Free State were the biggest winners on day one of the FNB U18 Craven Week at Grey High School in Gqeberha on Monday, while Western Province, Boland and the Sharks also recorded victories.
The FNB U18 Craven Week got off to an explosive start, with 41 tries scored across the four matches. Free State and the Limpopo Blue Bulls combined for 107 points in an entertaining clash on the Kolisi Field, with the boys from Bloemfontein eventually claiming a 66-41 victory.
In other FNB U18 Craven Week matches played on Monday, Boland fired late to secure a 39-20 win against the Leopards, and the Sharks scored five tries in their 36-19 win against SWD.
Hosts Eastern Province made a bright start to the final clash of the day against WP, and the result was still in the balance at half-time, after local flyhalf Nathan Trytsman slotted two penalty goals. The Western Cape outfit lifted the tempo after the break and proceeded to score 21 unanswered points, with Achmat Behardien (flyhalf) kicking six conversions and adding a try at the death as WP went on to secure a 42-25 win.
FNB U18 Craven Week (Monday, 6 July):
A-field:
Western Province 42-25 Eastern Province
Eastern Province had a confident start and scored the first try after 3 minutes of play; however, Western Province struck back almost immediately, and Kwaza Gobingca scored off the back of a lineout-maul. Achmat Behardien converted the try to level the scores 07-07. Thereafter, Western Province set up camp in the Eastern Province red zone. Eventually, Behardien sent Dirk Farmer on his way with a long skip pass, to score Western Province’s 2nd try, which was converted by Behardien to extend Western Province’s lead to 14-07 after 22 minutes of play in the first half. Nathan Trytsman converted a late penalty to cut Western Province’s lead to 14-13 which was the halftime score.
Eastern Province started like a house on fire, and Erin Nelson cut the Western Province’s defence to pieces before sending Luke Doyle away to score Eastern Province’s second try, to retake a 20-14 lead following the conversion by Nathan Trytsman. Western Province struck back almost immediately when Caleb Bell ran a brilliant line off a pass by Achmat Behardien to score Western Province’s 3rd try. Behardien converted to clim a 1 point lead for Western Province after 18 minutes of play in the second half. Great interplay from Western Province put Joshua Swart into space to score. Achmat Behardien converted, extending Western Provice’s lead to 28-20 and 25 minutes to play. A minute later, Werner de Bruin crashed over, and Achmat Behardien converted to extend Western Province’s lead to 35-20. With 18 minutes to play, Ruben Van Dijk crashed over from the back of a lineout maul to cut Western Province’s lead to 35-25.
Eastern Province applied a lot of pressure during the final 10 minutes, but could not convert pressure into points. With 4 minutes to play, Achmat Behardien once again cut the defence of Eastern Province to pieces with his silky running to score another try for Western Province. Achmat Behardien converted to secure a 42-25 win over Eastern Province.
Teams:
Western Province: 17 Uzair Blanckenberg, 2 Kwaza Gobingca, 18 Solam Gegana, 20 Werner De Bruin, 5 Jean Dreyer, 6 Linakho Mehlomakulu, 7 Hendre Van Zyl, 8 Esa Van Der Schyff, 9 Caleb Bell, 10 Achmat Behardien, 14 Dirk Farmer, 12 Ethan Barker, 13 Tiaan Basson, 23 Eljaron Geduld, 15 Liam Jacobs. Replacements: 16 Charles Whitehead, 1 Jayden Steyl, 3 Zak Steyn, 4 Juvan Burden, 19 Christian Le Roux, 9 Mickyle Booise, 10 Ethan Van Biljon, 11 Joshua Swart.
Eastern Province: 1 Daniel Naude, 16 Micah Wessels, 18 Silinde Ntshokoma, 19 Caleb Harvey, 7 Neshaun Bester, 6 Henrico Bodenstein, 7 Joandre Van Jaarsveld, 8 Luniko Marivate, 9 Luke Doyle, 10 Nathan Trytsman, 11 Lucritia Magau, 12 Anfred Jansen, 13 Erin Nelson, 14 Noah Mbizi, 15 William Stevens. Replacements: 2 Janu Janse Van Rensburg, 17 Bagcine Njengele, 3 Juan Potgieter, 5 Ruben Van Dijk, 4 Akho Tonjeni, 21 Niel September, 22 Tristan Kemp, 23 Sibulele Ngebulana.
Sharks 36-19 South Western Districts
SWD opened the scoring when Bernard Badenhorst crashed over in the corner after 5 minutes of play. Following several tries not awarded to the Sharks, it was Anesu Kuzonyei, who was put into space out wide with a brilliant pass, who scored the Sharks’ opening try. Daniel Miskey converted to claim a 07-05 lead for the Sharks after 15 minutes of play in the first half, which was also the halftime score.
It took the Sharks 15 minutes to score the first try of the second half when Iglesias Bruiners scored off the back of a line-out maul to extend the Sharks' lead to 12-05. From the kick-off, SWD were reduced to 13 players following a second yellow card. Olwethu Kosani scored the Sharks' 3rd try following a dominant maul. Daniel Miskey converted to extend the Sharks' lead to 19-05 with 20 minutes still to play in the second half.
The Sharks continued their 15-man attack, and Olwethu Kosani crashed over after several players handled the ball. Miskey converted, extending the Sharks' lead to 26-05 with 13 minutes to play. SWD’s ill discipline is costing them several attacking opportunities. Miskey converted a penalty to extend the Sharks' lead to 29-05 with 7 minutes still to play. SWD attacked from a lineout maul, and Adrian Smith scored; Tylor Marais converted, cutting the Sharks’ lead to 29-12 and 4 minutes to play. Rufagon Hendricks scored SWD’s 3rd try with time almost up on the clock, to which the Sharks replied with a try by Luxolo Sonkononkono to secure a well-deserved 36-19 win for the Sharks.
Teams:
Sharks: 1 Aphelele Chamane, 2 Theo Boshoff, 3 Nicolas Salamousas, 4 Lwandile Mlaba, 5 Andrew Schnell, 6 Zander Muller, 19 Tristan Parkinson, 8 Jamie Wimble, 21 Dominic Du Toit, 10 Daniel Miskey, 11 Anesu Kuzonyei, 12 Alex Jankowitz, 13 Nathan Aneke, 14 Amogelang Mataboge, 15 Luxolo Sonkononkono. Replacements: 16 Iglesias Bruiners, 17 Clement Makelele, 18 Priden Sibiya, 19 Zion Smith, 7 Nhlanhla Ndlovu, 9 Ludi Van Der Walt, 22 Olwethu Kosani, 23 Lwazi Mbebe.
SWD: 1 Kyle Burger, 16 Keaton Olivier, 18 AJay Julies, 4 Ruan Groenewald, 5 Lincoln Zietsman, 6 Bernard Badenhorst, 7 Andreas Gouws, 8 Jacobus De Villiers, 9 Rufagon Hendricks, 10 Caleb Williams, 11 Heiliano Beukes, 12 Jade Lothering, 13 Myburgh Eksteen, 14 Nathan Gordon, 15 Darnell Delport. Replacements: 2 Adrian Smith, 17 Matthew Prins, 3 Francois Le Roux, 19 Shagon Kiewiet, 20 Moeshaan Mortlock, 21 Tylor Marais, 22 Andre Van Der Merwe, 23 Bronwin Swiegelaar.
Free State 66-41 Limpopo Bulls
Despite a brilliant effort by the Limpopo Bulls, the Free State’s class proved too much in the final 20 minutes for the defence of the Limpopo. The Free State secured a 66-41 win.
The Limpopo Bulls started like a house on fire, and following a disallowed try, captain Stephan Jansen Van Rensburg crashed over for the first points of the match. Juan Randall converted, extending the Limpopo Bulls’ lead to 07-00. The Limpopo Bulls continued the pressure, and Juan Randall beat several defenders to cut the Free State’s defence into pieces to score the Limpopo Bulls 2nd try. Randall converted, extending Limpopo Bulls’ lead to 14-00. Brilliant running by Eddie Mabena had him scoring the Free State’s first try. Zachary Walbrugh converted, cutting the Limpopo Bulls’ lead to 14-07, and 15 minutes still to play in the first half.
Two minutes later, Zachary Walbrugh scored Free State’s second try. Zachary Walbrugh converted to level the scores at 14-14. Free State upped their pace, which was a lot for Limpopo Bulls to handle. Eddie Mabena scored his second try, which was converted by Zachary Walbrugh from the corner, extending Free State’s lead to 21-15 with 9 minutes still to play. Following wave after wave of attacks, prop Kristen Swanepoel crashed over for the Limpopo Bulls to cut the Free State’s lead to just 3 points; however, the Free State had the final say when Ruan Roux showed brilliant pace and feet to score the Free State’s 4th try. Zachary Walbrugh converted to send the Free State into the 2nd half with a 28-19 lead.
Free State opened the scoring when Andrew Wessels sniped to cruise over; Walbrught converted, extending Free State’s lead to 35-19 after 4 minutes of play in the second half. Andrew de Beer was the response of Limpopo Bulls, scoring off the back of a 5m lineout-maul, cutting the Free State’s lead to 11 points. Ruan Roux scored his second try, sniping from the back of a ruck for his second try after 10 minutes of play in the second half. Walbrugh was on target again.
With 20 minutes of play and defence out of the window, Mahlatse Kekana and Lehlogonolo Letlabola (2) scored tries for the Limpopo Bulls, while Lamla Mgedezi, Prestan Bennet, Unathi Ntuli, and Zachary Walbrugh (2) scored tries for the Free State. The Free State won 66-41.
Teams;
Free State: 17 Frans-Paul Troskie, 16 Aj Hendriks, 18 Lwazi Mcandi, 19 Desmond Udenzeeze, 5 Siyabonga Bulwane, 20 6 Josh Nelson, 4 Alexi Tyropolis, 8 Niel Du Randt, 9 Andrew Wessels, 22 Zachary Walbrugh, 11 Guiteau Petrus, 12 Ruan Roux, 13 Eddie Mabena, 23 Unathi Ntuli, 15 Lamla Mgedezi. Replacements: 2 Xander De Beer, 1 Hennie Bredenhann, 3 Johan Willem Coetzee, 7 Prestan Bennet, 6 Henru Erasmus, 9 Jonathan Drysdale, 10 Samson Lackay, 23 Kingsley Pule.
Eyesizwe Limpopo Blue Bulls: 17 Kristen Swanepoel, 2 Ziahn Lombaard, 3 Stephan Jansen Van Rensburg, 4 Brent Vorster, 5 Ludke Pienaar, 6 Andru De Beer, 7 Liam Van Der Bank, 8 Mogau Matemotsa, 9 Curtis Cloete, 10 Juan Randall, 11 Graham Rooza, 12 Edwin Matola, 13 Juan Dreyer, 14 Ronnel Komana, 15 Lehlogonolo Letlabola. Replacements: 16 Limi-lu Heswick, 1 Dewan Windell, 18 Randy Magabe, 19 Rhandzo Malatji, 20 Puki Mpiti, 21 Leeroy Alexander, 22 Mahlatse Kekana, 23 Risuna Mngoni.
Boland 39-20 Leopards
The Leopards outplayed the Boland in the first half, playing an expansive game plan, running at every opportunity with the forwards and backs combining brilliantly, while flyhalf Ricardo Enos controlled the game from the flyhalf position. Boland came out in the second half a lot more positive and eventually secured a deserving 39-20 win.
The Leopards started like a house on fire, and following a great grubber, Aydan Willemse collected the bouncing ball to crash over for the first try of the 2026 U18 Craven Week. Ricardo Enos converted, extending the Leopards' lead to 07-00 after 15 minutes of play in the first half. Enos converted two penalties to lead 13-00. With time running out, Boland’s forwards stepped up and earned them several penalties, with Jano Van Deventer converting a penalty with time up on the clock.
After 10 minutes of play, Diego Braaf intercepted in his half and outpaced the chasing defenders of the Leopards. Jaydan Van Niekerk converted to cut the Leopards’ lead to 13-10. Boland took the lead for the first time when JP Lotriet crashed over. Jaydan Van Niekerk converted, extending Boland’s lead to 17-13. Anwill Jacobs crashed over a minute later, pouncing on a great kick by Dihego Braaf to score. With 16 minutes to play, Boland led 22-13. Boland were in complete control, and their speed of play opened space for Anwill Jacobs to score a great try. Jaydan Van Niekerk converted to extend Boland’s lead to 29-13 with 10 minutes still to play.
Following great work by the Leopards’ forwards, De Wet Grobler took a short pass to score a much-needed try. Wian Du Preez converted to cut Boland’s lead to 29-20 with 7 minutes left to play in the second half. From the kick-off, Jaydan Van Niekerk converted a penalty, extending Boland’s lead to 32-20. Annwill Jacobs intercepted a silly pass by the Leopards to score his hat-trick. Jayden van Niekerk converted, securing Boland a 39-20 win.
Teams:
Sanlam Boland: 17 Anzio Brinkhuis, 16 Jaydrian Van Staden, 3 Reece Matthee, 4 Jl Matthee, 5 Nieken Lubbe, 6 Werno Ramsauer, 19 Heinrich Redelinghuys, 8 Simamkele Lahlekile, 9 Wernard De Villiers, 10 Jaydan Van Niekerk, 11 Darren Makeza, 12 Jano Van Deventer, 13 Willvino Paultin, 14 Chris-will Du Toit, 15 Anwill Jacobs. Replacements: 2 JP Lotriet, 1 Christoff Filmalter, 18 Tyrone Lefa Modipa, 7 Joniel Claasen, 20 Jaden Stewart, 21 Dihego Braaf, 22 Brent Leigh Exstraal, 23 Braydon Joseph.
NWU Leopards: 17 Tlholego Maape, 2 Fanie Linde, 3 Jayden Minnie, 4 Evan Van Heerden, 19 Lefa Maloma, 6 Karabelo Maseka, 7 Ruben Van Heerden, 8 De Wet Grobler, 21 Rellston Wilson, 10 Ricardo Enos, 11 Elzeno Schalkwyk, 12 Wian Du Preez, 13 Simphiwe Nero, 14 Karabelo Kgamanyana, 15 Aydan Willemse. Replacements: 16 Dandre Graham, 1 AB Brink, 18 Nicolas Dreyer, 5 Tiaan de Kock, 20 Tydiane Williams, 9 Shayloh Cox, 22 Marques Jantjies, 23 Junaid Stevens.
FNB U18 Girls Week (Monday, 6 July):
B-Field:
KwaZulu-Natal 10-27 Boland
Blue Bulls 08-38 Eastern Province
Golden Lions 26-10v Border
Western Province 27-05 Pumas
C-Field:
Valke 24-10 Griquas
Free State 15-30 Griffons
South Western Districts 44-05 Leopards
Limpopo Blue Bulls 24-15 Eastern Province XV
