The three-day tournament came to a powerful climax on Friday, with the Lions, Leopards and Sharks XV winning their matches to finish the competition with a perfect record.
Meanwhile, the Valke, Border Country Districts, Griquas, Free State, South Western Districts and Western Province all recorded victories on Friday to end their campaigns on a high.
FNB U16 Grant Khomo Week fixtures – day three (Friday, 3 July):
A-field:
Lions 33-21 Blue Bulls
The Jukskei derby staged at the end of the day lived up to the hype, with the Lions eventually winning 33-21. The Bulls were in control for much of the first half and went to the break with a commanding 21-07 lead. The game opened up after half-time, however, and the Lions, spearheaded by flyhalf Cian Jonck, scored four tries and 26 unanswered points to complete a stunning comeback victory.
Scorers:
Golden Lions: Mohau Mkhize, Cian Jonck, Connor De Matteis, Oratile Moyo, Alwande Ngcobo. Conversions: Cian Jonck (3), Oratile Tyamu.
Blue Bulls: Morne Beukes, Taylor Nel, Kean Meyer. Conversions: Lian De Jager (2), Kean Meyer.
WP 29-24 Sharks
The Sharks did most of the playing for the first 10 minutes of the match, and deservedly, Warona Modise scored the first try of the match, after which Western Province struck back with a well-worked try in the corner by Geshem Pietersen to cut the Sharks’ lead to 07-05. Since then, Western Province upped the intensity of their attack, and following wave after wave of attacks, Lian Van Zijl crashed over to extend Western Province's lead to 12-07 and ten minutes still to play in the first half. Despite great play from the Sharks, Western Province attacked from a turnover ball, and Zeke Finck scored a great try down the touchline. Western Province led 19-07 at the halftime break.
The Sharks started the second half with a great try scored by Peyton Solomons; however, two minutes later Zardus Coetzee crashed over to extend Western Province’s lead to 24-12. Two minutes later, Lian Van Zijl crashed over for his second try of the match, extending the lead of Western Province to 29-12. Following both teams throwing the ball around with no care in the world, the Sharks' Lethuxolo Ntuli scored a long-distance try to cut Western Province’s lead to 29-19, with 10 minutes left to play in the second half. The madness continued for the final 10 minutes of the match, with the pace of the game resulting in several handling errors. With time up, the Sharks’ Peyton Solomons scored a consolation try; however, Western Province deservedly won 29-24.
Border 13-59 Free State
The Free State’s Lohan de Beer scored their first try off the back of a 25m maul after five minutes of play. Five minutes later, Jayden Els crashed over following wave after wave of attacks to extend the Free State’s lead to 14-00. The Free State are running Border of their feet, and Anton Piek and Koot Bender also scored, extending their lead to 28-00. After 24 minutes of play, Border hit back when Hlombe Dlani ran a brilliant line to open Border’s account with a try. The Free State led 28-05 at the halftime break.
The Free State dominated the second half with Lohan De Beer, Theuns Fourie, Siya Mdunge, Tatum Kers, and Leon Kruger scoring tries, to which Border replied with a converted penalty and a try by Dian Van Rooyen. Free State deservedly winning 59-13.
Sharks XV 54-07 Boland
The Sharks started like a house on fire, and following several pick-ups and goes, it was captain Henco van Loggerenberg who crashed over to lead 07-00 after 3 minutes of play in the first half. Boland replied, and after 10 minutes of play, captain Junaid Wevers crashed over to level the scores. The Sharks used their forwards to do the hard work, and when they eventually spread the ball wide, Lian Bezuidenhout cut the Boland’s defence in two to stroll over for the Sharks 2nd try, which was quickly followed by an intercept try by Lanner Reilly to extend the Sharks’ lead to 19-07 with 13 minutes to play in the first half. With a minute to play, Ulrich Marx crashed over to extend the Sharks’ lead to 26-07, which was the halftime score.
Prop Sphe Buthelezi bulldozed his way over Boland’s tryline for the Sharks' 5th try after 4 minutes of play in the second half. Sphe’s partner tighthead prop Joshua Ntlou added his name to the try-scoring sheet with a strong run to extend the Sharks’ lead to 40-07. Thereafter, Anthonie Linde and Junior Sambo also scored tries for the Sharks to secure a 54-07 win.
Leopards 28-12 Pumas
The Leopards opened the scoring with two converted penalties. The Leopards dominated from the kick-off, and after 13 minutes of play, flanker Stephan du Preez picked up the ball from the back of a dominant scrum to score the Leopards' first try of the match. The Leopards extended their lead to 13-00. With 8 minutes to play, Wihan Strydom sniped from the back of a scrum to extend the Leopards' lead to 20-00. 4 minutes later, Nico Theron scored following a quick tap and brilliance by scrummie Wihan Strydom, extending the Leopards’ lead, who were in complete control at that stage, to 25-00, which was the halftime score.
The Pumas clawed their way back into the game; however, after 11 minutes of play in the second half, the Leopards converted a penalty. Despite the Pumas’ 2nd-half efforts, they only scored tries by Blessing Sithole and Themba Makelane to cut the Leopards' lead to 28-12, which was the final score.
Iqhawe 52-12 Valke
Iqhawe attacked from the kickoff; however, the Valke attacked from deep inside their own half, and winger Bokang Mabina scored in the corner to put the Valke in the lead 07-00 after 7 minutes of the first half had been played. Iqhawe continued to attack, and following several players handling the ball, winger Emiliano Jon-leigh Adams scored in the corner to cut the Valke’s lead to 07-05. Five minutes later, Antonio Leakay scored a brilliant long-distance try to extend the Valke’s lead to 14-05. Despite Iqhawe’s exciting brand of rugby and dominance, the Valke’s defence held to lead 14-05 going into the second half.
The Valke made a brilliant start when winger Bokang Mabina’s kick upfield ended in centre Keanu Van Der Merwe crashing over to extend the Valke’s lead to 21-05 after 3 minutes of play in the first half. A minute later, the Valke was awarded a penalty try, extending their lead to 28-03. Thereafter, Antonio Leakay, Keanu Van Der Merwe, Bokang Mabina, and David Myburgh scored for the Valke while Keagon Farmer added a try for Iqhawe. Valke secured a 52-12 win.
B-Field:
Zimbabwe 21-21 Namibia
Border Country Districts 55-09 Kenya
Griffons 19-55 Griquas
Blue Bulls XV 33-46 Eastern Province
South Western Districts 24-15 Limpopo Blue Bulls
