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Scorers:

South Western Districts 22 (5) – Tries: Brendon Gouws, Jay-Jay Daters, Keenan Jantjies, Kurt Coetzee. Conversion: Elgernon Meyer. Valke 19 (11) – Tries: Lynghe Pretorius, Oregopotse Shilubane. Penalties: Duan du Toit (3).

Free State 54 (42) – Tries: Christiaan van der Westhuizen, Ranon Fouche, JJ Theron, Jean-Henri Smit, Pieter van der Merwe, Stefan Venter, Keegan Scholtz, Phiwe Mkunjana. Conversions: Ian van der Merwe (7). Western Province XV 14 (0) – Tries: Daniel van der Merwe, Louw du Toit. Conversion: JT George (2).

Eastern Province 40 (20) – Tries: De Wet Fourie (2), MC Strydom, Burrie Van Heerden, Imaani Pemba, Dominic Malgas. Conversions: Lucraine Muggels, Malgas. Penalties: Muggels, Malgas. Boland 26 (12) – Tries: James Daniels (2), Carick Kustoor (2). Conversions: Luan Giliomee (3).

Western Province 35 (27) – Tries: Haashim Pead, Jameel de Jongh, Justin Amos, Gilmerno Mentoe. Conversions: Yaqeen Ahmed (3). Penalty: Ahmed. Sharks 24 (14) – Tries: Liam Terblanche, Phiwayinkosi Kubheka, Maurice Willemse. Conversions: Chris Horak (3). Penalty: Horak.

The Golden Lions secured their spot in the final match of the Academy Week by beating the Sharks 25-15 with a dominant second-half performance.

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The tournament is being hosted at Jeppe in Johannesburg this year, and the home crowd were treated to a top-class display by the Lions.

The Jeppe scrumhalf, Bryce Samuel, stole the show with a phenomenal performance. His kicking around the ruck and decision-making was faultless and he was extremely alert, catching the Sharks off guard on a number of occasions.

The most impressive aspect of Samuel’s play, however, was his physicality in defence and when cleaning the rucks. The little scrummy was a treat to watch.

The Sharks began the game on the front foot with two early tries by Michaelhouse’s Carlyle Hawkins (eighth man) and his teammate from Maritzburg College, Swelihle Mbatha (fullback).

Mbatha was playing on the wing for this game and the dynamic speedster showed his athleticism, vaulting over an incoming defender to give the team from KZN a 12-3 lead after 15 minutes.

Ernesto Oersen, the winger from Monument, reduced the deficit for the Lions shortly after, but his team were still trailing by seven points, 15-8, at halftime.

Having absorbed the initial Sharks onslaught, the hosts completely dominated the second half and scored 17 unanswered points.

Samuel was the standout player for the Lions, but his teammates, Vusi Moyo (flyhalf), from King Edward VII and Henrico Germishuizen (eighth man) also played exceptionally well.

Moyo combined well with his scrum-half to direct the Lions’ attack and his territorial kicking was spot-on.

Germishuizen was a menace at the rucks and untiring in his work rate.

For the Sharks, the big Kearsney lock, Heinrich Fourie, was effective at the lineouts and caused the Lions some problems, and Nkulukelo Sithole, their centre from Maritzburg College also played well.

The Lions are looking like the team to beat this year, but they will be well aware that their opponents on Thursday have shown that they know how to win.

They face the Western Province Academy team in the final match after WP managed to protect their slender advantage against the Griffons to win 24-18.

Their Paul Roos eighthman, Reuben Kruger, was massive for them in the battle against the Griffons.

It looked like the Western Province team were dominating most facets of the game, but they were simply unable to get out of range of the Griffons, spearheaded by their stalwart flyhalf from Hoërskool Trio, Byron Bienas.

A brace by the ever-involved flanker from Wynberg Boys’ High, Aden da Costa, kept his side in front and WP managed to see out the game and secure their spot in the final match.

The Limpopo Blue Bulls had to rely on the kicking boot of their fullback from Hoërskool Pietersburg, Dian van Tonder, who slotted six penalties and two conversions for his team in their highly entertaining 32-26 victory against the LSEN XV who have been exceeding all expectations this week.

For the LSEN XV, their winger, Oarabile Tlhatlhedi, from Pro-Practicum, stood out for how well he organized his team, keeping them calm and making sure that they kept within striking range of their opponents on the scoreboard.

Scorers:

Golden Lions 30 (8) – Tries: Ernesto Oersen, Exauce Tshiamala, Zulu Khobane, Olunje Mehlomakulu. Conversions: Simphiwe Moyo (2). Penalties: Moyo (2). Sharks 15 (15) – Tries: Carlyle Hawkins, Swelihle Mbatha. Conversion: Luke Davidson. Penalty: Davidson

Western Province 24 (14) – Tries: Aden da Costa (2), Alfie Holm, Jannie Grobbelaar. Conversions: Marno Pretorius (2). Griffons 18 (3) – Tries: Arnold Ras, Laurenze Laminie. Coversion: Byron Bienas. Penalties:: Bienas (2).

Blue Bulls 28 (10) – Tries: Anwill Prins, Wade Williams. Conversions: Ruben Pienaar (2). Penalties: Pienaar (3). Sharks XV 10 (0) – Av Tukwayo, Unathi Mlotshwa.

Limpopo Blue Bulls 32 (19) – Tries: Jabulani Shayi (2). Conversions: Dian van Tonder (2). Penalties: Van Tonder (6). LSEN XV 26 (17) – Tries: Tyrese Brouers, Rodney van Rooyen. Conversions: Oarabile Tlhatlhedi (2). Penalties: Tlhatlhedi (4).

Day 3 fixtures:

Collard Field: 08:30 – Namibia vs Zimbabwe; 09:50 – Boland vs Cheetahs; 11:10 – Sharks vs Griffons; 12:30 – Lions vs WP.

White Field: 08:30 – Limpopo Blue Bulls vs SWD; 09:50 – Bulls vs Pumas; 11:10 – Eastern Province vs Griquas.

Top Right Field: 08:30 – Border vs LSEN XV; 09:50 – Sharks XV vs Leopards; 11:10 – Border CD vs Valke.

Scorers:

Leopards: 46 (13) – Tries: Lebogang Wageng (2), Hennoh Visser, Lorenzo Snyers, Carlo van Wijk, Collin Pereira, Renier Rall. Conversions: Leonard Bevan (4). Penalty: Jaden Meyer. Griqualand West 7 (7) – Try: Damian McClean. Conversion: Elridge Jack.

Griffons: 43 (10) – Tries: Andi Mentz, Charlten Basson, Hendrich Loubser, Fano Linde, Ethan Jones, Penalty Try. Conversions: Paseka Mokoena (3), Renaldo Kiewiet. Penalty: Kiewiet. Limpopo Blue Bulls: 22 (17) – Tries: Gerdro Grobler, Mahlatse Semosa, Hope Seyaga. Conversions: Wian Terblanche (2). Penalty: Wian Terblanche.

Golden Lions 55 (29) – Tries: Esethu Mnebelele (2), Cheswill Jooste (2), Kelvin Van Wyk (2), Thandolwethu Biyela, Khuti Rasivhaga, Daylon Myners. Conversions: Myners (3), JT Kapank (2). Pumas 29 (10) – Tries: Fumani Chauke (2), Luan Lottering, Sifiso Nhleko. Conversions: Zander Erasmus (3). Penalty: Erasmus.

Blue Bulls 40 (14) – Tries: Luan Olivier (2), Shaun Schürmann (2), David Brits, Brooklyn Newman. Conversions: Nicallen Gabrielsen (5). Border 5 (5) – Try: Dewan Du Preez.

 

 

 

 

Scorers:

Golden Lions 30 (8) – Tries: Ernesto Oersen, Exauce Tshiamala, Zulu Khobane, Olunje Mehlomakulu. Conversions: Simphiwe Moyo (2). Penalties: Moyo (2). Sharks 15 (15) – Tries: Carlyle Hawkins, Swelihle Mbatha. Conversion: Luke Davidson. Penalty: Davidson

Western Province 24 (14) – Tries: Aden da Costa (2), Alfie Holm, Jannie Grobbelaar. Conversions: Marno Pretorius (2). Griffons 18 (3) – Tries: Arnold Ras, Laurenze Laminie. Coversion: Byron Bienas. Penalties:: Bienas (2).

Blue Bulls 28 (10) – Tries: Anwill Prins, Wade Williams. Conversions: Ruben Pienaar (2). Penalties: Pienaar (3). Sharks XV 10 (0) – Av Tukwayo, Unathi Mlotshwa.

Limpopo Blue Bulls 32 (19) – Tries: Jabulani Shayi (2). Conversions: Dian van Tonder (2). Penalties: Van Tonder (6). LSEN XV 26 (17) – Tries: Tyrese Brouers, Rodney van Rooyen. Conversions: Oarabile Tlhatlhedi (2). Penalties: Tlhatlhedi (4).

Griquas 22 (15): Tries: Julius Muzaza, Gregan Jansen, Keante Pienaar. Conversions: Ruwin Isaks, Hendrik Nell. Penalty: Isaks. South Western Districts 3 (3): Penalty: Luca Potgieter.

Namibia 27 (10): Tries: Walther Otto, Soobra Sammy, JD Rossouw, Antwa Klein. Conversions: Michael Koopman (2). Penalty: Koopman. Broder Country Districts 10 (0): Try: Xelo Xelo, Conversion: Esona Xashimba. Penalty: Luyelwand Mfengu.

Free State 39 (17): Tries: Liam van Wyk (2), Calvin Bolt, Heinrich Theron, Erich Visser, Rorisang Masoeu. Conversions: Dailen Geldenhuys (3). Penalty: Geldenhuys. Eastern Province 33 (26): Tries: Kaiden Titus, Aidan Wilkonson, Conrad Botha, Virgel Grootboom. Conversions: Logan Muller (4).

Zimbabwe 28 (14): Tries: Matthew Meller, Tino Rusike, Tatenda Runyowa, Tyde Stirrip. Conversions: Tino Rusike (2), Brennan Walt (2). Border 22 (7): Tries: Anthenkosi Msileni, Ruan Potgieter, Jade Zindlu. Conversions: Zindlu, Jacqyl Wright. Penalty: Zindlu.

Boland 23 (10): Tries: Keanu Saunders, Jordan Abels. Conversions: Jordan Abels (2). Penalties: Abels (3). Pumas 17 (7): Tries: Ronin van Niekerk, Timothy Ntsangase, Andeon Swart. Conversion: Ntsangase.

Leopards 30 (8): Tries: GJ Steenkamp, Olerato Bonokwane, Liam Pretorius, Minehle Khumalo. Conversions: Rickardt van Heerden (2). Penalties: van Heerden (2). Valke 17 (10): Tries: Mbongeni Shongwe, Zihle Tumahole, Cameron van Wyk. Conversion: Ryan Smith.

The South African sevens team that will be representing the country at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago between the 4th and 11th of August has been announced.

There is some amazing talent in this group, all of these boys have been excelling for their first teams this season and it will be exciting to see how they combine to measure up against some of the best young athletes in the world.

This will be the seventh edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games and more than a thousand young sportsmen and women between the ages of 13 and 18 will be competing at the prestigious event.

This sevens squad makes up the largest contingent of the South African group of 49 athletes who will be representing the nation and judging by the star-studded group, they will make us proud.

We wish these players the best of luck, along with their coaching team of Marius Schoeman and Ghafoer Luckan.

The team is:

Siyanda Nkosi (Northwood), Stephanus Linde (Voortrekker), Jeffwin Wesso (Outeniqua), Luann Olivier (Garsfontein), James Nero (Hoërskool Durbanville), Thandolwami Ntshangase (Durban High School), Gino Cupido (Strand), Siybonga Ndlozi (Westville), Lavela Pongolo (Grey High), Bernardo Diedericks (Robertson), Samuel Badenhorst (Paul Roos), Luan Giliomee (Charlie Hofmeyr), Marno Stopforth (Grey College).

 

The Lions put together a clinical performance to overcome the Blue Bulls by 44-22 in the Jukskei derby of the Academy week.

Forwards coach, Ian Joubert, will be happy with the performance brought to the table by the big men upfront.

The onslaught by the forwards was led by eighthman, Henrico Germishuizen, who impressed with his powerful ball carries. Germishuizen also managed to cross the white wash twice in his teams’ important victory.

With the platform well set upfront it allowed the backline of the Lions to showcase their talent lurking in the backline. Inside centre, Exauce Kevani, had his name on everyone’s lips as he too manged to break through the defences to cross the whitewash. Siphwe Moyo put on a master class from the kicking tee and casually slotted a 60-meter penalty from within his own half and impressed with his tactical kicking ability.

For the men in blue it was their hooker who tried valiantly with a solid performance scoring two of the Bulls’ tries. Scrumhalf, Zian Cilliers, also put in the hard yards and was impressive with his sniping runs from the base of the ruck.

The Sharks opened their account by beating Boland 36-29 in a scintillating curtain raiser on the Collard Field.

Boland were out of the blocks quickly, but the Sharks hit their straps soon after with fullback, Swelihle Mbatha, cutting through the defences to score the opener for his side.

Luke Davidson also rounded of some slick handling to dot down under the posts. The attention, though, was on the man in the number 22 jumper, Akuhluwa Boqwana. Boqwana set the standard with a man of the match performance, scoring two tries and contributing 13 points from the kicking tee.

Although, one must wonder what was said at half-time in the Boland changing room as they came out in full swing in the second half. The men from Boland ran rampant and managed to shrink a lead of 21 points and eventually take the lead in a matter of minutes. Replacement hooker led the fight back with two tries from the back of an impressive Boland driving-maul.

But it wasn’t enough as the men from Natal bounced back quickly securing a victory in a thriller of a match.

The Limpopo Blue Bulls impressed and might have shocked a few with their over the Leopards. The men from up North bagged their first victory of the week by six points (31-25).

Fullback, Dian van Tonder, stood out by contributing 23 of his teams’ 36 points, 10 of which came from two wonderful tries.

For the Leopards it was their lock pairing Pedrie Human and Erich Potgieter were the shining lights. The pair put in a big shift on defence and were ruthless on attack. Human also managed to cross the tryline twice for his team.

The Sharks XV proved to be too good for Border as they emerged victorious with a final score of 39-15. Zankosi Mthiyane (reserwe wing) and hooker, Luthando Makula, were in the thick of things as they scored two tries each. While Adriano Jacobs showed his raw pace on left wing to add five points of his own for the team from Natal.

Border struggled to find rhythm upfront, but managed to get the ball out wide to allow their wingers Thomas Braun and Anthenkosi Msileni to land counter punches by crossing the whitewash.

Scorers:

Golden Lions 44 (25) – Tries: Exauce Kevani Tshalmalala (2), Henrico Germishuizen (2), Juandre Schoeman, Bryce Samuel. Conversions: Sipiwhe Moyo (4). Penalties: Sipiwhe Moyo (2). Blue Bulls 22 (10) – Tries: Ethan van Dyk (2), Zian Cilliers. Conversions: Bradley Jansen, Ruben Pienaar. Penalty: Bradley Jansen.

Sharks 36 (21) – Tries: Akahluwa Boqwana (2), Luke Davidson, Swelihle Mbatha, Kwenzokuhle Dlamini, Jeshua Ferreira. Converstions: Boqwana (5). Penalty: Boqwana. Boland 29 (0) – Tries: Charlton Manuel (2), Bronwin Williams, Lu-Handre Arendse, Kerwin Davids. Conversions: Williams (2).

Limpopo Blue Bulls 31 (17) – Tries: Dian van Tonder (2), Jadrin Blerk, Chadwin Storm. Coversions: Van Tonder (3). Penalty: van Tonder. Leopards 25 (15) – Tries: Pedrie Human (2), Untandile Maluleke. Conversions: Rickardt van Heerden (2). Penalties: van Heerden (2).

Sharks XV 39 (22) – Tries: Zenkosi Mthiyane (2), Luthando Makula (2), Adriano Jacobs, Murry Baker. Conversions: Unathi Mlotshwa (2). Border 15 (5) – Thomas Braun, Anthenkosi Msileni, Jade Zindlu. Penalty: Lindoluhle Ndela

Na die tweede dag van die VKB Platteland Rugbyweek te Hoërskool Reitz is dit weer die Luiperds en die Rooikatte wat uitstaan bo die kompetisie.

Die twee spanne speel Woensdag in die hoofwedstryd in ‘n herhaling van verlede jaar, toe die Luiperds met 24-17 die Rooikatte kon mak maak.

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In die hoofwedstryd van die tweede dag moes die Luiperds  eers ‘n opgewekte NKZN aanval absorbeer voordat die damwal gebars het.

Tot diep in die tweede helfte was dit slegs die Hoërskool Vryburg se haker, Marco van den Berg, se drie vir die Luiperds wat die twee spanne geskei het op 11-6.

Nadat hulle eers baie druk van die Lammergeiers moes absorbeer was dit weer die Luiperds se uitblinker agsteman, Dries Scheepers, wat die deurbraak gemaak het vir sy span.

Scheepers was Saterdag ook onmisbaar en kon drie drieë druk in hul 59-7 oorwinning teen Zululand. Na nog twee drieë vandag het die agsteman van Lichtenburg op die oomblik die meeste drieë in die toernooi agter sy naam.

Die Rooikatte verdien hul plek in die hoofwedstryd na hul 50-21 sege teen ‘n sterk Pumas span.

Hul opwindende heelagter van Midstream College, Jordan de Leeuw, was op sy stukke en kon twee drieë druk.

Die groot Rooikat senter van Curro Hazeldean, Tshepo Hlungani, wat in die nommer sewe trui speel omdat die agterlyn truie nie voorsien vir ‘n man met sy bou nie, het ook ‘n pragdrie bygedra.

Die Luiperds lyk goed ingerig om hul kampioenstatus te verdedig, maar die Rooikatte sal ander planne vir Woensdag se wedstryd hê.

Zululand het hul staal gewys toe hulle kon terugkom nadat hulle halftyd nog 22-10 agter was om 36-22 teen Oos-Vrystaat te wen.

Hul agsteman, Emile Erasmus, van Richardsbaai het in die laaste vyf minute gedruk om vir Zululand die voordeel te gee wat hulle kon beskerm tot die eindfluitjie blaas.

Caleb Picton, die hardwerkende agterlynspeler van Felixton College het uitgestaan in daardie kragmeting en is as speler van die wedstryd gekies.

Die Barbarians is die derde span wat nog onoorwonne is nadat hulle met die SKZN span kon afreken (36-24).

Urban Pienaar, hul vleuel van Goudveld af, was op ‘n vlak van sy eie en kon ‘n driekuns aanteken teen die Suid-Natal span.

As die Barbarians Woensdag teen die Griekwas kan wen sal dit slegs hulle en die kampioene wees wat die byeenkoms onoorwonne verlaat.

Dinsdag neem die spanne almal deel aan ‘n sewestoernooi. Die spelers sal dan ook die kans kry om ‘n plek te verdien in die Platteland sewes-span wat in Dubai gaan meeding.

Puntemakers:

Luiperds 36 (11) – Drieë: Dries Scheepers (2), Marco van den Berg, Hanco Halgryn, PW Smit. Doelskop: Zander Ackerman. Strafoelle: Albert Joubert (2), Ackerman. NKZN 6 (6) – Strafdoelle: Kyle Barsdorf (2).

Rooikatte 50 (26) – Drieë: Jordan de Leeuw (2), Anru Cronje, JJ Steenkamp, Xander Senekal, Tian Pretorius, Justin Hattingh, Tshepo Hlungwani. Doelskoppe: De Leeuw (5). Pumas 21 (7) – Drieë: Delron Cyster, Bonolo Mtsweni, Lux Bulala. Doelskoppe: Minenhle Mtsweni (3).

Barbarians 36 (24) – Drieë: Urban Pienaar (3), Tyrece Britz, Daniel Meintjies, Nico van Rensburg. Doelskoppe: Juan Theunissen (2), Dries Stemmet. SKZN 24 (10) – Drieë: Langelihle Vezi (2), Jethro Alexandre. Doelskoppe: Eben Botes (3). Strafdoel: Botes.

Zululand 36 (10) – Drieë: Jarred Builherme, Ruhandre van Heerden, Kyle Hulley, Elijah Botha, Joshua van Schalkwyk, Emile Erasmus. Doelskoppe: Van Heerden (3). Oos-Vrystaat 34 (22) – Drieë: Letlotlo Mohale, Prince Selikane, Lebohang Nteo, Koketsa Mnumzana, Lefa Lehalehale. Doelskoppe: Tebello Kabi (2), Janco Swart. Strafdoel: Kabi.

Sandveld 31 (7) – Drieë: Johan Jordaan (2), Braam Madden, Janru Struwig. Doelskoppe: Alex du Pisani (3), Jordaan. Strafdoel: Du Pisani. Kiewiete Platteland 17 (3) – Drieë: Bin Laden Macholo, Divan Bekker. Doelskoppe: Licha Leballo (2). Strafoel: Leballo.

Griekwas 17 (7) – Drieë: Eugene Makubedu, SW van Heerden. Doelskoppe: Junaid Jood. Strafdoel: Jood. Vrystaat Kiewiete 17 (12) – Drieë: Sterling Batties, Divan Greyling, Raymond Vers. Doelskop: Batties.

Bepalings:

Dinsdag (sewes): 15:00 – Barbarians t. NKZN; 15:20 – SKZN t. Oos-Vrystaat; 15:40 – Kiewiete Platteland t. Luiperds; 16:00 – Pumas t. Sandveld; 16:20 – VS Kiewiete t. Griekwas; 16:40 – Rooikatte t. Zululand.

Woensdag: 08:00 – Kiewiete Platteland t. Oos-Vrystaat; 09:20 – VS Kiewiete t. SKZN; 10:40 – Zululand t. Sandveld; 12:00 – Barbarians t. Griekwas; 13:20 – Noord-Natal t. Pumas; 14:40 – Luiperds t. Rooikatte.

The first day of the Academy Week is underway at Jeppe in Johannesburg, and there have already been some tight games and big upsets.

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The Griffons pulled off a big upset against the Free State (25-24).

The Bloemfontein-based side started strong and were 12-0 up after six minutes but the Griffons, managed expertly by two boys from Hoërskool Trio, Byron Biennas (flyhalf) and their captain, Barend Pelser (centre), were able to stem the flow of points early on.

The Griffons ended the half with the momentum having shifted in their favour, scoring two more tries through Kamohelo Mokoena, their lively winger from Welkom Gimnasium, and Kaneng Komane, their Fullback from Voortrekker, after Biennas’ earlier try to go into the break tied at 19-all.

In the second half, the Griffons’ loose forwards rushing around the rucks caused endless problems for the Free State, which piled on the pressure as the boys seemed to be making more unforced errors, not capitalizing on their opportunities and allowing Biennas to keep punishing them off the kicking tee.

The only try in the second half, scored by Rorisang Masoeu (winger) from Grey College, saw the Free State regain the lead, but they were unable to build a buffer and the Griffons remained within striking range for the trusty boot of their star flyhalf, which allowed him to slot a late penalty and steal a famous win for his team.

Biennas scored 15 points on the day with a try, two conversions and two penalties and he was unmissable for the Griffons.

Mokoena also looked exciting and will be one to keep an eye on during the rest of the week.

For the Free State, three of their Grey-College players, their big prop, Daniel Kruger, and the centre pairing of Hayden Tolmay and Martin Botha played well, but this was not the result that they would have wanted to kick off their week.

At the same time, in George, the Free State Craven Week team lost to Eastern Province 26-23 in another massive upset.

The Eastern Province also made Western Province sweat during their game, but WP managed to hold on to a 48-42 lead to secure the win.

Fourteen tries were scored in this action-packed match, with WP’s centre from Paarl Gimnasium, Hennie Otto, scoring a brace and their flyhalf from Boland Landbou, Retagen van Rooi, also getting over the line and converting four of their tries.

James Nero (winger) from Hoërskool Durbanville looked strong when carrying the ball for Western Province and Van Rooi also stood out for his contributions.

Eastern Province played really well to keep the game as close as it was, and the efforts of Kaiden Titus (winger) from Grey High and Ewald Mattheus (hooker) were noticeable as they pushed Western Province up to the very last moments.

Logan Muller (flyhalf) from Framesby and Amazing Vheriwa (hooker) from Kingswood also had a marked impact on the game when they came on for EP after halftime.

Ethan Malgas (scrumhalf) from Van Kervel had a dream game for the LSEN XV in their 35-34 victory over Border Country Districts.

The industrious little scrummy scored two tries, two conversions and three penalties for 23 points, making him the top scorer of the day so far.

The Griquas had to rely on the long-range kicking abilities of Simon Liversage, their centre from Diamantveld, who converted four penalties in their 36-29 win over an energetic Zimbabwe.

Scorers:

Griffons 25 (19) – Tries: Byron Biennas, Kamohelo Mokoena, Kaneng Komane. Conversions: Biennas (2). Penalties: Biennas (2). Free State 24 (19) – Tries: Theko Montjane, Erich Visser, Martin Botha, Rorisang Masoeu. Conversions: Dailen Geldenhuys (2).

Western Province 48 (24) – Tries: Hennie Otto (2), Riyaad Bam, James Nero, Luke Swatz, Aden da Costa, Retagan van Rooi, Ethan Wilson. Conversions: Van Rooi (4). Eastern Province 42 (18) – Tries: Ewald Mattheus, Azakhanye Ncula, Amazing Vheriwa, Virgel Grootboom, Johannes van Zyl, Caleb Friskin. Conversions: Logan Muller (2), Praise Mtsila. Penalties: Mtsila (2).

Pumas 26 (7) – Tries: Heino Meiring, Wandisa Mthobeni, Landulwazi Nkosi, Ian Wood. Conversions: Timothy Ntshangase (3). SWD 22 (5) – Tries: Gustav van der Merwe, Kerwin Scott, Waylon Kortjie. Conversions: Luca Potgieter (2). Penalty: Potgieter

LSEN XV 35 (22) – Tries: Ethan Malgas (2), Ethan Vaaltyn, G-Jay Fortuin. Conversions: Malgas (2), Oarabile Tlhatlhedi. Penalties: Malgas (3). Border Country Districts 34 (3) – Tries: Jordan Peters, Xelelo Xelelo, Ngqiqo Magadla, Luyelwanda Mfengu. Conversions: Esona Xashimba (4). Penalties: Xashimba (2).

Valke 28 (13) – Tries: Ryan Smith (2), Riekus van der Merwe, Cameron van Wyk, Martin van Wyngaardt. Penalty: Smith. Namibia 27 (17) – Tries: Jurgen Meyer, Petrus Tromp, Xavier Mouton, Johannes Rossouw. Conversions: Rossouw, Tromp. Penalty: Tromp.

Griquas 36 (21) – Tries: Ethan van Zyl, Abdul Fisher, Tumi Muzaza. Conversions: Ruwin Isaks (3). Penalties: Simon Liversage (4). Zimbabwe 29 (17) – Tries: Shammah Jackson (2), Imma Magutakuona, Stefan Kruger, Ethan Chaponda. Conversions: Tino Rusike, Brennan Watt.

GEORGE. – It is clear that the side who want to take top honours as the 58th Craven Week in George will have to first get past Western Province.

Western Province produced a dominant performance in the main match of the opening day at Outeniqua Park to defeat the hosts, South Western Districts, by 42-12.

It was Western Province’s tenth successive victory at the Craven Week. The team has been crowned the non-official champions at the last three tournaments (2022, 2019 and 2018).

Flanker Divan Fuller showed that he is without a doubt a player to look out for in future. He was superb on the ground as well as troubling the home side’s defence with some bullocking runs.

Fuller will without a doubt have received more than a couple of ticks from the SA Schools selectors after this performance.

The other standout performance came from outside Gino Cupido who also appeared on the pitch after half-time. He sliced through SWD’s defence almost at will. Cupido represented the SA Schools A-side as a winger in 2022.

Flyhalf, Kyle Smith, dictated play with some excellent tactical kicking as well as providing his backline with quality opportunities throughout the game. The eighthman, Aidan Norris, also has a monster of a match supporting Fuller in the physical aspects of the match.

SWD was better than what the scoreline reads. The home side created more than enough opportunities to score but squandered almost all of them. The tighthead prop, Juan Kleinhans, put forth a solid performance for the Ostrich farmers, while winger JJ Daters was probably his side’s standout performer on the day.

The Sharks produced an impressive performance to down the Western Province XV by 34-24 in their clash on the opening day. The team from KwaZulu-Natal managed to built up a more than comfortable 22-5 lead at half-time.

The backline was in top form as fullback, Jaco Williams, managed to create ample space for his side’s wingers, Siyabonga Ndlozi and Luyanda Kunene, to cause havoc to Western Province’s defence. Ndlozi scored a brace of tries, while Kunene also rounded off one of his side’s movements.

The Sharks’ flyhalf, Chris Horak, could also feel more than happy with his performance as his distribution and game management was excellent. Outside centre, Campbell Ridl, also had a good day at the office. He stands 1.96m tall in his socks but showed why he is rated as the top outside centre in KwaZulu-Natal. Pure class.

Scorers: 

Western Province 42 (23) – Try: Zeke January, Cilliers Viljoen, Albie Bester, Haashim Pead, Xola Nyali, Gino Cupido. Conversion: Kyle Smith (3). Penalties: Smith (2). South Western Districts 12 (7) – Tries: Ashwen Damons, Andrew Stopforth. Conversion: Elgeron Meyer.

Sharks 34 (22) – Tries: Siyabonga Ndlozi (2), Campbell Ridl, Jaco Williams, Luyanda Kunene. Conversions: Chris Horak (3). Penalty: Horak. Western Province XV 24 (5) – Tries: Enslin Claasen, Juma Amissi, HB Odendaal, Torren February. Conversions: Daniel van der Merwe (2).

 

GEORGE. – The Free State suffered their record fifth successive defeat at the annual Craven Week when Eastern Province shocked them by 26-23 during the opening day of this year’s tournament at Outeniqua Park.

Eastern Province produced a superb performance in the second half to secure the victory after trailing by 6-16 at the break.

The initial spark was provided by winger Jamiane Dampies from the kick-off as he ran more than 60 metres past the Free State’s defence to score an exceptional try.

It was however the performances of their two loose-forwards De Wet Fourie (eighthman) and Ballo Hlekani (flanker) which kept the fire burning throughout. Fourie was named Man of the Match for his efforts. The duo managed to keep the dangerous JJ Theron (eighthman) at bay during the match.

Theron had to put more effort into the breakdown than usual which restricted the amount of opportunities he had to set-off on his dangerous runs.

Eastern Province’s flyhalf, Dominic Malgas, also played a major role to help secure the victory by keeping the scoreboard ticking over with his boot. He converted both his side’s tries and slotted four penalties. He also asked a couple of difficult questions to the Free Stater’s defence.

The side from Bloemfontein’s best player on the day was Marno Stopforth (flanker).

Free State last victory at the Craven Week was in 2019 in Bloemfontein when they managed to beat Boland on the second day of the tournament by 45-26. The streak of five losses is the most the Free Staters suffered since the inaugural tournament of 1964.

The Free Stater’s last victory over Eastern Province at the tournament was back in 2013 in Polokwane.

Boland kicked-off their 2023-campaign with a 26-19 victory over the Valke in the first match of the 58th edition of the Craven Week. The victorious side’s flanker Matt Ramoa made sure that the SA Schools selectors don’t forget about him with a memorable performance that saw him being named Man of the Match.

Boland’s halfback pairing of Callum van Staden and Luan Giliomee also could feel more than happy with their performances on the day.

For the Valke their wing Oregopotse Shilubane looked dangerous when he received possession.

Scorers: 

Eastern Province 26 (6) – Tries: Jamiane Dampies, Hein Terblanche. Conversions: Dominic Malgas (2). Penalties: Malgas (4). Free State 23 (16) – Try: Marno Stopforth, Jean Erasmus. Conversions: Ian van der Merwe (2). Penalties: Van der Merwe (3).

Boland 26 (19) – Tries: Callum van Staden, Brendon September, Rickey Lesch, Petri van Dyk, Conversions: Luan Giliomee (3). Valke 19 (7) – Tries: v Zaide Leigh Dippenaar, Oregopotse Shilubane, Lynghe Pretorius, Conversions: Duan du Toit (2).