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The Leopards were buzzing after they got one over their old foes, the Valke, on Wednesday in Johannesburg.

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The side from the North West Province held on for a 41-37 victory over their rivals in the first match of a cold second day at the 2024 Academy Week.

Matters were especially heated among the forwards as both packs took it to their opposition.

Christoff Nel, the Leopards’ openside flank, revelled in the trenches. The lively loose forward wreaked havoc in the rucks and did a fine job of disrupting the Valke’s ball.

Apart from being a menace at the breakdowns, Nel was also an impact player on defence. He was at the forefront of most of the big hits which rocked the men from the East Rand’s attacking plans. He received great support from Lichtenburg stalwart and eighthman Abrie Coetzee, who relished the physical stuff.

The Valke’s no. 8, Storm Labuschagne, showed why Dr EG Jansen‘s brain trust, led by coach Rudi Dames, rates him so highly. He must have come close to picking up his second Player of the Match award of the week.

Much like the Springboks’ Kwagga Smith, Labuschagne isn’t the biggest in stature, but he made his presence felt through his explosive runs, which twice carried him across the whitewash. He didn’t shirk his defensive duties either, delivering some crunching hits.

His efforts, however, were in vain, as the Valke came up just short of the Leopards, who withstood wave after wave of attacks to eke out a narrow victory.

The Free State Cheetahs, after a big loss to the Golden Lions in their opener, picked up a win over their “little brother”, the Griquas. Scrumhalf Bernard Wessels bagged a double as the Free Staters rolled to a 17-point victory.

Apart from outsmarting the northern Capetonians on two occasions, his quick delivery from behind a pack which had the edge over their opposition helped the Cheetahs’ backs run in four of their side’s six tries.

Griquas played some good rugby and were full of running when they created space for their speedsters at the back, with fullback Jonaden Links, especially, impressing. Their forwards enjoyed some strong forays against the Free State defence, but they lacked finishing.

A Player of the Match performance by the Griffons‘ livewire scrumhalf, Leclue Nell, saw the Purple People Easters surprise South Western Districts. He bounded over for two tries as the northern Free Staters claimed a well-deserved 34-24 victory.

Clinical performances from the Griffons’ front rankers, Francois Maree (loosehead), and Arnold Ras (hooker), laid a solid foundation for Leclue and the rest of the Griffons’ backline, and both were rewarded with tries.

SWD battled hard and kept fighting to the final whistle. Liam Lightley, who was picked as utility forward for the week, produced a classy performance and kept the Griffons’ defenders under severe pressure. He and inside centre Christiaan Vorster, who featured prominently with very physical runs in the midfield, were the side’s standouts.

SCORERS

Leopards 41 (24) – Tries: Keenan Joseph, Christoff Nel, Abrie Coetzee, Dian Smith, Tyron Masango, Katleho Seimelo. Conversions: Eduard Dreyer (4). Penalty: Dreyer. Valke 37 (24) – Tries: Storm Labuschagne (2), Damian Slabbert, Breyton Kruger, Ettienne Smit. Conversions: Ryan Smith (3). Penalties: Smith, Jean-dre Claasen.

Free State Cheetahs 42 (29) – Tries: Bernard Wessels (2), Emile McGear, Jan-Hendrik van der Linden, Phiwe Mkunjana, Tristan Maree, SW van der Merwe. Conversions: Van der Linden (2). Penalty: Okuhle Dyani. Griquas 25 (6) – Tries: Jandries Potgieter, Jonaden Links, Dohan Dege. Conversions: Abdul Fischer (2). Penalties: Fischer (2).

Griffons 34 (26) – Tries: Leclue Nell (2), Francois Maree, Arnold Ras, Ashwon Mellen. Conversions: Ethan Smith (3). Penalty: Smith. South Western Districts 24 (12) – Tries: Ruan van Rensburg, Liam Lightley, Christiaan Vorster, Virgil Pockpas. Conversions: Charles Vosloo (2).

Border 55 (36) – Tries: Liam Hansen (2), Adam Schwedhelm, Siya Madzidzela, Sbabalwe Magwebu, Qiqa Qwesha, D’Angelo Snayers, Joshua Clote. Conversions: Page Fennel (6). Penalty: Fennel. LSEN XV 28 (14) – Tries: Ethin Malgas, Bentley Stoffels, Jonga Javu, Algernon Bruintjies. Conversions: Edwill Jantjies (4).

Limpopo Blue Bulls 28 (18) – Tries: Thabang Nkuna, Siya Mahlangu, Heinrich Poolman. Conversions: JD Boshoff (2). Penalty: Boshoff. Namibia 21 (8) – Tries: Ben Mostert, Jaco Bredenhann, Josh Solomon. Penalties: Waldré Kotze (2).

Pumas 45 (21) – Tries: Banele Ngwenya (2), Roux Grobler (2), CW Hanekom, Jacques Malan, Carel Jacobz. Conversions: Alonzo Blakenberg (5). Border Country Districts 23 (8) – Tries: Lunie Singqoto, Sikho Mapukata, Ondela Thamsanqa. Conversion: Azu Magqasa. Penalties: Magqasa.

A last-minute try by Julian Mapoore secured a sweet 25-24 victory for Eastern Province over Western Province on Wednesday at the Academy Week in Johannesburg.

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Western Province had been favoured, along with the Golden Lions, to reach the unofficial main match of the week. Eastern Province had other ideas, however, breaking Province’s hearts to claim a place in Friday’s main event.

The Golden Lions, as expected, made light work of the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks with a second-half blitzkrieg powering them to a comprehensive 35-3 win in the feature match on day two.

Eastern Province fought hard for a deserved victory after a see-saw battle during which the Cape sides exchanged the lead a number of times.

The EP midfield combination of inside centre Christaan van der Merwe and outside centre Cole Hilpert was outstanding, while flyhalf Marcus Williams slotted four penalties to keep the scoreboard ticking for his side.

Up front, lock Tyrese Brouers set an outstanding example with his exceptionally high work rate. His efforts on defence, in particular, caught the eye. He was also a physical presence on attack and that earned the second-rower the Player of the Match award.

His opposite number, Kody Neill, was equally impressive. Just like Brouers, he kept defenders busy with his barrelling runs, which set up the Province backline with good go-forward ball.

Despite the quality possession, the Western Province backs struggle somewhat with the massive pressure asserted by their opponents. Right wing Jordan Steenkamp broke through for two tries, though, which almost proved enough to see the blue and white stripes to victory.

James Kobrowisky, the Golden Lions’ lively flank, played a massive role in helping his side advance to the final for a second year in succession. He was all over the park and made life difficult for the Sharks at ruck time.

He’s not a big flank, but he showcased remarkable strength with the ball in hand. Twice he dived over for tries as the Lions crossed for five five-pointers in all. His performance also lit a fire under the rest of the Lions’ pack, who provided their backs with quick ball.

Flyhalf Recce Gerber, the Player of the Match in the Lions’ big win over the Free State on day one, enjoyed another stellar outing. His vision and feel for the game have gone from strength to strength as his confidence has increased. He kicked well, too, slotting two conversions and two long-range penalties.

A try-scoring fest on the Jake White Field went the way of the Blue Bulls. The side from north of the Jukskei River downed Boland 55-31, running in eight tries to five.

It was a day the Bulls’ and Affies’ hooker Stephan Pretorius will remember. Playing with tremendous energy, he was everywhere on the field and that effort brough him a remarkable four tries.

Boland’s fightback just after the break had the Bulls’ coaching box worried for a while. Irlo Liebenberg, the Capetonians’ left wing, ran in a brace, which ignited a spark among the rest of Boland’s elusive backs, but the Bulls had their measure, and they outlasted their opponents from down south.

The Golden Lions’ young guns, the Lions XV, continued to impress. They bagged a first victory after a narrow two-point loss to the Blue Bulls in their first outing, beating Zimbabwe 31-12.

They won’t, however, be too happy with their second-half performance. After leading 31-0 at the break, they took their foot off the pedal and allowed South Africa’s northern neighbours to score two tries without reply.

The focus next shifts to Friday, the last day of the Academy Week, which, apart from the unofficial final, features some interesting match-ups, including a north-south derby between the Blue Bulls and Western Province in the curtain raiser to the main match.

SCORERS

Eastern Province 25 (9) – Tries: Christiaan van der Merwe, Julian Mapoore. Penalties: Marcus Williams (4). Cameron Doyle. Western Province 24 (12) – Tries: Jordan Steenkamp (2), Keagan Wood, Henry Rudder. Conversions: Chandler Green (2).

Golden Lions 35 (8) – Tries: James Kobrowisky (2), Recce Gerber, Jeandre Uithaler, Ty Ax. Conversions: Gerber (2). Penalties: Gerber (2). Sharks 3 (3) – Penalty: Stefan Moolman.

Blue Bulls 55 (29) – Tries: Stephan Pretorius (4), Tshepiso Shikhibana, Thinus Oosthuizen, Petrus Rautenbach, Malcolm George. Conversions: Ruben Groenewald (6). Boland 31 (12) – Tries: Irlo Liebenberg (2), Lungi Mothibe, Jacques de Klerk, Tertius Wantenaar. Conversions: Liebenberg (2). Stefan van der Merwe.

Golden Lions XV 28 (18) – Tries: Thoks Mallane, Sam Bruwer, CJ Felkers, Andy Maarman. Conversions: Andrew Jackson (4). Penalty: Jackson. Zimbabwe 12 (0).

FRIDAY FIXTURES

Collard Field: 08:30 – Namibia vs Zimbabwe; 09:45 – Sharks vs Griffons; 11:00 – Blue Bulls vs Western Province; 12:15 – Golden Lions vs Eastern Province.

Jake White Field: 08:30 – Boland vs Leopards; 09:45 – Griquas vs Valke; 11:00 – Free State vs Golden Lions XV.

Top Right Field: 08:30 – South Western Districts vs Border Country Districts; 09:45 – Limpopo Blue Bulls vs LSEN XV; 11:00 – Border vs Pumas.

The KwaZulu-Natal Coastal u16 side was trailing 0-1 and had only a minute and 20 seconds to find an equaliser. Coach Chardinay Penniston pulled off Ella Carstens, her goalkeeper, and sent on another striker.

The Western Province players had possession and were taking the most pragmatic path; if they launched an attack towards the Coastal goal, they ran the risk of exposing themselves to a counterattack. They were better served running down the clock.

Ruby Kraus pressed the Province player in possession. The player stumbled. Kraus won the ball on the edge of the D, quickly scanned her surroundings, teed up, and unfurled a shot that flew into the top right corner of the goal.

“She has determination and the willingness to go the extra mile, testing boundaries, and taking risks,” said Penniston. The coach’s eyes light up when she talks about Kraus, one of her leading strikers. The young woman has made Penniston do cartwheels in celebration after burgling goals and helping her team snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

“Ruby is a great leader, and this shows with the relationship she has with her teammates,” Keegan Hezlett, who began coaching the Durban Girls’ College striker when she was 10, said.

“Often people at a young age can get the captaincy wrong, but Ruby’s ability to put her team’s needs above hers is evident. She loves success, whether it be for the team or herself personally. She is always trying to hold herself and her team to a high standard.”

Welcome to the Rubyverse.

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Ruby Kraus was one of those kids. Not the ones who play under the stands while the match was being contested on the astro. She perched herself on the top seat and watched the game intently. By the time she was eight, she understood the game enough to have opinions on right and wrong calls. She was right more often than not.

Kraus spent her early years on the side of the hockey pitch cheering on her brothers, Ethan and Byron. They played for KwaZulu-Natal Coastal’s age group sides and for Clifton. Her parents, Mike and Charmaine Kraus, have tried to attend every sporting event their children have been involved in, so Ruby Kraus went on every tour and they did not miss a match.

“From around five or six, Ruby was on the side of the pitch every time. She would run on the pitch to hit goals at halftime. There was a very good hockey-playing family in Durban, the Montgomery brothers, the younger Montgomery brother was always with Ruby, hitting balls,” Mike Kraus said.

When she was not playing cheerleader for her brothers, Kraus competed against them in the backyard. According to sports scientists, participating in informal play with older siblings forces the development of more advanced skills at a younger age to keep up with their teammates. Having older brothers also means a greater physical discrepancy, so girls must smarten up and toughen up.

One of her brothers was a goalkeeper and the other a defender. They did not make it easy for her to score goals. Kraus had to be at her attacking best to score.

Younger siblings often develop ‘superior perceptual-cognitive skills, more creativity and highly refined technical skills’ than older siblings, researchers have noted.

The other advantage of competing against older siblings is that the younger siblings lose more often than they win. Those experiences force children to become adept at dealing with failure, harnessing their competitiveness and mental resilience.

“When I first started coaching her, I was amazed to meet a young player of her nature, you know, a forward/striker that did not present a big physical presence and outspoken personality. But she surely did make up for it by being so lethal in scoring goals,” Nolwazi Nkabinde, the South African Schools coach, shared.

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“My brothers are quite a lot older than me, but that didn’t matter because I always thought I was better than them,” Kraus revealed.

She did not just think that she was better than her brothers, she was also intent on carving a path for herself in the sport. She was not content with being Ethan and Byron’s young sister. She wanted to be seen as Ruby Kraus.

That separation of self began with her getting a hockey stick that allowed her personality to shine. She was in love with Osaka sticks and pestered her parents to get her one. They relented and provided her with one with elaborate Osaka details.

That was the stick she took along with her to her first private coaching lessons with Kate Koenig. The former South African international took the backyard warrior and set her on a path to becoming a player to be reckoned with.

“Kate Koenig is responsible for how I play today. She provided the foundation to my game, taught me how to shoot, and everything else. I’m so grateful for all that she’s done for me,” Kraus shared.

Koenig was succeeded by Keegan Hezlett. What immediately stood out for the current Durban High School 1st XI coach was Kraus’ natural ability as a player. However, what was even more impressive to him was her drive to not rely on her talent.

“No one sees the hard work she does behind the scenes. That’s how she has always been,” Hezlett said.

That hard work was complimented by her readiness to trust her coaches and try new things. It is a theme that has remained constant throughout her dealings with Nkabinde and Penniston, too.

“All these coaches, including our [KZN Coastal] u18 coach, JJ [Jacinta Wedderburn], have always put in the extra effort for me and everyone else. I am grateful for all of the different angles they have brought to my game. I think sometimes having different coaches adds to your versatility,” Kraus said.

The work she put in with her coaches was put to the test at school and when she turned out for her clubs. First, she played for Crusaders, but at 15 she switched to Riverside.

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Ruby Kraus on the golf course was a regular sight during the lockdown. She left the house every day at sundown with her sticks and balls and went to the course to practice her skills and timing. Those sessions ran the risk of taking forever because she always had something she wanted to work on.

When the restrictions were eased, but sports were not yet officially allowed to resume, Kraus was one of the first players back on the Astro. “She was back at Riverside practicing on her own all the time, as much as she could, and she also picked up on her private lessons,” Mike Kraus explained.

The hours she spent alone and with her private coaches explain who she is as a hockey player. “I think that’s where I’m the hardest on myself. I always go back to watch my games and see what I could have done at that moment, and I make sure that I work on anything that I need to improve,” Kraus said.

Her dedication to improving is the reason why she is one of the best strikers in South African schoolgirls’ hockey. She was KZN Coastal’s leading goal scorer at the recent SASHOC U18 National Week and finished as the third highest scorer in the tournament. Kraus is also one of the best executors of the tomahawk and can use it to score from anywhere in the circle.

“She has grown enormously over the past few years. She is more creative with her scoring techniques, has a more diverse repertoire, and is always brave to take a chance to score with flair,” said Nkabinde, who added Kraus’s incredible work rate off the ball as another of her strengths.

“Ruby has grown so much from her grade 9 year to now, that I think, ‘yeah, it’s two unrecognisable people’. The potential was always there and I’m so glad that all her achievements and her accomplishments have come to be a testament to all the hard work she has put in,” Penniston concurred.

Her dedication has allowed her to perform even when the stakes were high. It has also earned her national age group call-ups. However, one of her greatest moments was when she played one of her best games while competing against Shelley Jones (nee Russell), her hero, who played 276 matches for South Africa.

“I have always looked up to my brothers. They do not give up even when things look hard. But I have also always been obsessed with Shelley Jones. One of my teachers knew of my love for her and got her to write me a message and I think I’ve still got that message. Everything came full circle when I ended up playing against her at club level,” she explained.

Meeting Jones was the fulfilment of a lifelong dream, but that was not her only hockey ambition. Kraus has other mountains she hopes to scale, one of them being to help her school clinch the Super 12 title. The other is to represent South Africa at international level.

KRUGERSDORP. – Western Province equalled the Stadio Craven Week record for the most successive victories at the prestigious tournament with an emphatic victory of 66-14 over Eastern Province on the third day of the 59th annual tournament here.

It was the union’s 14th successive victory since their last defeat back in 2017 at St Stithians College, Johannesburg against the Free State (). It also means that today is 2 532 days since Western Province suffered a defeat at the Craven Week.

The victory over Eastern Province also probably booked their place in Saturday’s main match. This means it will be their seventh appearance in the main match in the last eight tournaments.

Western Province’s Caleb Engelbrecht (winger) and Josh Neill (flanker) scored a brace of tries while they were also awarded two penalty tries in the game. Both penalty tries came in the first half after Eastern Province stopped their maul illegally.

Other star performers for the victorious side were Truspe Schoeman (lock), Quintin Potgieter (eighthman), Oliver Reid (loosehead prop) and Yaqheen Ahmed (flyhalf).

Eastern Province deserves credit as well as they were with their backs against the wall with the scoreline at 0-33. They showed some guts to fight back to make the half-time score read 14-33. Their loosehead prop, Ikechukwe Ukekwe, as well as the flanker, Tapiwe Zhanda, crashing over for tries.

The Valke opened the third day of the Stadio Craven Week with a 36-26 victory over the Leopards. Their right-wing, TK Ngobese, scored a brace of tries and also received the award for Man of the Match.

The Valke’s flanker Zaide-Leigh Rippenaar also produced another noteworthy performance. For the Leopards their flyhalf, Christopher Dennis, is quickly finding his feet at this level.

Dennis showcased his skills providing his backline with quality possession and opportunity while also keeping the Valke guessing.

Scorers: 

Western Province 66 (33) – Tries: Caleb Engelbrecht (2), Josh Neill (2), Penalty Tries (2), Riley Norton, Xabiso Mkiva, Freek de Kock, Markus Muller. Conversion: Viaan Mentoor (4), Yaqheen Ahmed (2). Eastern Province 14 (14) – Try: Ikechukwe Ukekwe, Tapiwa Zhanda. Conversions: Caleb Friskin (2).

Valke 36 (24) – Tries: TK Ngobese (2), Zandré Naudé, Khaya Radebe, Lesego Moitse, Alec Mohlala. Conversions: Sinenhlanhla Ndlovu (3). Leopards 26 (7) – Tries: GJ Steenberg, David Ndala, Christopher Dennis, Francois Dumond. Conversions: Dennis (3).

The World Rugby U20 Championship 2024 will take place in South Africa from 29 June to 19 July 2024. Played over five match days in the Western Cape regions of Stellenbosch and Cape Town, the U20 Championship features the 12 best U20 nations in the world competing for the world title.

U20 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2024 FINAL STANDINGS

Winner	England U20
Runner-up	France U20
Bronze	New Zealand U20
4th Place	Ireland U20
5th Place	Argentina U20
6th Place	Australia U20
7th Place	South Africa U20
8th Place	Wales U20
9th Place	Georgia U20
10th Place	Italy U20
11th Place	Spain U20
12th Place	Fiji U20

GROUP STAGE POINTS TABLE

Pool A		P	W	D	L	PD	Pts
1	New Zealand U20	3	3	0	0	40	15
2	France U20	3	2	0	1	54	11
3	Wales U20	3	1	0	2	-4	7
4	Spain U20	3	0	0	3	-90	0

 

Pool B		P	W	D	L	PD	Pts
1	Ireland U20	2	2	0	0	46	11
2	Australia U20	2	1	0	1	19	8
3	Georgia U20	3	1	0	2	-19	6
4	Italy U20	3	1	0	2	-46	4

* Ireland u20 vs Australia u20 match cancelled

Pool C		P	W	D	L	PD	Pts
1	England U20	3	3	0	0	61	14
2	Argentina U20	3	2	0	1	40	10
3	South Africa U20	3	1	0	2	26	6
4	Fiji U20	3	0	0	3	-127	0

PLAY-OFF STAGE RESULTS

Friday 19 July 2024
Final	England U20	21-13	France U20
3rd Place	Ireland U20	24-38	New Zealand U20
5th Place	Australia U20	6-14	Argentina U20
7th Place	Wales U20	31-47	South Africa U20
9th Place	Italy U20	13-24	Georgia U20
11th Place	Spain U20	24-19	Fiji U20

Sunday 14 July 2024
Semi-Final 1	England U20	31-20	Ireland U20
Semi-Final 2	New Zealand U20	31-55	France U20
5th Place Semi-Final 1	Argentina U20	34-24	South Africa U20
5th Place Semi-Final 2	Australia U20	36-29	Wales U20
9th Place Semi-Final 1	Italy U20	28-15	Spain U20
9th Place Semi-Final 2	Georgia U20	40-36	Fiji U20

GROUP STAGE RESULTS

Tuesday 9 July 2024
New Zealand U20	45-13	Spain U20
South Africa U20	12-17	England U20
Georgia U20	28-17	Italy U20
France U20	29-11	Wales U20
Argentina U20	52-12	Fiji U20
Ireland U20	cancelled	Australia U20

Thursday 4 July 2024
Australia U20	12-17	Italy U20
South Africa U20	12-31	Argentina U20
England U20	48-11	Fiji U20
France U20	26-27	New Zealand U20
Wales U20	31-10	Spain U20
Ireland U20	22-16	Georgia U20

Saturday 29 June 2024
Wales U20	34-41	New Zealand U20
South Africa U20	57-7	Fiji U20
Australia U20	35-11	Georgia U20
Ireland U20	55-15	Italy U20
England U20	40-21	Argentina U20
France U20	49-12	Spain U20

 

Scorers: 

Western Province 66 (33) – Tries: Caleb Engelbrecht (2), Josh Neill (2), Penalty Tries (2), Riley Norton, Xabiso Mkiva, Freek de Kock, Markus Muller. Conversion: Viaan Mentoor (4), Yaqheen Ahmed (2). Eastern Province 14 (14) – Try: Ikechukwe Ukekwe, Tapiwa Zhanda. Conversions: Caleb Friskin (2).

Sharks 28 (7) – Tries: Junior van Wyngaardt (2), Zekhe Siyaya, Sibusiso Mahlangu. Conversion: Luke Davidson (4). South Western Districts 19 (11) – Tries: Henro Kuhn, Gareth Maree. Penalties: Ellie Meyer (3).

Boland 34 (19) – Tries: Llewellyn Fransman, Luan Giliomee, Bernedict George, MJ van der Westhuizen, Philip Du Plessis. Conversions: Giliomee (3). Penalty: Giliomee. Border 20 (17) – Tries: Jed Stone, Mveli Mqulo. Conversions: Ryan Denston (2). Penalties: Denston (2).

Valke 36 (24) – Tries: TK Ngobese (2), Zandré Naudé, Khaya Radebe, Lesego Moitse, Alec Mohlala. Conversions: Sinenhlanhla Ndlovu (3). Leopards 26 (7) – Tries: GJ Steenberg, David Ndala, Christopher Dennis, Francois Dumond. Conversions: Dennis (3).

KRUGERSDORP. – Western Province received good and bad news for their campaign at this year’s 59th annual Stadio Craven Week here.

Both the players, Josh Neill (flanker) and Henry du Plessis (prop), who received red cards during their opening match against the Sharks received suspensions of two matches and three matches respectively after their disciplinary hearings on Tuesday.

Western Province did appeal the outcome of Neill’s hearing and his initial red card was lowered to a yellow card. He will therefore be available to play for WP in their next match against Eastern Province on Wednesday.

The other setback is that the side’s inside centre, Kobus Blanckenberg‘s injury is serious enough to rule him out of the tournament as well. His midfield partner at Paarl Gimnasium, Markus Muller, has been called up from the Western Province XV and will take his place on the bench for the match against Eastern Province.

Muller will play in the number 25 jersey. In Du Plessis’ place, they have called on Matthew van der Merwe to start at tighthead prop on Wednesday.

The Western Province XV will still announce who will take Muller and Van der Merwe’s spots before their next encounter against the Golden Lions on Thursday.

Scorers: 

Leopards 41 (24) – Tries: Keenan Joseph, Christoff Nel, Abrie Coetzee, Dian Smith, Tyron Masango, Katleho Seimelo. Conversions: Eduard Dreyer (4). Penalty: Dreyer. Valke 37 (24) – Tries: Storm Labuschagne (2), Damian Slabbert, Breyton Kruger, Ettienne Smit. Conversions: Ryan Smith (3). Penalties: Smith, Jean-dre Claasen.

Border 55 (36) – Tries: Liam Hansen (2), Adam Schwedhelm, Siya Madzidzela, Sbabalwe Magwebu, Qiqa Qwesha, D’Angelo Snayers, Joshua Clote. Conversions: Page Fennel (6). Penalty: Fennel. LSEN XV 28 (14) – Tries: Ethin Malgas, Bentley Stoffels, Jonga Javu, Algernon Bruintjies. Conversions: Edwill Jantjies (4).

Griffons 34 (26) – Tries: Leclue Nell (2), Francois Maree, Arnold Ras, Ashwon Mellen. Conversions: Ethan Smith (3). Penalty: Smith. South Western Districts 24 (12) – Tries: Ruan van Rensburg, Liam Lightley, Christiaan Vorster, Virgil Pockpas. Conversions: Charles Vosloo (2).

Pumas 45 (21) – Tries: Banele Ngwenya (2), Roux Grobler (2), CW Hanekom, Jacques Malan, Carel Jacobz. Conversions: Alonzo Blakenberg (5). Border Country Districts 23 (8) – Tries: Lunie Singqoto, Sikho Mapukata, Ondela Thamsanqa. Conversion: Azu Magqasa. Penalties: Magqasa.

Limpopo Blue Bulls 28 (18) – Tries: Thabang Nkuna, Siya Mahlangu, Heinrich Poolman. Conversions: JD Boshoff (2). Penalties: Boshoff (3). Namibia 21 (8) – Tries: Ben Mostert, Jaco Bredenhann, Josh Solomon. Penalties: Waldré Kotze (2).

Free State Cheetahs 42 (29) – Tries: Bernard Wessels (2), Emile McGear, Jan-Hendrik van der Linden, Phiwe Mkunjana, Tristan Maree, SW van der Merwe. Conversions: Van der Linden (2). Penalty: Okuhle Dyani. Griquas 25 (6) – Tries: Jandries Potgieter, Jonaden Links, Dohan Dege. Conversions: Abdul Fischer (2). Penalties: Fischer (2).

Golden Lions XV 28 (18) – Tries: Thoks Mallane, Sam Bruwer, CJ Felkers, Andy Maarman. Conversions: Andrew Jackson (4). Penalty: Jackson. Zimbabwe 12 (0).

Blue Bulls 55 (29) – Tries: Stephan Pretorius (4), Tshepiso Shikhibana, Thinus Oosthuizen, Petrus Rautenbach, Malcolm George. Conversions: Ruben Groenewald (6). Boland 31 (12) – Tries: Irlo Liebenberg (2), Lungi Mothibe, Jacques de Klerk, Tertius Wantenaar. Conversions: Liebenberg (2). Stefan van der Merwe.

Eastern Province 25 (9) – Tries: Christiaan van der Merwe, Julian Mapoore. Penalties: Marcus Williams (4). Cameron Doyle. Western Province 24 (12) – Tries: Jordan Steenkamp (2), Keagan Wood, Henry Rudder. Conversions: Chandler Green (2).

Golden Lions 35 (8) – Tries: James Kobrowisky (2), Recce Gerber, Jeandre Uithaler, Ty Ax. Conversions: Gerber (2). Penalties: Gerber (2). Sharks 3 (3) – Penalty: Stefan Moolman.

KRUGERSDORP. – It was a match that had it all.

All the suspense, all the drama, the disappointment as well as the elation.

The Blue Bulls managed to upset the hosts of the annual Craven Week here, the Golden Lions, by 35-34 in an encounter that many are wondering how did they pull it off.

In the clash of the two flyhalves, Vusi Moyo (Golden Lions) and Ruben Pienaar (Blue Bulls), it will be difficult to adjudicate who won.

Pienaar probably had his worst day off the kicking tee in his life, but when it mattered he stepped up to give his side the edge with a penalty in this closely contested match.

Pienaar missed five conversion attempts before slotting his sixth attempt also to get the Bulls ahead. The last 15 minutes of the match saw the lead exchange between the two teams a couple of times.

Before Pienaar secured the victory with a penalty goal.

The free-running flanker Luann Olivier scored a hat-trick of tries all from rolling mauls from line-outs. This was the area where the foundation of the Bulls’ victory was laid. The home side had no answers to keep the Bulls pack at bay in this aspect of the game.

The Lions started off well to take a 21-5 lead early on thanks to a brace of tries by winger Khuthadzo Rasivhaga from interceptions. Both interceptions came from sustained pressure on defence by the Golden Lions.

The Golden Lions lost their main jumper in the line-out JP Lombaard (lock) due to a hit to the head in a tackle. This had a huge impact on their ability to counter the Bulls at line-out time.

The Bulls must be applauded for the fact that they never gave up. Although the Golden Lions have been favourites to come out on top, the Bulls took them to the trenches and emerged as victors.

The Bulls will face the Free State in their second match-up of the tournament on Thursday, while the Lions will face a tricky Western Province XV.

The Pumas proved to be too strong for the Limpopo Blue Bulls in their opening clash. Whipping them by 60-17 with outside centre, Ian Wood scoring a hat-trick of tries.

The Pumas will be hosting next year’s edition of the Craven Week in Middelburg. The side’s flyhalf, Matthew Abbey, could by then be one of the names on everybody’s lips if he keeps developing as a player. Abbey is without a doubt one of the players to watch out for in this Puma-squad.

He also combined well with his scrumhalf, Liam Pringle. The inside centre, Johnny dos Santos, was also dangerous on attack creating the space for Wood to cause havoc in the back.

In the pack of forwards the Pumas’ two locks, Bakkies Bezuidenhout and Zak Loock, impressed with their physical presence.

Scorers: 

Blue Bulls 35 (15) – Tries: Luann Olivier (3), Junade Pasensie, Leskin Samuels, Hendré Schoeman. Conversion: Ruben Pienaar. Penalty: Pienaar. Golden Lions 34 (24) – Try: Khuthadzo Rasivhaga (2), André Poulton, McMillen Mongwana. Conversions: Vusi Moyo (4). Penalties: Moyo (2).

Pumas 60 (22) – Tries: Ian Wood (3), Prosper Chiloane (2), Ryan Erasmus, Stefan Bezuidenhout, Vaughn van Zyl, Penalty Try Conversion: Matthew Abbey (5). Penalty: Abbey. Limpopo Blue Bulls 17 (0) – Tries: Aza Mabe (2). Conversions: Byron Hendricks (2). Penalty: Hendricks.

The player with number seven on his back was the last line of defence. He walked to the halfway line, eyes tracking the ball. Then, without warning, he burst into life.

One moment he was assisting on the left wing, then he was causing turnovers in the middle of the park and charging down the opposition’s defenders.

He was everywhere, supporting, defending, attacking and pressing.

It was in one of those presses that he dispossessed a defender, carried the ball into the D, and unleashed a shot at goal.

Unleashed is the proper term, the only word that encapsulates that moment, because the young man in the number seven shirt, Kearsney College‘s Matthew Mendes de Oliveira, does not take shots, he unleashes them. He swings the stick with all of himself, and when he makes contact, the ball screams towards the goal, propelled by all of his hopes and all of the love he has for hockey and life and the moment.

The goalkeeper made a save, but Trent Jessop collected the rebound and slotted the ball past him. KwaZulu-Natal Coastal had scored their first goal in the third and fourth place playoffs at the SASHOC U18 National Week. It turned out to be the only goal of the contest.

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The kitchen is the heart of the home. It is also central to Matthew Mendes de Oliveira’s development as a hockey player. It was the last room of the house that he stepped into before heading into the backyard, where he learned the game, competing against his mother, Phillippa, and his older sister, Daniela.

Mendes de Oliveira was born into a sporting family. His father played rugby and water polo, and his maternal grandfather played tennis, cricket, and baseball at provincial level. He inherited their love for ball sports.

“Teachers at school used to say when he was sitting in a lesson, Matthew would be staring outside at whatever ball sport was being played. If there was a ball sport outside, he was more interested in that,” Phillippa shared.

It was from his mother that he picked up his love for hockey. She played hockey at school and after Dani picked it up at primary school, it became the family pastime. Phillippa spent countless afternoons teaching her children everything she could about the game.

“She taught us how to bully (the old-fashioned start to the game),” Dani, who plays for the SA national team and is a part of the Stellenbosch University and Western Province sides, explained.

It is also in the Mendes de Oliveira kitchen that one will find the principles that guide Matthew Mendes de Oliveira. The family has a chalkboard with their family values written there. The words perseverance, tenacity, loyalty, and humility have been there for years. They are all Mendes de Oliveira has seen. They are a legacy the family inherited from Mendes de Oliveira’s paternal grandfather.

“Those values have always been important for us; they remind us that you never give up. So, even if things aren’t going so well, you push through and don’t give up,” Matthew said.

His great-grandfather was a newspaper seller in Portugal, but he worked hard and, eventually, earned himself three degrees. “I think it’s about having that drive to push through difficult times,” Phillippa said.

No member of their family is a better example of those traits than Matthew. His role models are Jamie Dwyer and Muhammad Ali.

Hockey Hall of Famer Dwyer is one of the most decorated hockey players from Down Under. However, it is not his accomplishments that draw Mendes de Oliveira to him, rather it is the former’s resilience against hardship and his never-say-die attitude. The same applies to Ali.

“They had quite humble beginnings. They came from tough times and were able to make themselves who they are. They were just hard workers and they also appealed to me with the way they presented themselves and the way they went about things,” Mendes de Oliveira explained.

According to the rest of his family, Mendes de Oliveira plays hockey with little regard for his self-preservation. In 2023, he was injured at the provincial trials, taking a knock that fractured his gums.

A dentist ruled that he had to take things easy for the next six weeks. Another knock, no matter how minor, left him at the risk of losing his front row of teeth and surgery was a possibility, too.

However, after captaining the KZN Coastal u16 side to inter-provincial gold the previous year, Mendes de Oliviera felt that he would be a key member of the u18 side, and they would benefit from his playing. He was adamant, he was not going to stay at home.

Knowing that trying to stand in his way was a futile exercise, Phillippa looked for ways to make it possible for him to travel. They modified an airsoft mask, added a layer of foam for extra protection, and he was ready to go. He produced one of his best campaigns that year.

Now 18, his is prepared to put his body on the line to prevent a goal, score a goal, and to make sure his team wins. He was doing so when he played for the u12 side at Highbury Prep, he’s been doing the same this season for Kearsney College and the KZN Coastal team.

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There was less than a minute left in the match. Paul Roos had arrived at the Founders Festival in early March not only undefeated, but they were yet to concede a goal at the event. The visitors led 1-0, and they looked certain to keep another clean sheet. As time ticked away, Kearsney launched one final attack on the Paul Roos goal. Unsurprisingly, Mendes de Oliveira was at the heart of that foray. It resulted in a penalty corner.

“Matthew scored a drag flick to level the score at 1-1, and I think how the goal was scored and what it meant made the moment so sweet. It was quite a special moment. And it also meant that we were unbeaten at our home festival,” said Ashley Kemp, the Kearsney College coach.

It was a sign of how things would be for the rest of the 2024 season for Kearsney. Mendes de Oliveira carried the team on his shoulders.

It was the sort of thing Kemp had learned to expect from his captain. Through their 2024 campaign, Mendes de Oliveira scored last-minute efforts, conjured up brilliant equalisers, and inspired his teammates to find an extra burst of energy to keep going, even when all seemed lost.

The two started working together when the latter was 16 and, even back then, Mendes de Oliveira was the best player in the first team.

“It’s not often that you get to have a player of Matt’s stature and quality in a schoolboy setting, and a lot of the time when you do get a player of his quality, you just kind of need to sit back and marvel at the quality,” Kemp said.

“I’m all about hard work. I’m not a flashy player. I like to pride myself on the hard work that I do,” Mendes de Oliveira said when asked to describe himself as a player.

It is a description that Kemp agrees with, but he added hyperbole by stating that Mendes de Oliveira puts in “120 percent effort in the gym, 120 percent effort on the training field, and 120 percent effort on matchday.”

The mentor refused to take credit for this, saying: “It’s hard for me to grow such a quality player in the short period of time that I have worked with him. I’ve coached Matt now for two years and a lot of the time my coaching is all about challenging him and testing his ability as opposed to really teaching him anything.

“I think because he is such a quality player, he brings a lot of quality to my training sessions and raises the level of my training sessions, so I find myself having to constantly just challenge his level and see how far I can push him, as opposed to really teaching him anything.”

Mendes de Oliveira’s development on the Astro is a result of his home and his early club hockey years, the player reckoned.

“My early years of club hockey were quite tough at the beginning. I was lucky enough to have a few guys to help me. [South African international] Jethro Eustice was one of them. He got me to play club hockey, and he and the other guys were tough on me, and I think that helped me in a lot of ways,” he explained.

Eustice and company taught him the value of taking responsibility for his game and that of the players around him. It is a quality that he has carried with him as he developed through different age groups. It is a quality that led Michael Baker and Cameron Mackay to bestow provincial captaincy upon him.

When asked about his leadership style, Mendes De Oliveira responded: “I try to lead from the front through action. I’m not the greatest motivational speaker, but I always try to hold myself in that way.”

In his understated manner, last week, he led the KZN Coastal side to a bronze medal at the SASHOC National Week. And though he couldn’t get his side the gold, the selectors saw enough to know that he deserved to be a part of the South African Schools side for a second year in succession.

Next year, he will be a part of the Maties’ team and fighting hard to realise his dream of representing South Africa at international level.