The 2022 u/18 Academy Week hosted at Hugenote High School in Wellington started of with a bang when the Golden Lions started the tournament with great rugby against Western Province, however, as the day continued that action just gor faster with the defence sometimes brutal.
Great action on day one with most of the ten matches ending in close games. The Blue Bulls, Golden Lions, Sharks, Western Province and Free State issued early warnings of their intentions to play in the final match on day three, however, team selection and substitutions will have a great influence on the final results.
WP XV 18-22 Golden Lions
The Lions stormed into an early lead and led 19-11 at the halftime break. The Lions had to hold on for dear life as Western Province threw everything at them during the second half. Unfortunately for Western Province, a converted try was just not good enough as the Lions recorded their first win of the 2022 Academy Week.
Scores:
WP XV Academy: Tries: Bronstin Agulhas, Leigh Jay Latief. Conversion: Jayson January. Penalties: Jayson January (2)
Golden Lions Academy: Tries: Joseph Zulu, Jaundre Schoeman, Coun-lee Koekman. Conversions: Coun-lee Koekman (2). Penalty: Coun-lee Koekman.
Zimbabwe 19-27 Boland XV
Zimbabwe was still in it at the halftime break leading 19-17, however, two unanswered tries by the Boland XV in the second half proved to be vital. This match was also marred by the number of penalties that made it a very stop-start match.
Scorers: Zimbabwe: Tries: Giordano Sarpo, Emmanuel Magutakuona. Penalties: Tawana Machawi (3).
Boland XV: Tries: Carick Kustoor, Jenico Truter, Jean Swart. Conversions: Petrie van Wyk (3). Penalties: Morne Grobler (2)
Valke 00-28 Sharks
The Sharks lead 21-00 at the halftime break annd understandably took their foot off and made several replacements in the second half which cost them momentum.
Scorers:
Sharks: Tries: Liam Terblanche, Akhona Kunene, Keith Chirwa, Jaco Williams. Conversions: Chris Horak (4).
Namibia 61-14 Border CD
The visitors from Namibia started this tournament with a bang and lead 33-00 at the halftime break. Eight-man Andre Brand will be remembered for his great runs which saw him score four tries.
Scorers:
Namibia: Tries: Karel Noppe, Andre Brand (4), Theunis Van Wyk, Jp Van Wyk, Suramie Qhena-kambombo, Heindrich Januarie. Conversions: Edward Drotsky (8).
Border CD: Tries: Mvana Msutu, Lukhanyo Bangani. Conversions: Aba Mlenzana (2).
Border 20-35 Griffons
Although the Griffons "dominated" for most of the match Border just would not give up. The halftime score was 20-10 with the Griffons leading, however, several kicks were missed by Border which could have resulted in a different outcome.
Scorers:
Border: Tries: Lindokhule Xozwa, Lwanele Gaba, Big Jo Jho, Asiphe Madikane.
Griffons: Tries: Ludich Reinecke, Rezarco Lategan, Rayvian Cupido, Xavier Lotter, Naylan Goeda. Conversions: Paseka Mokoena. Penalties: Paseka Mokoena (2).
Blue Bulls 31-12 Griquas
Griquas was still very much in the game at halftime trailing 07-12, however, the second half saw the Bulls running with pace and score three great tries while the Griquas could only add one try.
Scorers:
Blue Bulls: Tries: Neo Gama, Francois Prinsloo, Nicallen Gabrielsen, Calven Scott, Dale Martin. Conversions: Nicallen Gabrielsen (3).
Griquas: Tries: Alwyn Kotze, Ruben Preite. Conversion: Alwyn Kotze.
Western Province 72-00 Limpopo Blue Bulls
Western Province led 27-00 at the halftime break and rand amok in the second half to end the day with eleven tries scored.
Scorers:
Western Province: Tries: Jo Himmelstutzer, Franco Roux (2), Monray Daars, Juma Amissi, Frank Hitimana (2), Xolela Hoyi (3), Aya Machuli. Conversions: Monray Daars (4), Shaywan Blankenberg (3). Penalty: Shaywan Blankenberg.
Pumas 39-32 Leopards
The Pumas started like a house on fire to lead at halftime with 25-06. The Leopards just ran out of time in the second half to secure a "surprise" win. Once again penalties resulted in a stop start match with the Pumas converting five penalties which gave them the match on a platter.
Scorers:
Pumas: Tries: Harry Steenkamp, Zander Erasmus, Kutloano Seabela. Conversions: Zander Erasmus (2). Penalties: Zander Erasmus (5).
Leopards: Tries: Phillip Van Der Westhuizen, Dawid Opperman, Juan Lubbe (2). Conversions: Mj Mostert (3). Penaties: MJ Mostert: (2)
Eastern Province 22-43 Boland Academy
Eastern Province was still very much in the match at the halftime break trailing by 10-14. However, Boland moved to fifth gear to run Eastern Province of their feet in a display of brilliant running rugby.
Scorers:
Eastern Province: Tries: Bubele Thibini, Dj Zietsman, Jd Van Zyl. Conversions: DJ Zietsman (2). Penalty: DJ Zietsman.
Boland: Tries: Yudin Marcus, Aaron Swartz, Daniel Knoetzen, Fernando Muller (3), Grachiel Jonkers. Conversions: Aaron Swartz (3), Rahul Hartzenberg.
Free State Academy 33-27 SWD
Although Free State led 20-10 at the halftime break SWD came back at them in the second half with the match still up for grabs until the final seconds.
Scorers:
Free State: Tries: Stefan Venter (2), Hayden Tolmay. Conversions: Ian Van Der Merwe (3). Penalties: Ian Van Der Merwe (4).
SWD: Tries: Ruben Waterson, Estian Cronje, Lleyton Buys, Shaun Nicholas. Conversions: Marcel Strydom (2). Penalties: Marcel Strydom.
