Blog

Day 1

Leopards 36 (12) – Tries: Francwa Ueckermann, WJ Herbst, Iniel Schönfeld. Conversions: MC Venter (3). Penalty: MC Venter (5). Namibia 29 (17) – Tries: JC Winckler, Daniel Arries, Ethan Beukes, Leon Ferris. Conversions: Chris Arries (3). Penalty: Arries.

Boland 16 (6) – Try: Chad Kleinsmidt. Conversion: Kleinsmidt. Penalties: Schalk Hugo (3). Griqualand West 12 (9) – Penalties: Granville Adams (4).

Lions 29 (16) – Tries: Frans van Wyk, Jako van der Walt, Chris Massyn. Conversion: Jako van der Walt. Penalties: Van der Walt (3), Innocent Radebe. Border 14 (14) – Try: Lilitha Jonas. Penalties: Akhona Sihunu (3).

KwaZulu-Natal 48 (36) – Tries: Bruce Arnott (2), Jesse Kriel (2), Daniel du Preez, Justin Moberley, Cornelis Vermaak. Conversions: Robert Anderson (5). Penalty: Anderson. Free State 24 (3) – Tries: Edward Schmidt, Othello Sebotsa, EW Viljoen. Conversions: Pieter Jordaan (3). Penalty: Jordaan.

Eastern Province 41 (24) – Tries: Sergeal Petersen (2), Aidon Davis, Selvyn Davids, Matthew Moore. Conversions: Ernst Stapelberg (5). Penalties: Stapelberg (2). Valke 17 (10) – Tries: Ettienne Oosthuizen, Leon Potgieter. Conversions: Ruan Potgieter (2). Penalty: Potgieter.

Day 2 

Zimbabwe 31 (7) – Tries: Shepherd Mhembere (2), Dale Gibbons, Richard Watson, Brendon Mandivenga. Conversions: Bastien Mendelsohn (3). Border Country Districts 9 (0) – Penalties: Lwazi Maqwelana (3).

Eastern Province 28 (11) – Tries: Deon Ferreira, CJ Lombard, Renaldo Meyer. Conversions: Jason Vers (2). Penalties: James Moore (2), Vers. Griqualand West Country Districts 27 (15) – Tries: Gavian Cloete, Jacobus Conradie, Adriaan Uys, Hanro Visagie. Conversions: Dolf Burden (2). Penalty: Burden.

South Western Districts 46 (17) – Tries: Marthinus Vermeulen (2), Duhan van der Merwe (2), Johannes Breiers, Geor Malan, Ganfried May. Conversions: Warrick Gelant (4). Penalty: Gelant. Limpopo Blue Bulls 18 (13) – Tries: Marcel Steyn, Sipho Siboza. Conversion: Steyn. Penalties: Steyn (2).

Pumas 48 (24) – Tries: Willandré Kotzenberg (2), Donovan Gissing (2), Wygie Johnstone, Vincent Sibiya. Conversions: Brandon Thompson (5), Kobus Wolmarans. Penalties: Thompson (2). Griffons 24 (5) – Tries: Ethan Williams, André Janse van Vuuren, David Tippens, Shaun Reynolds. Conversions: Francois van Biljon (2).

Blue Bulls 47 (26) – Tries: Marcus Kleinbooi (2), Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Pierre Schoeman, Dayan van der Westhuizen, Jurie Linde, Jaco Hayward. Conversions: Ryno Eksteen (6). Western Province 27 (27) – Tries: Rikus Bothma, Chad Solomon, Jason Worral. Conversions: Handré Pollard (3). Penalties: Pollard (2).

Day 3

Namibia 29 (14) – Tries: Shareave Titus, Leon Feris, Justin Newman, Dian Wiese. Conversions: Chris Arries (3). Penalty: Arries. Griqualand West 15 (8) – Tries: Lehan Muller, Dimitrio Tieties. Conversion: Tieties. Penalty: Tieties.

Valke 38 (24) – Tries: Ruan Potgieter (2), Sipho Nhleko, Leon Potgieter, JP du Preez, Etienne Oosthuizen. Conversions: Potgieter (4). Leopards 5 (5) – Try: Thomas Dreyer.

Free State 14 (14) – Tries: Luke Cyster, Olwethu Ndakisa. Conversions: Pieter Jordaan (2). Border 9 (3) – Penalties: Akhona Sihunu (2), Aubrey Ferreira.

Eastern Province 22 (10) – Tries: Ray Williams, Sergeal Petersen, Aidon Davis. Conversions: Ernst Stapelberg (2). Penalty: Stapelberg. Boland 13 (10) – Try: Anzo Stubbs. Conversion: Colin Willemse. Penalties: Willemse, Corné Sharp.

Lions 17 (10) – Tries: Malcolm Marx, Clinton Theron. Conversions: Jako van der Walt (2). Penalty: Van der Walt. KwaZulu-Natal 8 (8) – Try: Jesse Kriel. Penalty: Robert Anderson.

Day 4

Griqualand West Country Districts 38 (19) – Tries: Jasper Wiese (3), Johannes Lenge, Pieter Lategan, Shaun Crause. Conversions: Dolf Burden (4). Border Country Districts 5 (5) – Try: Sihle Gontshi.
Limpopo Blue Bulls 68 (21) – Tries: Christopher Durow, André Jordaan, Righardt Kachelhoffer, Matjikinyane Molapo, Trevor Nkwamba, Johannes Smit, Marcel Scholtz, Fred van Niekerk, Andries Welgemoed, Floyd Ndlovu. Conversions: Scholtz (5), James Vorster (4). Zimbabwe 21 (7) – Tries: Jason Bydawell (2), Lance Chikodzi. Conversions: Rukudzo Gona (2), Brendon Mandivenga.
Griffons 33 (19) – Tries: David Tippens (2), Dillon Afrika, Sechaba Matsoele. Conversions: Francois van Biljon (2). Penalties: Van Biljon (3). Eastern Province Country Districts 28 (6) – Tries: Emelio Koeberg, Glen van Pletzen, Tshepo Mabitsela, Chris Steyn. Conversion: Jason Vers. Penalties: Vers (2).
Western Province 39 (15) – Tries: Wesley Adonis, Ramone Samuels, Rikus Bothma, Morné Nortjé, Jason Worral, Grant Hermanus. Conversions: Jason Worral (3). Penalty: Worral. South Western Districts 33 (15) – Tries: Duhan van der Merwe (2), Dewald Human (2), Leighton Eksteen. Conversions: Warrick Gelant (3), Human.
Blue Bulls 36 (24) – Tries: Johan Bannink (2), Ryno Eksteen, George-Lee Erasmus, Marquit September. Conversions: Eksteen (4). Penalty: Eksteen. Pumas 10 (3) – Try: Willandré Kotzenberg. Conversion: Brandon Thomson. Penalty: Thomson.

Day 5

Blue Bulls 47 (10) – Tries: Rohan Janse van Rensburg (2), Jaco Hayward, Jurie Linde, Thabo Mabuza, Marquit September, Steven Meiring. Conversions: Ryno Eksteen (3). Penalties: Eksteen (2). Lions 0.

South Western Districts 20 (13) – Tries: Jean-Pierre Coetzee, Jurgens Schoeman, Marthinus Oosthuizen. Conversion: Warrick Gelant. Penalty: Gelant. Boland 10 (7) – Try: Wilbur Boonzaaier. Conversion: Colin Willemse. Penalty: Willemse.

Namibia 28 (7) – Tries: Divan Visser (2), Wian Conradie, Leon Feris. Conversions: Chris Arries (3), Visser. Zimbabwe 7 (0) – Try: Nicholas Burnett. Conversion: Rukudzo Gona.

Western Province 29 (17) – Tries: Jason Worral (2), Dennis Cox (2), Pieter Schoonraad. Conversions: Jean-Luc du Plessis (2). Pumas 14 (7) – Tries: Wilmar Arnoldi, Ivan Gouws. Conversions: Brandon Thomson (2).

Limpopo Blue Bulls 20 (10) – Tries: Grant Pinto, Viljoen Dreyer, Matjikinyane Molapo. Conversion: Marcel Steyn. Penalty: Steyn. Border 7 (0) – Try: Somila Jho. Conversion: Akhona Sihunu.

Eastern Province 27 (6) – Tries: Ray Williams, Sergeal Petersen, Bart le Roux. Conversions: Ernst Stapelberg (3). Penalties: Stapelberg (2). KwaZulu-Natal 24 (12) – Tries: Joshua Moon (2). Conversion: Robert Anderson. Penalties: Anderson (4).

Free State 30 (13) – Tries: Ruan Kramer, Olwetha Ndakisa, Marius Louw, Stephan Janse van Rensburg. Conversions: Jordaan (2). Penalties: Jordaan (2). Valke 5 (5) – Try: Anton Viljoen.

Griffons 36 (24) – Tries: Shaun Reynolds, Crause Becker, Henco van der Westhuizen, Jonick Schoeman, Francois van Biljon, Reinhardt Snyman. Conversions: Van Biljon (3). Griqualand West Country Districts 5 (5) – Tries: Gavian Cloete.

Griqualand West Country Districts 55 (31) – Tries: Gilbert Chalmers (2), Lehan Muller (2), Xander Jonck, Jan-Hendrik van der Linde, Hillford Clarke, Len le Roux, Dimitrio Tieties. Doelskoppe: Tieties (5). Griqualand West Country Districts 0.

 

Following a disappointing performance in the recently concluded Youth One-Day International (ODI) series against Pakistan, the Coca-Cola South Africa under-19s’ head coach, Lawrence Mahatlane, and captain Bryce Parsons have reflected on where things went wrong.

The home side suffered a seven-nil series defeat against the sub-continent outfit in Chatsworth and Pietermaritzburg between 22 June – 07 July

Mahatlane, obviously disappointed with the results, gave credit to the opposition for their success and explained where the difference was between the two sides.

“Firstly, congratulations to Pakistan,” he began, during the post-match interviews on Sunday. “They are well-deserved victors. They really played good cricket throughout the seven matches and won all the important moments. From our side, very disappointing. I think we had opportunities in at least three of the matches, but we just never took them.”

Parsons, who led the team for the first time as the newly appointed captain, echoed his coaches’ comments, adding: “Seven-nil is obviously really tough for us. Coming into the series, we were confident and had good preparation.

“All our players felt good in the pre-series nets, so going down seven-nil is really tough for us (to take),” he continued.

Despite the results, the series provided a platform for individuals to stake their claims for a spot in the upcoming 2020 ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa. No player took advantage of that more than Jonathan Bird. The tall left-hander ended the series as the top run-scorer with 356 runs thanks to a half-century and back-to-back hundreds in the fifth and sixth matches.

Mahatlane singled out Bird’s performance while highlighting the gap in performance between him and the rest of the batsmen as a concern. He also mentioned Lifa Ntanzi, who was in a three-way split at the top of the SA under-19s’ wicket-takers list alongside Gerald Coetzee and Imraan Philander with seven wickets each.

“Jonathan Bird was the top run-scorer of the tournament and the gap between him and the rest of the guys was disappointing. We needed guys to play around him and make sure they were part of the partnerships with him,” Mahatlane added.

“From the bowling point of view, I thought we again had moments. Lifa was our top wicket-taker but unfortunately got injured in the last game just before bowling. We’ve just missed those crucial opportunities.

“If we had taken those, we could have been talking a different story,” he said.

Parsons also mentioned players that impressed him during the 24-day tour that included a week-long training camp. The skipper wants his players to take heed of the lessons that the tour presented to find the consistency that will turn the results around ahead of the World Cup.

“All these games are preparation for us for the World Cup in 2020, so we got a lot of learnings from it. There were key performances from Bird, Achille Cloete and Coetzee. We just need to bring it all together and take it forward into the World Cup,” Parsons added.

While some players made their mark through promising displays, there were others who let themselves down and Mahatlane will now provide opportunities to other youngsters as he continues to fine-tune his plans for the global showpiece.

“I was excited by a few guys. A few players really put their hands up, but a few guys were very disappointing and this will create opportunities for other guys, as we’ve got quite a bit of cricket coming after a 10-week break.

“Hopefully we can settle on a few combinations and really be competitive against India in December in preparation for that World Cup,” Mahatlane concluded.

The SA under-19s next face India in a three-match Youth ODI series in East London in December before taking on Zimbabwe, New Zealand and India in a quadrangular in Durban in January.

Coca-Cola South Africa U19 squad against Pakistan:

Bryce Parsons (captain, Gauteng), Luke Beaufort (Eastern Province), Jonathan Bird (Western Province), Achille Cloete (Boland), Gerald Coetzee (Free State), Khanya Cotani (North West), Micheal Copeland (Gauteng), Andrew Louw (Free State), Heinrigh Pieterse (Gauteng), Levert Manje (Gauteng), Lifa Ntanzi (KZN Coastal), Imraan Philander (Western Province), Siya Plaatjie (Western Province), Ruan Terblanche (Boland), Nonelela Yikha (Border).

Suid-Afrika se voorste sewesskool, Grey-kollege, het nog ‘n veer in hul hoed na hy as kampioen van die Wêreld Jeugfees se toernooi in Kalifornië, Los Angeles verlede week gekroon is.

Die span van die Rosestad het nie sy gelyke in Amerika gehad nie. Hy het die Gazelle-span ook van Suid-Afrika met 40-0 ‘n drag slae in die eindstryd toegedien om die kroon te dra. 

Grey-kollege se sewespan het verlede jaar albei die nasionale titels wat op die spel was verower. Hy het tydens Skolesewes Kampioenskap op Pirates in Johannesburg vir die Hoërskool Noord-Kaap van Kimberley (35-10) in die eindstryd geklop om die eerste houer van die titel te word. 

Grey het ook die Twizza Hoërskole Sewesreeks se Kampioen van Kampioene-toernooi se kroon gedra na hy die Hoër Jongenskool Paarl met 21-17 in die eindstryd verslaan het. 

Grey-kollege het in Amerika sy plek in die eindstryd met ‘n klinkende sege van 36-5 oor die Harlequins All-Stars van Suid-Afrika bespreek. 

Grey het op die eerste dag van die toernooi in drie poelwedstryde vir Harlequins All-Stars (26-20), die Warriors (54-0) en Hawaiian Gardens (43-0) verslaan. Die span van Bloemfontein se taaiste teenstand gedurende die toernooi was sy eerste wedstryd teen Harlequins. Die kampioen het in die halfeindstryd gewys dat vlugflouheid dalk iets hiermee te doen gehad het. 

Op die tweede dag van die toernooi was daar geen teken van vlugflouheid nie en het Grey vir die Rangers (47-7), die Amerikaanse Skolespan (49-7) en die Rhino-akademie van Amerika (59-0) uit die pad gevee.

In Grey se geledere vir die toernooi in Amerka was spelers soos Marcell Muller, Joubert Schoeman, Riaan Brits en JD Odendaal wat waarskynlik die Vrystaatse Cravenweek-span met hul teenwoordigheid kon versterk. Die begaafde Janco Cloete sou ook in aksie op die toernooi gewees het, maar sy pa, Jaco Cloete, is tragies in ‘n motorongeluk kort voor die span se vertrek oorlede.

[powr-comments id=”225a7bb6_1562575769698″]

DHL Western Province showed their class in the SA Rugby Academy Week on Saturday to emerge as the top side in the tournament for the second year in a row as they defeated Border 45-17 in the final match.

The victory saw them finish the tournament as one of four unbeaten sides, along with the Phakisa Pumas CD, the Limpopo Blue Bulls and the Valke.
The tournament once again delivered on the excitement factor, with 392 tries and 2609 points being scored over the 42 games in five days.

Both DHL Western Province and Border entered the closing match of the competition unbeaten, but a seven-try romp by the Capetonians saw them outclass the East London outfit 45-17.

The first half was hard fought, with DHL Western Province taking a narrow 12-10 lead, but they moved into a higher gear in the second half, with Luke Burger (winger) and Canan Moodie (centre) each scoring braces, while Jandre Burger (flyhalf) had a good day with the boot, slotting over five conversions.

The Valke were in control of their clash against the Free State Cheetahs, which saw them build up a 31-21 lead en route to their 43-33 victory.

The East Randers’ flanker Bishop Mohono and Duane Bloem (centre) each scored twice, accounting for four of the team’s seven tries, while Jason Edwards (fullback) scored a try and kicked four conversions in a valuable display. The hosts tried hard to finish the tournament on a high note in front of their home crowd, but they could only score five tries, which left them short.

The EP Elephants saved their best form for last as they blew the Phakisa Pumas off the park to cruise to a memorable 80-7 victory. Such was their superiority they eased their way to a 59-7 halftime lead and they built on this in the second half to increase their try tally to 12 – with Cadan-wade Phillenzo Finnis (centre) accounting for four of those and Shemondrey Alex Hannes (wing) two. They supported this solid attack with a water-tight defence, which limited the opposition to a single try.

Griquas CD hit their straps in the second half against Border CD to earn a rewarding 59-15 victory, after finding themselves 17-15 ahead at the break. Their superb attacking form saw them score an impressive 11 tries, while they backed this up with a solid defence to deny the opposition from adding to their score in the second stanza. Griquas CD lock Hansie Fourie was in top form, scoring a hat-trick, while Shane Alexander (fullback) scored a brace and kicked two conversions.

The Cell C Sharks came out firing against SWD and continued to stamp their authority throughout the match for a solid 59-24 victory. Nine different players scored tries for the KwaZulu-Natalians in a fantastic team display after the side took an encouraging 26-5 halftime lead, while they limited SWD to four tries – two of which were scored by Berthal September (flyhalf).

An impressive eight tries by Griquas – with braces by lock Llewellyn Stadler and centre Jesse-Owen Denation – allowed them to overturn a 24-22 halftime deficit against the Bidvest Waltons Golden Lions XV for a 58-37 victory. The teams ran hard at one another in the first half, resulting in a tight affair, but Griquas found their rhythm in the second half and managed to finish the tournament on a winning note.

A stunning four tries by SA LSEN flyhalf Abbey Seseane and a brace by Ashley Gentle (No 8) steered the side to a convincing 50-22 victory against the SA LSEN XV.

The SA LSEN team were in hot form in the first half as they dominated on attack and rounded off their chances well to take a 38-7 halftime lead and finished the match with an impressive eight tries. They faced tough resistance from the opposition after the break as they forced their way over the chalk three times, but it was a case of too little too late for them.

A strong second half by Thepa Trading Griffons CD saw them power their way to a 38-17 victory against EP Elephants CD, outscoring their opponents six tries to two.

The Eastern Cape outfit held a narrow 10-5 lead at the break, but Thepa Trading Griffons CD had too much firepower for them in the second stanza. AJ Botha (centre) scored twice for the victors, while EP Elephants CD fullback Anton van der Mescht tried hard to keep his team in the game with a try, two conversions and a penalty goal.

Two penalty goals by Leopards flanker Stiaan Loots proved to be the difference on the scoreboard in their 30-24 victory against the DHL Western Province XV in a competitive clash. Both teams crossed the try line three times with successful conversions, but Loots’ kicked three penalty goals to one by the Cape side, which handed them the edge. Interestingly DHL Western Province XV inched 21-17 ahead at halftime, but they were unable to hold onto this in a tough second half.

The traditional international between Namibia and Old Mutual Zimbabwe was hard-fought, but Namibia’s effective goal-kicking allowed them to sneak through for a 20-15 victory.

The teams entered the break level on 10-10, and they continued to throw everything at one another in the second half, but Namibia’s two conversions and two penalty goals by Geraldo Beukes (flyhalf), to only one penalty goal and conversion by their African counterparts, sealed the win.

Boland edged the Blue Bulls 26-23 thanks to their four tries to two, with Carlton Pieterse (flyhalf) accounting for two of the Winelands’ team’s tries and three conversions. The clash was close from the outset, with Boland holding a slender 14-10 lead at the break.

The Blue Bulls battled to breach the defence, but they forced their way into the match with three penalty goals. This, however, still left them short on the scoreboard.

The Limpopo Blue Bulls wrapped up a successful tournament with their third win in as many games as they beat the Thepa Trading Griffons 37-26 thanks to their five tries to four. The Limpopo outfit started well and took a 20-12 lead at the break, and they continued to take their chances, with Junior Mnisi (winger) scoring two tries and Zander Deridder (flyhalf) kicking three conversions and two penalty goals to keep the scoreboard ticking.

A strong second-half showing by the Blue Bulls saw them bounce back from 21-15 down against their Gauteng neigbours, Bidvest Waltons Golden Lions, for a 36-28 victory. The teams were closely matched and it showed with the Pretoria side scoring five tries to four by the Jozi team. Blue Bulls winger Gopolang Makena scored two of his tries, while Ian Trollip (flyhalf) also made a valuable contribution with four conversions and a penalty goal, which kept the scoreboard ticking.

Phakisa Pumas CD held their nerve in a tightly fought encounter against Cell C Sharks CD for a narrow 15-7 victory, which saw them finish the competition undefeated. The boys from Mpumalanga built up a 10-0 halftime lead, but they were only able to add five points in the second half and the opposition seven. Such was the closeness of the match, only three tries were scored.

SA Rugby Academy Week Day Five results (Saturday, 6 July):

Namibia 20-15 Old Mutual Zimbabwe
Griquas CD 59-15 Border CD
EP Elephants CD 17-38 Thepa Trading Griffons CD
Cell C Sharks CD 7-15 Phakisa Pumas CD
SA LSEN 50-22 SA LSEN XV
EP Elephants 80-7 Phakisa Pumas
Boland 26-23 Blue Bulls XV
Griquas 58-37 Bidvest Waltons Golden Lions Academy
Free State Cheetahs 33-43 Valke
Cell C Sharks 59-24 SWD
Bidvest Waltons Golden Lions 28-36 Blue Bulls
Leopards 30-24 DHL Western Province CD
Limpopo Blue Bulls 37-26 Thepa Trading Griffons
DHL Western Province 45-17 Border

 

Western Province is the undisputed unofficial champions of the 56th annual Craven Week. They proved to have too much firepower in the end for the Blue Bulls in the main match of the tournament at Grey College in Bloemfontein. WP walked from the pitch with the scoreline 56-31 in their favour.

The Blue Bulls put up a valiant effort as Western Province only managing to enjoy a narrow 21-19 lead at half-time. The victors’ flyhalf, Kade Wolhuter, had his kicking boots on and converted all of his side’s eight tries in the match for a personal contribution of 16 points. Wolhuter also finished the tournament as the top point scorer as he totaled 50 points for the week.

Lock Conor Evans and fullback, Tharquin Manuel, both scored a brace of tries as Western Province proved their dominance at schoolboy level. Evans was outstanding and his two tries in the second half were influential in securing the victory for WP. He was also named Man-of-the-Match afterwards.

The Blue Bulls showed grit in the first half, but Western Province scored too easily shortly after each score by the Bulls. Their flanker Simon Miller, hooker Jacques-Lois du Toit and prop Gerhard van der Merwe held nothing back. In the backs, it was their SA Schools scrumhalf, Jurich Claassens, and centre Zeilinga Strydom who could feel happy with their performance.

No player caught the attention like the Limpopo Blue Bulls’ Renzo du Plessis during the prestigious tournament. The flanker finished the week on a high as he scored a hat-trick of tries to finish the tournament with five tries. It was however not a happy ending to the tournament for the Limpopo Blue Bulls as they slumped to a 15-43 defeat against the Leopards.

Flyhalf, Justin Cross, was on song for the Blue Bulls XV against the Valke. Cross converted all nine of his side’s tries as they smashed the Valke by 63-36 in a high-scoring affair. The Valke’s eighthman and captain, Franco Enslin, didn’t manage to score, but still finished the tournament as the top try-scorer as he bagged hat-tricks in both his side’s other matches.

Scorers: 

Western Province 56 (21) – Tries: Connor Evans (2), Tharquin Manuel (2), Gideon van Wyk, Bryan le Roux, Pierich Siebert, Jacques Rossouw. Conversions: Kade Wolhuter (8). Blue Bulls 31 (19) – Tries: Malcolm Langa, AJ Johnson, Zeilinga Strydom, MJ Janse van Rensburg, Penalty Try. Conversions: Wikus Basson (2).

Western Province XV 45 (21) – Tries: Stephan du Toit (3), Dalvon Blood (2), Corne Weilbach, Issy Safodien. Conversions: Kian Meadon (5). South Western Districts 30 (27) – Tries: Ashaldo Kiewiet (2), Francois Breytenbach. Conversions: Alwich van der Linde (3). Penalties: Van der Linde (2).

Border 43 (19) – Tries: Jacques Goosen (2), Oyisa Dyani (2), Cullen Opperman, Ronaldo Daniels, Indiphile Tyeda. Conversions: Sihlalo Benge (2), Warrick Day (2). Boland 26 (19) – Tries:  Reneir Viljoen, William Baron, Hugo Mostert, Boldwin Hansen. Conversions: Nathan Engelbrecht (2), Mostert.

Golden Lions 49 (21) – Tries: Ngia Selengbe (2), Declan Raubenheimer (2), TJ Maguranyanga, Jospeh Iye, Henco van Wyk. Conversions: Tiaan Botes (5), Raubenheimer (2). Free State 26 (21) – Tries: Franco Knoetze (2), Petrus Naudé, FC du Plessis. Conversions: Juan-Dee Olivier (2), Du Plessis.

Sharks 53 (10) – Tries: Ockie Barnard (2), Mbasa Nkonki (2), Teague Loelly, Vernon Matongo, Anele Nzimande. Conversions: Jordan Hendrikse (6). Penalties: Hendrikse (2). Griffons 13 (5) – Tries: Frans Postma, Juan-Roscoe Ruiters. Penalty: Mekkie Matthews.

Eastern Province 38 (17) – Tries: Christopher Poole (2), Ambese Zenzile (2), Gideon Serfontein, Sebastian Brandt. Conversions: Juandré Liebenberg (3), Hlumelo Klaas. Pumas 28 (20) – Tries: Xavier Fourie, Martin Venter, Zweli Mokoena. Conversions: Walter Visser (2). Penalties: Visser (3).

Blue Bulls XV 63 (21) – Tries: Armand Fleidl (3), Jaryd Scheepers (2), Manie Potgieter, Tiaan Lange, Shandon Botha, Theunis Pretorius. Conversions: Justin Cross (9). Valke 26 (19) – Tries: Tylon Kotze (2), Hope Ngoy, Tiaan Visser. Conversions: Kyle Potgieter (3).

Leopards 43 (17) – Tries: Jacques Stander (2), Ruben Oosthuizen (2), Dewaldt Theron, Goodwin Nchocho, Isrome Phatudi. Conversions: Ashley Madube (3), Refentse Moabi. Limpopo Blue Bulls 15 (0) – Tries: Renzo du Plessis (3).

Golden Lions XV 38 (7) – Tries: Frans Weideman (2), Heiko Pohlman, Gareth Louw, Sifiso Dlamini, Herschelle Goodman. Conversions: Sebastine Watney (4). Griqualand West 31 (24) – Tries: Stefan Swart, Corné du Plessis, Nolan Diergaardt, Keano Windvogel. Conversions: Du Plessis (4). Penalty: Du Plessis.

 

Skolerugby-ondersteuners kan hulle lippe aflek vir ‘n opwindende hoofwedstryd van die 56ste Cravenweek  vir hoërskole op Grey-kollege se hoofveld in Bloemfontein vol intrige en tweestryde vir die fynproewer.

Die Westelike Provinsie sal ongetwyfeld as die gunsteling op die veld draf teen die Blou Bulle. Dit is egter ‘n “eindstryd” en dis Noord teen Suid – so maklik gaan dit nie vir enige van die twee spanne wees om die kroon as nie-amptelike kampioen te dra nie.

Die Streeptruie het die Sharks verlede jaar met 47-8 in die hoofwedstryd verslaan.

WP se afrigtingspan sal graag wil sien dat hul span ‘n stewige voorsprong in die eerste helfte van die wedstryd opbou. Die span oor ‘n aantal gevaarlike snellers in Angelo Osch en Curwin Gertse op die vleuels wat indien hulle genoeg balbesit in spasie kry die Ligbloues se verdediging behoorlik kan laat bontstaan.

Die Streeptruie se sleutelspeler in die hoofwedstryd sal egter sy losskakel, Kade Wolhuter, wees. Wolhuter het reeds genoeg tydens die week gedoen om vir hom ‘n plek in die Suid-Afrikaanse Skole-span te verseker. Sy besluitneming agterlangs asook verspreiding kan die verskil tussen wen of verloor wees.

Die een ding van die Blou Bulle waarvan die WP seker sal wees, is dat hulle oor ‘n sterk eindpoging beskik. Die Ligbloues het tydens die Noordvaal Bondedag ‘n agterstand van 14-26 teen die Vrystaat uitgewis om uiteindelik met 40-38 as oorwinnaars van die veld te stap.

Tydens die Cravenweek het die Ligbloues ook teen lemoentyd teen die Grens (10-17) en die Westelike Provinsie XV-tal (10-29) ‘n agterstand in die tweede helfte uitgewis om onderskeidelik met 35-24 en 36-34 te seëvier.

Die WP kan heelwat minder beweegruimte in die middelveld verwag met die Bulle se senterpaar, AJ Johnson (92kg) en Zeilinga Strydom (94kg), wat tot dusver nie veel gapings oopgelos het nie. Moet ook nie vergeet van die Ligbloues se skrumskakel, Jurich Claasens, nie. Hy is ‘n speler vir die groot oomblik en sy tweestryd met Bobby Alexander kan bepaal wie die meeste speeltyd in die Nr.9-trui vir die SA Skole-span sal kry. 

Die tweestryd van die dag sal tussen die twee toekantflanke, Pierich Siebert (WP) en Simon Miller (Blou Bulle), wees. Albei is sterk aanspraakmakers vir ‘n plek in die nasionale skolespan.

Dit is die Blou Bulle se eerste verskyning in die hoofwedstryd van die gesogte toernooi sedert 2012. Die Ligbloues het destyds in die gietende reën in Port Elizabeth die Goue Leeus met 46-0 in die hoofwedstryd verslaan om as nie-amptelike kampioen gekroon te word.

In 2012 het die eer om die hoofwedstryd te blaas vir die eerste keer ooit in die hande van ‘n Vrystater Jaco Kotze behoort. Nog ‘n Vrystater Griffon Colby sal Saterdag die hoofwedstryd hanteer. Colby is slegs die tweede Vrystater wat hierdie eer te beurt val.

‘n Slegte voorbode vir die Westelike Provinsie is die feit dat die Ligbloues nog net een keer die knie in ‘n hoofwedstryd gebuig het. Dit was in 2001 teen die Suidwestelke Distrikte (20-26).

Die Blou Bulle (voorheen Noord Transvaal) was sedert 1964 nog net nege keer in die hoofwedstryd betrokke waarvan die unie agt keer as nie-amptelike kampioen gekroon is.

Gepraat van SWD – die span staan vandag die kans om die toernooi onoorwonne af te sluit. In die dae van Danie Craven sou dit sonder twyfel op die tafel gewees het dat die Volstruisboere en die Griffons mekaar in die hoofwedstryd sou pak.

Maar ons is in 2019 en SWD sal om 12:30 teen die Westelike Provinsie se XV-tal te staan kom. Die Griffons is ‘n groter onreg aangedoen dat hulle die gevriesde dou om 08:00 teen die Sharks van Grey se hoofveld moet afspeel.

Die Perses spog ook met ‘n onoorwonne status. Die Perses en Volstruisboere het sonder twyfel van die mees opwindende rugby tydens die Cravenweek opgedis. Dit terwyl ‘n span soos die Goue Leeus nog nie ‘n wedstryd kon wen nie daarna teen die gasheer, die Vrystaat, op die hoofveld sake sal uitspook.

Die bepalings is:

A-veld – 08:00: Griffons vs Sharks; 09:30: Goue Leeus vs Vrystaat; 11:00: Grens vs Boland; 12:30: Suidwestelike Distrikte vs Westelike Provinsie XV; 14:00: Westelike Provinsie vs Blou Bulle .

B-veld – 08:00: Griekwas vs Goue Leeus XV; 09:30: Limpopo Blou Bulle vs Luiperds; 11:00: Valke vs Blou Bulle XV; 12:30: Oostelike Provinsie vs Pumas.

[powr-comments id=”8a907d79_1562390325387″]

Results:

SWD 51,  Griffons 15
SWD 31,  KwaZulu-Natal 10
SWD 26,  Blue Bulls 20

Team

15 Archerift Matthys (PW Botha), 14 Jeremy Plaatjies (Outeniqua), 13 Cecil Meyer (Oakdale Landbou), 12 Daniel Marais (PW Botha), 11 Craig Booysen (PW Botha), 10 Liaan Scriven (Outeniqua), 9 Carel Swanepoel (Wittedrift HS), 8 Jan-Hendrik Joubert (Oakdale Landbou), 7 Callie Wannenburg (Oakdale Landbou), 6 Jan Hugo (Outeniqua), 5 Corné Oosthuizen (PW Botha), 4 Wessel Jooste (Oakdale Landbou), 3 Corné von Mollendorf (Oakdale Landbou), 2 Gavin Williamson (Outeniqua), 1 Michellio Krige (Haarlem Secondary). Replacements: 16 Willem Snyman (Oakdale landbou), 17 David Janse van Vuuren (Punt HS), 18 Johannes Jordaan (Oakdale Landbou), 19 Hermanus Joubert (late replacement), 20 Bernard Colburn (PW Botha), 21 Clayton Marks (PW Botha), 22 Jeandré Fourie (Outeniqua), 23 Ockert van Schalkwyk (Aliwal-North).

The SA Schools and SA Schools A sides can prepare themselves for a tough time when the annual U18 International Series takes place in the Western Cape next month, with Stellenbosch, Paarl and Wellington hosting matches.

With a team from Argentina added to the annual international showpiece for the first time, and U18 sides from England, Wales and France joining the spectacle yet again, the South African school boys will be in for a proper test.

The U18 International Series will feature three rounds of matches, on Friday 9 August at Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch, Tuesday 13 August, at Paarl Gymnasium, and Saturday 17 August at Hugenote High School in Wellington respectively.

The SA Schools A team and France will kick off the tournament in a round that will see England meet Argentina and the SA Schools team line up against Wales.

The SA Schools team will then meet Argentina at Paarl Gymnasium, with the SA Schools A team taking on Wales in the second round, while they will meet Argentina and England respectively in the closing matches.

The SA Schools team, which will be coached by the Bidvest Waltons Golden Lions’ Mzwakhe Nkosi, and SA Schools A team being led by Border’s Phiwe Nomlomo, are expected to be announced during the course of next week. 

Under-18 International Series fixtures:

Friday 9 August 2019 – Paul Roos Gymnasium

13h00 – SA Schools A v France U18

14h30 – England U18 v Argentina U18

16h00 – SA Schools v Wales U18

Tuesday 13 August 2019 – Paarl Gymnasium

13h00 – SA Schools A v Wales U18

14h30 – SA Schools v Argentina U18

16h00 – England U18 v France U18

Saturday 17 August 2019 – Hugenote High, Wellington

12h00 – SA Schools A v Argentina U18

13h30 – France U18 v Wales U18

15h00 – SA Schools v England U18

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

 

It will be North vs South is the main match of this year’s 56th annual Craven Week at Grey College in Bloemfontein. The Blue Bulls booked their spot in the main match after coming out on top by 36-34 in an exciting match against Western Province XV on the fourth day of the tournament.

The Blue Bulls will face the defending unofficial champions, Western Province, in the main match on Saturday.

A try late in the match by inside centre, AJ Johnson, drew scores level with SA Schools’ scrumhalf, Jurich Claassens, converting it to secure the victory. It was the best contest of the Craven Week thus far and a fitting main game as all the matches on the fourth day seemed to lift the intensity of the tournament. Claassens came onto the field as a flyhalf in the second half.

The Blue Bulls’ flanker Simon Miller also proved with a solid performance that he must surely be on the SA Schools’ selectors’ radar. In the back fullback, Geraldo Flusk, was impressive on attack.

For the Western Province XV their scrumhalf, Issy Safodien, and winger Javier Farmer both managed to complete a brace of tries.

A last-minute penalty by flyhalf, Warrick Day, gave the Border a narrow 39-36 victory over the Golden Lions. Day missed an attempt a couple of minutes earlier, but after the hooter slotted the winning penalty from in front of the poles.

For the Golden Lions both their wingers, TJ Maguranyanga and Ngia Selengbe crossed the try-line twice. Border’s winger Indiphile Tyeda scored two vital tries in the second half to keep Border within range of the Lions.

The Griffons kept their unbeaten status intact with a classy performance against the Blue Bulls XV. The Purple People Eaters came out on top by 50-33 with their inside centre, Duncan Amsterdam, bagging a hat-trick of tries.

Amsterdam’s performance in the midfield was excellent as his running lines gave the Blou Bulls trouble throughout. The Griffons’ other star player was the flanker Neil Harmse. He was like the Energizer Bunny and surfaced at the right places at the right time on defence.

The Blue Bulls coaching staff won’t be happy with their team’s effort in the first half. The Griffons led 33-5 at half-time. In the second half the Bulls’ flanker Lohan Potgieter produced the spark that led to his team producing a far better performance in the second half.

The Limpopo Blue Bulls’ captain and fullback, Brandon Cronjé, scored a hat-trick of tries as his team defeated the Golden Lions XV for a second time in 2019. The Limpopo Blue Bulls also defeated the Golden Lions by 38-33 during the Noordvaal Bondedag.

The Man-of-the-Match performance however belonged to flanker Renzo du Plessis. The flanker once again made some bullocking runs and made more than his fare share of tackles on defence.

Eastern Province had too much firepower for Griqualand West as they put them to the sword by 43-12. The visitors from the Eastern Cape scored seven tries to the two of Griquas.

Scorers:

Blue Bulls 36 (10) – Tries: Nolan Pienaar, Wikus Basson, Hope Sandisiwe, Geraldo Flusk, AJ Johnson. Conversions: Jurich Claassens (2), Basson (2). Penalty: Basson. Western Province 34 (29) – Tries: Issy Safodien (2), Javier Farmer (2), Blanks Blanckenberg. Conversions: Kian Meadon (3). Penalty: Meadon.

Border 39 (17) – Tries: Indiphile Tyeda (2), Bulumko Mfundisi, Jarrod Taylor, Sihlalo Benge, Ali Gqaza. Conversions: Benge (2), Warrick Day. Penalty: Day. Golden Lions 36 (17) – Tries: TJ Maguranyanga (2), Ngia Selengbe (2), Izan Esterhuizen. Conversions: Declan Raubenheimer (4). Penalty: Raubenheimer.

Griffons 50 (33) – Tries: Duncan Amsterdam (3), Juan-Roscoe Ruiters (2), Calla Pienaar, Dylan Smith. Conversions: Mekkie Matthews (5), Ruiters. Penalty: Ruiters. Blue Bulls XV 22 (5) – Tries: Werner Kruger, Lohan Potgieter, Carlton Banies, Eddie Wesso. Conversion: Justin Cross.

Limpopo Blue Bulls 46 (10) – Tries: Brandon Cronjé (3), Marvelous Mashimbye, Siphiwe Tjale, Renzo du Plessis, Jody du Preez, Taylor du Plessis. Conversions: Divan van Zyl (3). Golden Lions XV 24 (17) – Tries: Sifiso Dlamini (2), Frans Weideman, Sab Motsage. Conversions: Eulen Redcliffe, Marquin Uren.

Eastern Province 43 (31) – Tries: Christopher Poole (2), Matt Hillary, Ruan Claassen, Juandré Liebenberg, Liyema Matyolweni, Abo Klaas. Conversions: Liebenberg (4). Griqualand West 12 (5) – Tries: Steph Boshoff, Keano Windvogel. Conversion: Boshoff.

 

Three sides of the second pool of the Academy Week – the Valke, Border and Blue Bulls XV remained unbeaten after their second matches of the annual tournament at Grey College in Bloemfontein. 

The Valke kept their unbeaten status thanks to a 48-29 victory over the Pumas which included a hat-trick of tries by inside centre, Louis de Bruyn. Fullback, Jason Edwards, also put in a strong performance.

Border defeated the Griffons by 41-27 with a strong performance. Lock Grant Pretorius scored a brace of tries. 

The Blue Bulls XV proved too strong for their rivals, the Golden Lions XV, by 57-12 in their clash. The victors’ left winger, Bongani Ndlovu, scored a hat-trick of tries. The Blue Bulls could’ve boasted a bigger victory as they already managed to build up an unassailable lead of 31-5 at half-time. 

The South African LSEN-side (for learners with special educational needs) managed a 36-29 victory over Griqualand West Country Districts thanks to a hat-trick of tries by winger Leroy Kiewiet. Griquas CD was in control in the first half an build-up a 22-12 lead by the half-time break. 

Scorers: 

Valke 48 (26) – Tries: Louis de Bruyn (3), Dwayne Lubbe, Eddie Evans, Ronin du Toit, Jason Edwards. Conversions: Edwards (3), Duane Bloem (2). Penalty: Bloem. Pumas 29 (17) – Tries: Ruan Steyn, Sipho Kachelenga, Shannon Mandude, Alec Vermaak. Conversions: Ricardo Schonfeldt (3). Penalty: Schonfeldt.

Border 41 (19) – Tries: Grant Pretorius (2), Conley Pieterse, Liyema Mgwigwi, Lwando Kolisa, Josh Roberts, Awonke Sondishe. Conversions: Hugo Bronkhorst, JP van Zyl, Jeff Mosiane. Griffons 27 (15) – Tries: Bjorn Steinhobel, Jared Kruger, Thapelo Moshodi, Ryno Oosthuizen. Conversions: Benni Human, Jan du Toit. Penalty: Du Toit.

South Western Districts 31 (12) – Tries: Berthal September (3), Royden Jonker (2). Conversions: September (2), Justin Wolmarans. Golden Lions 27 (8) – Tries: Jean Slabbert, Mase Pooe, Ruan van Staden, Levandré Horn. Conversions: Horne (2). Penalty: Diego Swartz.

Blue Bulls XV 57 (31) – Tries: Bongani Ndlovu (3), Ruan Venter (2), George van der Merwe (2), Xander Nel, Charles Luhanga. Conversions: Ruben Behrens (3), Wihan Strauss (3). Golden Lions XV 12 (5) – Tries: Josh Pimstein, Stix Selema. Conversion: Cameron Mellville. 

Griffons 59 (40) – Tries: Imi Alam (2), Moeketsi Kgongoana (2), Scotty Scott, MT Steyn, Matthew Turner, AJ Botha, Teboho Mathibe. Conversions: Jurie Wessels (6), Scott. SA LSEN XV 7 (0) – Try: Mendes Vangu. Conversion: Luan Gouws.

Namibia 39 (20) – Tries: Dhale Cloete, Christopher Deck, Geraldo Beukes, Lyle Beukes, Ian Grobbelaar. Conversions: Beukes (4). Penalties: Beukes (2). Griqualand West 17 (12) – Tries: Jan Potgieter, Ryno van Rensburg, Sean Daniels. Conversion: Daniels.

SA LSEN 36 (12) – Tries: Leroy Kiewiet (3), Renier Boshoff, Marx Hartnick. Conversions: Lesego Seikaneng (2), Diego Edwards. Griqualand West Country Districts 29 (22) – Tries: Winston Tuck (2), Barnard Venter, Mauritz Erasmus, Michael Wessels. Conversions: Shane Alexander (2).

[powr-comments id=”57d32c26_1562236398967″]