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A skillful team led by a determined coach, Gyster van Schalkwyk has put in the amount of work and dedication to be able to wear the golden medals around their necks today with pride. 

The Southern Free State A team has played seven games and won six of them throughout the six-day SASHOC u18 girls national tournament and had only drawn with the same team they met with in the finals, Boland A.  

Both teams were undefeated going into the final game. Knowing that only one team would be going home with the gold, both teams put up an undeniable good fight for the win resulting in neither of the teams being able to add to the scoreboard throughout the whole game leading to penalty shootouts.

Anine Le Roux and Tanya Pieterse had been able to get the ball past Southern Free State A goalie, Joanie Taljaard appointing Boland A with two successful penalty goals whereas top goal scorer of the tournament, Taheera Augousti claimed one goal alongside Carien de Wet and Kayla Olivier against the Boland A team goalie, Lilly-Anne Theron securing the golden medal for the Southern Free State A team. 

In other games the  KZN Inland A team walked away with the bronze medal scoring one goal each from Reese Pieterse and Ella Shuttelworth against Western Province A. Despite Western Province’s best efforts to get back into the game with a goal from Mia Andrew in the fifty-seventh minute, KZN Inland A had already claimed the 2-1 victory.

And the Southern Gauteng A team secured their placing in the top five of the tournament with one goal from Juliana Million against Eastern Province A who placed sixth overall.

Results | Day 6

KZN Inland A 2 (Reese Peters, Ella Shuttelworth); Western Province A 1 (Mia Andrew) 

Northern Gauteng A 1 (Dinah Motileni); Southern Gauteng B 0.

Northern Free State 3 (Jennifer Wessels, Jani du Preez, Carli Oosthuizen); Mpumalanga A 2 (Nolizwi Mlangeni (2).

KZN Coastal A 2 (Emily Macquet, Ruby Kraus); 1 Amathole A (Michelle Barnes)

Southern Gauteng A 1 (Juliana Million); Eastern Province A 0.

Southern Free State A 0 (3) (Taheera Augousti, Carien de Wet, Kayla Olivier); Boland A 0 (2) (Anine Le Roux, Tanya Pieterse).

Final placings | SASHOC u18 Girls national tournament 

1st place – Southern Free State A
2nd place – Boland A
3rd place – KZN Inland A
4th place – Western Province A
5th place – Southern Gauteng A
6th place – Eastern Province A
7th place – KZN Coastal A
8th place – Amathole A
9th place – Northern Gauteng A
10th place – Southern Gauteng B
11th place – Northern Free State A
12th place – Mpumalanga A

Die spanne vir die 2023 VKB/Reitz Platteland Rugbyweek is gekies en maak al gereed vir die 1e Julie waneer hierdie byeenkoms vir die 24e keer sedert 1998  in die Oos-Vrystaat afskop.

Die wedstryde word regstreeks op SuperSport Schools uitgesaai – Registreer nou

Daar sal na die toernooi ‘n span gekies word wat Frankryk toe gaan toer, asook ‘n sewes-span wat Dubai toe gaan.

Die spanne:

Barbarians: 15 Johan Whitehead (Voortrekker), 14 Urban Pienaar (Goudveld), 13 Nico van Rensburg (Witteberg), 12 Teschan Meas (Welkom Gimnasium), 11 Hein Smith (Voortrekker), 10 Juan Theunissen (Voortrekker), 9 Dries Stemmet (Witteberg), 8 Daniel Meintjies (Witteberg), 7 Sakkie Britz (Witteberg), 6 Marco Grobler (Witteberg), 5 Lesego Mosikidi (Witteberg), 4 Lodie van Dyk (Goudveld), 3 Colin van der Merwe (Witteberg), 2 Danny Classen (Voortrekker), 1 Marco-Jan Pretorius (Goudveld). Reserwes: 16 Mareon Mare (Ladybrand), 17 Callum Roy (Ladybrand), 18 Heini Potgieter (Hoërskool Reitz), 19 Jason Rolfe (Hoërskool Reitz), 20 Kirsten Fourie (Witteberg,) 21 Ryan de Jager (Goudveld), 22 Tertius Loubscher (Witteberg), 23 Tyrece Britz (Goudveld). Afrigters: Jaco Ackerman, Christo van der Nest, Dolf van Rensburg.

9 Witteberg | 5 Goudveld | 4 Voortrekker | 2 Ladybrand | 2 Hoërskool Reitz | 1 Welkom Gimnasium

Griekwas: 15 Conway Williams (Namakwaland), 14 Caleb Fischer (Douglas), 13 Ashrand van Rooi (Kathu), 12 Tshiamo Tshiane (Hartswater), 11 Rihaadt Cloete (Namakwaland), 10 Jerome Davids (Hartswater), 9 Graham Basson (Aggenys), 8 SW van Heerden (Kalahari), 7 Juandre Beebee (Kalahari), 6 Pieter van der Walt (Namakwaland), 5 De-Anzo Eilers (Curro Kathu), 4 Stefan Brummer (Douglas), 3 Duan Janse van Rensburg (Hoërskool Kathu), 2 Wian Hatting (Curro Kathu), 1 Robert Blaauw (Kalahari). Reserwes: 16 Michael Lovemore (Douglas), 17 Dequin Engelbrecht (Namakwaland), 18 Duan Roodt (Hoërskool Kathu), 19 Raven Petro (Namakwaland), 20 Philip Oosthuizen (Vaalharts), 21 Driean Wiid (Hopetown), 22 Junaid Jood (Hopetown), 23 Cheslyn Jonas (Hopetown), 24 Eugene Makubedu (Postmasburg), L Hopshire (Curro Kathu). Afrigters: Erick van Schalkwyk, Anton Crouse, Grant Visser.

5 Namakwaland | 3 Douglas | 3 Hoërskool Kathu | 3 Kalahari | 3 Curro Kathu | 3 Hopetown | 2 Hartswater | 1 Aggenys

Luiperds: 15 Dirkie Mulder (Wolmaransstad), 14 Johandré van der Walt (Lichtenburg), 13 Hanco Halgryn (Vryburg), 12 Benré Pollard (Lichtenburg), 11 Linda Boyo (Vryburg), 10 Albert Joubert (Lichtenburg), 9 Herco Jansen van Vuuren (Wolmaransstad), 8 Dries Scheepers (Lichtenburg), 7 Driaan Janse van Rensburg (Vryburg), 6 DG Jacobs (Lichtenburg), 5 PW Smit (Koster), 4 Ben van Niekerk (Vryburg), 3 Tommy Scott (Lichtenburg), 2 Johan Steyn (Vryburg), 1 Cobus van der Berg (Vryburg). Reserwes: 16 Letlotlo Kadi (Zeerust), 17 Arno Fouché (Lichtenburg), 18 Marco van den Berg (Vryburg), 19 MJ Scholtemeyer (Wolmaransstad), 20 Zandré van Wyk (Stella), 21 Dundre Dempers (Lichtenburg), 22 Danus Hoffman (Wolmaransstad), 23 Zander Ackerman (Vryburg). Afrigters: Johann Crouss, Hanré Whitehorn, Jean Booyse.

8 Lichtenburg | 8 Vryburg | 4 Wolmaransstad | 1 Koster | 1 Stella | 1 Zeerust

NKZN: 15 Wandile Ndlangamandla (Ferrum), 14 Pieter Pretorius (Vryheid), 13 Esihle Zungu (Vryheid), 12 Marius Nell (Ferrum), 11 Ndumiso Ndlovu (Sarel Cilliers), 10 Wandile Xaba (Vryheid), 9 Kyle Barsdorf (Vryheid), 8 Matthew Zondagh (Ferrum), 7 AJ Snyman (Vryheid), 6 Duann Brink (Ferrum), 5 Tyler Jonck (Ferrum), 4 Sibahle Zondi (Vryheid), 3 Amukelo Mtetwa (Ferrum), 2 JP Mostert (Ferrum), 1 Coeshay Koen (Ferrum). Reserwes: 16 Swelihle Ndlovu (Ladysmith), 17 Jhoem Sabangan (Ladysmith), 18 Ayanda Mkhwananzi (Vryheid), 19 Cobus van der Westhuizen (Pionier), 20 Bandile Buthelezi (Vryheid), 21 Sipheohelo Nxumalo (Ferrum), 22 Qoqanani Nyawo (Sarel Cilliers), 23 Amukelo Nyawo (Ladysmith). Afrigters: Dan Halforty, Rudolf Scholtz, Zandré Steyn.

9 Ferrum | 8 Vryheid | 3 Ladysmith | 2 Sarel Cilliers | 1 Pionier

Oos-Vrystaat: 15 Robert Ntholi (Ficksburg), 14 Xander Human (Hoërskool Reitz), 13 Junior Nhlapo (Retief), 12 Khotso Potloane (Ficksburg), 11 Koketso Mnumzana (Paul Erasmus), 10 Tebello Kabi (Ladybrand), 9 Justin Haakonsen (Ladybrand), 8 Jehoshua de Bruyn (Hoërskool Reitz), 7 Fanie Malakoane (Retief), 6 Thato Chaka (Ficksburg), 5 Daniel Knot (Ladybrand), 4 Nathan Venter (Vrede), 3 Molibeli Theoha (Ficksburg), 2 Juandre Steenkamp (Ficksburg), 1 Adriaan Mostert (Vrede). Reserwes: 16 Letlotlo Mohale (Retief), 17 Phatela Sehlotho (New Horizon), 18 Hloni Litelu (Harrismith), 19 Kehla Sekosana (Retief), 20 Stiaan Kimmins (Vrede), 21 Janco Swart (Paul Erasmus), 22 Prince Selikane (Marquard), 23 Lebohang Nteo (Retief), 24 Siyabonga Motjale (Harrismith). Afrigters: Linda Nyembe, Tiaan Venter, Thuso Lungwana.

5 Ficksburg | 5 Retief | 3 Ladybrand | 3 Vrede | 2 Hoërskool Reitz | 2 Paul Erasmus | | 2 Harrismith | 1 New Horizon | 1 Marquard

Rooikatte: 15 Jadon de Leeuw (Midstream College), 14 Nkosi Malaza (St Albans College), 13 Raynard van Loggerenberg (Curro Hazeldean), 12 Luke Sass (St Albans College), 11 Justin Hattingh (Midstream College), 10 JJ Steenkamp (St Albans College), 9 Xander Senekal (Midstream College), 8 Patrick Weir (St Albans College), 7 Tian Pretorius (Midstream College), 6 Anru Cronje (Midstream College), 5 Christof Vermeulen (Curro Hazeldean), 4 Ian Tarr (Heronbridge), 3 Deon le Roux (Midstream College), 2 Mashile Matsebatlela (Curro Hazeldean), 1 Mika Lube (Midstream College). Reserwes: 16 Luke Webber (St Albans College), 17 Cody Peterson (St Albans College), 18 Morné du Plessis (Heronbridge), 19 Liam Brand (Heronbridge), 20 Jacques Vos (Midstream College), 21 Zander Wessels (Heronbridge), 22 Pheme Molao (Curro Hazeldean), 23 Thabang Rammabi (Midstream College), 24 Samu Mojela (Curro Hazeldean). Afrigters: Muller van der Nest, Jean du Plooy, Jacques van der Merwe.

9 Midstream College | 6 St Albans College | 5 Curro Hazeldean | 4 Heronbridge

Pumas: 15 Delron Cyster (Standerton), 14 Lux Bulala (Kanonkop), 13 Enrique van der Merwe (Curro Nelspruit), 12 Minenhle Mtsweni (Kanonkop), 11 Lehleogonolo Seerane (Generaal Hetrzog), 10 Sandile Motha (Standerton), 9 Rorisang Mkuse (Kanonkop), 8 Hermanus Robberts (Curro Nelspruit), 7 Lyle Johst (Oosterland), 6 Bonolo Mphahlele (Curro Nelspruit), 5 Dullon Venter (Hoogenhout), 4 Qwami Thwala (Laeveld), 3 Henco Koekemoer (Morgenson), 2 Steflin van den Heever (Bergvlam), 1 Walt Stander (Curro Nelspruit). Reserwes: 16 Jaden Brytenbach (Standerton), 17 Olwami Skhosana (Hoogenhout), 18 Bradley Jansen (Barberton), 19 Dian Snyman (Kanonkop), 20 Juandre de Beer (Barberton), 21 Zwakele Mthethwa (Hendrina), 22 Taku Tanderera (Curro Nelspruit), 23 Thabiso Sekwane (Curro Nelspruit). Afrigters: Dirkie Strydom, Burnie Blunden, Pierre van Blerk.

6 Curro Nelspruit | 4 Kanonkop | 3 Standerton | 2 Hoogenhout | 2 Barberton | 1 Generaal Hertzog | 1 Oosterland | 1 Laeveld | 1 Morgenson | 1 Bergvlam | 1 Hendrina

Sandveld: 15 AC Greyling (Bultfontein), 14 JF Reyneke (Wilgerivier), 13 Kanalello Mabelle (Wessel Maree), 12 Abrie van Zyl (Hoopstad), 11 Kamohelo Mokotso (HTS Welkom), 10 Alex du Pisani (Bothaville), 9 Johan Jordaan (Salomon), 8 Janru Struwig (Bultfontein), 7 Ruan Meyer (Wilgerivier), 6 JD van den Berg (Wilgerivier), 5 Deon Steyn (Bultfontein), 4 Braam Madden (Bultfontein), 3 Johan Strauss (Sandveld), 2 Werbrandt Swart (Bultfontein), 1 Gerhart Venter (Wilgerivier). Reserwes: 16 Keke Labina (HTS Welkom), 17 Austin Duka (Riebeeckstaad), 18 Brandon Baker (Henneman), 19 Eduan Janse van Rensburg (Bultfontein), 20 Jean-Pierre Prinsloo (Wilgerivier), 21 Thabang Nyaredi (Winburg), 22 Marnus Swart (Wilgerivier), 23 Abuobacar Gaye (Bultfontein). Afrigters: Hennie Meyer, Rohan Kruger, Morkel Terblanché.

7 Bultfontein | 6 Wilgerivier | 2 HTS Welkom | 1 Wessel Maree | 1 Hoopstad | 1 Bothaville | 1 Salomon | 1 Sandveld | 1 Henneman | 1 Windburg | 1 Riebeeckstad

SKZN: 15 Aphiwe Khuzwayo (Kingsway), 14 Dale Maligan (Suid-Natal), 13 Marthinus Fritz (Suid-Natal), 12 Jaydon Matthews (Kingsway), 11 Lodewyk Marais (Suid-Natal), 10 Eben Botes (Suid-Natal), 9 Lathi-Tha Fikeni (Kingsway), 8 Chaz Young (South City), 7 Christopher Cronje (Kuswag), 6 Andre Jacobs (Kuswag), 5 Tiaan le Roux (Kingsway), 4 Allan Haai (Suid-Natal), 3 Bongokuhle Nyenjana (King Edward), 2 Mpilo Zondo (Amansimtoti), 1 Stefan Meyer (Suid-Natal). Reserwes: 16 Pieter van Romburgh (Kuswag), 17 Declan Buss (St Patricks), 18 LangeLihle Vezi (Kingsway), 19 Ozanakho Ndzuma (Port Shepstone), 20 Alex Gunter (Kuswag), 21 Morne Earl (Suid-Natal), 22 Banele Nombika (Kingsway), 23 Jethro Alexandre (Scottburgh). Afrigters: Mark Cameron, Ferdi Oosthuizen, Muzombwe Rashidi.

7 Suid-Natal | 6 Kingsway | 4 Kuswag | 1 South City | 1 King Edward | 1 Amanzimtoti | 1 St Patricks | 1 Port Shepstone | 1 Scottburgh

Vrystaat Kiewiete: 15 Mlungisi Lepesa (St Andrew’s), 14 Fanie van Heerden (Brandfort), 13 Franco de Klerk (Brandfort), 12 Sterling Batties (Hendrik Potgieter), 11 Tumi Pholoane (Hendrik Potgieter), 10 Henré Smith (Brandfort), 9 Reinieco Nel (Zastron), 8 Wehan Strydom (Brandfort), 7 Frans Both (Zastron), 6 Ruan Kruger (Sand du Plessis), 5 JC Venter (Brandfort), 4 Cor Louwrens (Brandfort), 3 Tiaan Saayman (President Steyn), 2 Janco Roberts (Hendrik Potgieter), 1 Jan-Adrian Grobler (Zastron). Reserwes: 16 Attie Melato (Hendrik Potgieter), 17 Lefa Maino (Hoërskool Bloemfontein), 18 Mosa Dipoko (Hoërskool Bloemfontein), 19 Nyiko Thai (Hoërskool Bloemfontein), 20 Divan Greyling (President Steyn), 22 Antonio Louw (President Steyn), 23 Je-andré Blaauw (Sand du Plessis), 24 Raymond Vers (President Steyn). Afrigters: Leon Goosen, Drikus Kotze, Flippie Slabbert.

6 Brandfort | 4 Hendrik Potgieter | 4 Zastron | 4 Pesident Steyn | 3 Hoërskool Bloemfontein | 2 Sand du Plessis | 1 St Andrew’s 

Kiewiete Platteland: 15 Licha Leballo (Zastron), 14 Denver Jacobs (Reddersburg), 13 Mawethu Magudela (Zastron), 12 Keanu Kretzman (President Steyn), 11 Kamo Masipoane (Zastron), 10 Jandie van Niekerk (Reddersburg), 9 Quinton Fillis (Reddersburg), 8 Unati Ngeyake (Reddersburg), 7 Bin Laden Macholo (Reddersburg), 6 Altus Coetzee (Brandfort), 5 Cecil Lee (Brandfort), 4 Markus Allerston (Zastron), 3 Lian Naude (Brandfort), 2 CJ Bouwer (Zastron), 1 Divan Bekker (President Steyn). Reserwes: 16 Hennie Pretorius (President Steyn), 17 Pieter Jacobs (Reddersburg), 18 Dewan de Bruyn (President Steyn), 19 Kamo Elesia (Zastron), 20 Breysten Viljoen (President Steyn), 21 JW Mortlock (Reddersburg), 22 Asive Diba (Zastron), 23 WG Rautenbach (Zastron), 24 Jay Cee Knoetzee (Zastron). Afrigters: Riaan Coetzee, Kobus du Plessis, Anele Bayo, Juan Beukes.

9 Zastron | 7 Reddersburg | 5 President Steyn | 3 Brandfort 

Zululand: 15 Ruhandre van Heerden (Richardsbaai), 14 Simangaliso Khumalo (Curro Salt Rock), 13 Josias van Schalkwyk (Ashton College), 12 Damian van As (Curro Salt Rock), 11 Likhwa Nxumalo (Eshowe), 10 Thailen von Alleman (Curro Salt Rock), 9 Matthew Engelbrecht (Eshowe), 8 Emile Erasmus (Richardsbaai), 7 Cameron Dadge (Richardsbaai), 6 DK Dlamini (Richardsbaai), 5 Elijah Botha (Ashton College), 4 Cole Kinsey (Felixton College), 3 Zbongokuhle Mabena (Eshowe), 2 Zander van Wyngaardt (Grantleigh), 1 Asanda Xulu (Felixton College). Reserwes: 16 Kevin Petry (Ashton Ballito), 17 Sibonga Ngobese (Grantleigh), 18 Elijah Franklin (Richardsbaai), 19 Kyle Hulley (Grantleigh), 20 Ruben Elliot (Curro Salt Rock), 21 James Builherme (Curro Salt Rock), 22 Meilin Viljoen (Ashton College), 23 Caleb Picton (Felixton College). Afrigters: Ruan de Jager, Shaun Blignaut, Damian Varney.

5 Richardsbaai | 5 Curro Salt Rock | 3 Ashton College | 3 Eshowe | 3 Felixton College | 3 Grantleigh | 1 Ashton Ballito

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Scorers:

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

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

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

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

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

Union High 66 – TBC Free State Development 0.

 

The Junior Springboks fell short against Italy Under-20 by 34-26 (half-time 17-12) as the visitors registered a bonus-point victory in their World Rugby U20 Championship clash at Paarl Gimnasium on Thursday.

The Junior Boks can take heart from the fact that they fought back from a 17-point deficit – and secured a four-try bonus point in the process, and while they didn’t do enough to win the game, they remained in contention for the semi-finals.

The wet and heavy underfoot conditions at the Paarl Gymnasium sport fields proved a challenge for both sets of players. The Junior Boks were dealt a couple of early setbacks, with halfbacks Neil le Roux and Sam Francis forced to leave the field with serious injuries before half-time.

Prop Mawande Mdanda received a yellow card for a cynical offence in the 10th minute, and Italy were awarded a penalty try. The Italians made their one-man advantage count, adding a further try through hooker Nicholas Gasperini, as well as a conversion and a penalty goal through Simone Brisighella.

The hosts rallied as half-time approached. The decision to turn down a shot at goal was vindicated when centre Katlego Letebele crashed over the tryline in the 31st minute.

Another powerful maul set the platform for South Africa’s second try. Replacement scrumhalf Imad Khan found Jurenzo Julius with a pinpoint cross kick, and the winger did well to field the ball in the driving rain. Khan’s conversion reduced the deficit to five points.

Italy struck first in the second stanza to regain control of the contest. Replacement prop Marcos Francesco Gallorini powered through the defence, and Brisighella’s conversion took the Azzurri 12 points clear. Moments later, another surge by Gallorini resulted in Italy’s fourth try.

Just as it appeared as if the game might slip away from the hosts, centre Damian Markus ran the length of the field to score a morale-boosting try. A boisterous local crowd rose as one to celebrate the incredible effort.

The crowd was on its feet again in the 61st minute, after hooker Juann Else broke through the Italian defence to score his side’s fourth try. Khan’s conversion reduced the deficit to five points.

Italy had the final say, though, with replacement Giovanni Sante kicking a late penalty goal to secure the result for his side.

The Junior Boks will face Argentina in their final pool fixture at Athlone Stadium on 4 July.

Scorers:

Italy 34 (17) – Tries: Marcos Francesco Gallorini (2), Nicholas Gasperini, Penalty Try. Conversions: Simone Brisighella (3). Penalties: Brisighella, Giovanni Sante. Junior Springboks 26 (12) – Tries: Katlego Letebele, Jurenzo Julius, Damian Markus, Juann Else. Conversions: Imad Khan (3).

After the closure of Day Five, the top spot for the 2023 SASHOC u18 tournament will be contested for by Southern Gauteng A and Western Province A.

Both teams share 18 points on the log going into the final, separated only by a goal difference of two.

Western Province having the upper hand. They are set to face each other at 13:15 on Friday at the University of the Free State Astro Field. 

With Southern Gauteng A beating KZN Coastals A 4-3 in a shootout after the full-time score of 1-1 (Jaydon Brooker), they will progress into the final against Western Province A.

Thus far, Southern Gauteng A have proven themselves a formidable force by remaining at the top of the log throughout the tournament.

Jaydon Brooker, the star scorer of the tournament, upheld Southern Gauteng A’s lead for much of the competition by being the top goal scorer for the five days of the SASHOC tournament (ten goals in total).  Under the coaching of Anthony Woodhouse and Gavin Jelley, Southern Gauteng A will want to prove that their lead has not been a fluke. 

Their opponents, Western Province A, will be pulling out all the stops. On Day Five, they overcame their Western Cape rivals, Boland A 4-2 (Michael Royden-Turner (2), Caleb Ferreira, Michael Cowen) to qualify for the finals.

Michael Cowen confidently caught up to Brooker at the end of Day Four but was overtaken by Roan van Rensburg of Southern Free State A today, despite his goal against Boland. Bryce West and Devin Stanton are hopeful to continue their winning streak for Western Province A as coaching staff. 

The Southern Gauteng A team for the finals include: 

Tshedza Rasalanavho (GK), Neo Chimanyi, Liam Billet, Tom Chalmers, Diahn Alberts-Flynn, Matthew Robinson, Jaydon Brooker (C), Matt Eichweber, Miguel de Jesus, Boipelo Koloti, Taine Tanner, Devin Wax, Avela Sibisi, Keabetswe Seome, Nic Karisson, Joshua Renders (GK). 

They will be going up against the Western Province A line-up of: 

Rogan Stirk (GK), Liam Haupt, Michael Cowen (C), Luca Miller, Caleb Ferreira, Michael Royden-Turner, Josh Opperman, Ozzair Pillai, Nathan Msakiwe, Iviwe Sibanda, Dayle Gertson, James Grieve, Joshua Mettler, Lee Ethan, Dean Carrick, Raif Duncan. 

Results Day 5

KZN Inland A 1 (Akha Mda); Northern Gauteng A 0.

Western Province B 3 (Keegan Rodgers (2), Wayne Mandabva); KZN Coastals B 2 (Mitchell Tillard, Dylan Wigget).

Southern Free State A 3 (Phenyo Selogiwe, Roan van Rensburg (2)); Eastern Province A 2 (Ben Ristow, Ben Peens).

Southern Gauteng A 1 (1) (Jaydon Brooker); KZN Coastals A 1(3) (Lumi Matwele).

Amathole A 3 (Lucan Hykes (2), Daniel Sirgel); KZN Inland B 0.

Western Province A 4 (Michael Royden-Turner (2), Michael Cowen, Caleb Ferreira); Boland A 2 (Ethan Christiaans, Rueben Sendzul).

 

Taheera Augousti, Southern Free State player has had her name at the top of the leaderboard from day one of the tournament with a skillful five goals scored over the course of five days, now sharing with two other players, Emily Wilson (KZN Inland A) and Gabriella Tait (Eastern Province A).  

Boland A took on KZN Inland A in the battle for the first spot in tomorrows final. Even though the first goal was scored by KZN Inland A player, Khanya Bekizulu, the Boland A team had come back in the third and fourth quarter of the game reclaiming their territory and scored three convincing goals.

Two of which were scored from penalty corners where Justine Basson and Tanya Pieterse both scored one goal each. Pieterse added the last goal to the scoreboard in the fifty-ninth minute of the game when scoring from a penalty stroke resulting in a 3-1 defeat and putting her right behind Augousti with a total of four goals overall. 

In other games the Eastern Province A team beat Amathole A 3-1 with one goal each from Nuriyah Bell, Iman Bonnasse and one from Gabriella Tait placing her alongside Augousti on the top of the individual goal scorer leaderboard.

And as the Norths clash Northern Gauteng A players Anlu Harmse and Sande Mbatsha each claimed one goal in their 2-0 win against Northern Free State A.

In tomorrows program supporters and players will gather alongside UFS Field 1 to watch the Boland A and Southern Free State A teams go head to head and show case their talents and skill in their battle for the golden medal, the game will kick off at 11:50. 

Results | Day 5

Eastern Province 3 (Gabriella Tait, Nuriyah Bell, Iman Bonnasse); Amathole A 1 (Jacquin Davids).

Southern Gauteng A 1 (Juliana Million); KZN Coastal A 0.

Northern Gauteng A 2 (Anlu Harmse, Sande Mbatsha) Northern Free State A 0.

Boland A 3 (Justine Basson, Tanya Pieterse[2]); KZN Inland A 1 (Khanya Bekizulu).

Southern Gauteng B 2 (Amy Smith, Ashlee Howard); Mpumalanga 0.

Southern Free State A 1 (Carien de Wet); Western Province A 0

Fixtures | Day 6 

09:00 – Southern Gauteng B vs Northern Gauteng A (Position 9&10)
09:00 – KZN Inland vs Western Province A (Position 3&4)
10:10 – Mpumalanga A vs Northern Free State A (Position 11&12)
10:25 – KZN Coastal A vs Amathole A (Position 7&8)
11:50 – Boland A vs Southern Free State A (Final)
11:50 – Southern Gauteng A vs Eastern Province A (Position 5&6)

Western Province will face Boland in the main match of the annual Craven Week for Primary Schools in Pietermaritzburg. These two sides will face each other on Friday at 12:40 on Maritzburg College’s main field, Goldstones.

Western Province booked their spot in the main match with a victory of 24-15 over the Blue Bulls on the third day of this prestigious tournament. The Craven Week for u13 players started back in 1972 when the inaugural tournament was hosted in Potchefstroom.

Boland defeated the hosts, the Sharks, by 27-10 to keep their unbeaten status as well as setup a date with their neighbours for the final showdown. Boland’s left winger, Gesham Pietersen, scored a brace of tries against Sharks.

Johann Steyn and Le Roux Badenhorst was in a class of their own as they helped the Leopards to take Border Country Districts apart by 95-5. Between the two of them they scored 70 of their side’s points.

Steyn, at outside centre, scored an unbelievable seven tries in the match. Flyhalf, Badenhorst, completed a hat-trick of tries as well as converting ten of his side’s 15 tries for a personal tally of 35 points.

Free State’s outside centre, Tiaan Nel, was also in superb form as he played an intrumental role in his side’s 36-31 victory over the Limpopo Blue Bulls. Nel scored four tries and also converted two tries to contribute 24 points to his side score.

Free State’s fullback, Readon Williams, also scored a brace of tries as Free State fought back in the second half after trailing by 12-19 at half-time.

Scorers: 

Western Province 24 (12) – Tries: Wynand Calitz, Rulo Barnard, Gabriel Small, Raa’id Davids. Conversions: King-Carter Stoffels (2). Blue Bulls 15 (5) – Tries: Jayden Els, Jayden Morris, Semakaleng Mengoae.

Boland 27 (15) – Tries: Gesham Pietersen (2), Arno Hollenbach, Tristan Gallant. Conversions: Eli van Willingh (2). Penalty: Van Willingh. Sharks 10 (0) – Tries: Jordan Raynard, Trav Asbury.

Golden Lions 7 (0) – Try: Ryan Ax. Conversion: Jayden Barker. South Western Districts 7 (7) – Try: Vanqa Nkosinathi. Conversion: Zach Olivier.

Free State 36 (12) – Tries: Tiaan Nel (4), Readon Williams. Conversions: Nel (2), Wiahn Edeling. Limpopo Blue Bulls 31 (19) – Tries: Phenyo Chisi (2), Arno Richards, Thuto Ngoepe, Lodrian Steyn. Conversions: Stefan Windell (3).

Leopards 95 (40) – Tries: Johann Steyn (7), Le Roux Badenhorst (3), Ruben Broderick, Nathan van Staden, Sifiso Nomandla, Thuto Senkwane, Lucky Vuma. Conversions: Badenhorst (10). Border Country Districts 5 (5) – Try: Kungawo Gabula.

Griqualand West 26 (7) – Tries: Johannes Beukes (2), Lee-Marquin Cronje, Nico Selborne. Conversions: Cronje (3). Eastern Province 24 (17) – Tries: Singa Gobinca, Ethan Constable, Alizwa Mankayi, Joze Valentine. Conversions: Corra Fourie (2).

Pumas 10 (10) – Try: Michael Ronquest. Conversion: Ronquest. Penalty: Loghan de Beer. Border 7 (7) – Try: Penalty Try.

Valke 24 (17) – Tries: Dylan Badenhorst-Schnetler, Luan Oosthuizen, Cullen Labuschagne. Conversions: Bokang Mabina (2), Oosthuizen. Penalty: Mabina. Griffons 7 (0) – Try: Camagu Gqadu. Conversion: Juan Erwee.

Zimbabwe 24 (12) – Tries: Tafara Denga (2), David Dombojena, Kwanza Warambwa. Conversions: Dylan Meikle, Dombojena. Namibia 13 (3) – Tries: Keanan Abraham, Stefan Kruger. Penalty: Leroy Basson.

 

The Blue Bulls beat Free State in the final match of the U16 Grant Khomo Week at Hoër Landbouskool Boland in the Western Cape.

Free State went into Day Three of the tournament with an unbeaten record and were favourites to add a third win to their tally.  They led 12-8 at half-time, before the Bulls fought back to secure a 20-12 victory.

Earlier on Day Three, Eastern Province secured their third-consecutive win of the tournament when they edged Boland 15-13. Flyhalf Travis Pheiffer slotted five penalties to guide the Eastern Cape side to victory.

The Western Province XV scored four tries in their 25-8 win over the Sharks on Thursday to maintain their unbeaten record in the competition.

WP XV centre Markus Miller finished as the tournament’s leading point-scorer (35).

U16 Grant Khomo Week Results – Day Three:

South Western Districts 19 (14), Pumas 24 (7)
Limpopo Blue Bulls 29 (5), v Zimbabwe 16 (6)
Border Country Districts 7 (0), Free State XV 28 (21)
Boland 13 (3), Eastern Province 15 (6)
Griquas 23 (7), Namibia 0 (0)
Griffons 0 (0), Valke 6 (3)
Western Province XV 25 (15), v Sharks 8 (0)
Leopards 12 (0) Border 12 (5)
Western Province 10 (3), Golden Lions 5 (0)
Free State 12 (12), Blue Bulls 20 (8)

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

The scorers:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Scorers:

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

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

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