goed afgerond.

Sy kantman NW de Beer het weereens beindruk en het die toekenning as speler van die wedstryd ontvang. De Beer was voorlangs woelig en gedurig ‘n doring in die vlees vir die besoekers op die aanval sowel as verdediging.

Agterlangs was dit die staatmaker Arrie Ferreira wat met nog ‘n skittervertoning hand op gesteek het. Ferreira het 12 punte tot sy span se telling bygedra en was sekuur met sy stelskopwerk.

Noord-Natal het met rukke en stote ritme gevind, maar kon nie afrond nie.

Puntemakers:

Barbarians 28 (21) – Drieë: Divan Vorster (2), Bokomaso Kgang, Thinus Nieuwoudt. Doelskoppe: Vorster (3), Dandre van der Merwe. Diamante 0 (0).

Griffons 34 (12) – Drieë: Juan van der Merwe, Junior Nhlapa, Arrie Ferreira, PJ Botha, Thompo Motsapi. Doelskoppe: Ferreira (3), Wian Muller. Strafdoel: Ferreira. Noord-Natal 5 (0) – Drie: S. Mkwahanzi.

Vrystaat Arende 40 (19) – Drieë: Sarel Taljaard, Barry Pretorius, Hanre du Plessis, Pumelele Banti, Loffie Ackerman. Doelskoppe: Vuyani Moore (3). Strafdoele: Moore (3). WPNS XV 19 (8) – Drieë: DeAndre Mouwers, Wian Koen. Strafdoele: Zander Enslin (3).

Blou Bulle 78 (47) – Drieë: Stefan Pretorius (2), Itumeleng Baloyi, Eagan Roux, Jahred Smit, Victory Akinsbusuy, Lanzo Treeby, Hendre Schoeman, Lethabo Phahlanohlaka, Jayden la Douce, Tzanwani Ompfuna. Doelskoppe: Roux (9). KwaZulu-Natal 6 (6) – Strafdoele: Hanro van Zyl (2)

 

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.

Catch all the Grant Khomo Week action on SuperSport Schools – Register now

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).