Day two started with the first matches moved to the C and D fields at Paarl Gym due to worries regarding the condition of the fields after the rain on Tuesday. Unfortunately this was to the disadvantage of the traditional "running" provinces due to the size of these fields
Eastern Province 16 - 6 Griffons
This game resulted in a tight battle between the two sides' forward packs. Running with the ball was almost impossible. Eastern Province took their chances with penalties whenever possible.
Scorers :
Eastern Province Tries : Luke Coetzee Conversions : Smuts Claude Penalties : Claude Jacobs, Luan Andre-Leigh Van Wyk, Ryan Windvogel.
Griffons Penalties : Ruben Liebenberg
Border CD 0 - 46 Limpopo Blue Bulls
Scorers :
Limpopo Blue Bulls Tries : Casper Kruger, David Human, Phillip Apea-Adu, William Masesela Thulare (2),Lehlogonold Molepo Baphiwe, Mbulelo Fani. Coversions : Erik Meintjies (4) Penalties : Erik Meintjies
Free State 14 - 34 WP XV
The Western Province XV scored their first two tries within the first 10 minutes of the first half. Conditions was improving with the sun shining and the pitch drying. The Cheetahs defended like trojans for the rest of the first halve and changed sides trailing 0 - 14. The second half saw the Free State team matching Province in all aspects of the game. They scored early with WP XV using every opportunity to strecth their lead with penalties. It was only in the last ten minutes that the WP XV managed to overpower the Free State team that never gave up. the WP XV full back Remy Engelbrecht scored three tries and maybe the difference between the two teams.
Scorers :
Free State Tries : Ross Braude (2) Conversions : Richard Kriel Christoffel Klijnhans
WP XV Tries : Breyton Poole, Remy Engelbrecht (3) Conversions : Mikyle Vraagom (4) Penalties : Mikyle Vraagom
Pumas 32 - 7 Namibia
Scorers :
Namibia Tries : Shaun van Wyk Conversions : Diederik Niehaus
Pumas Tries : Banele Mthenjane (2), Estian Schroeder (2), Rowan Skosana, Unathi Poyo Conversions : Tiaan Du Plessis.
WP 29 - 7 Griquas
Western Province showed promise on attack early on in their clash against Griquas as they worked their way close to the tryline on a few occasions, but were shut out by the determined defensive effort. They finally broke through for their first try in the 24th minute and earned another five minutes later, which added to a an early penalty goal, handed them a 15-0 lead at the break.
The team built on this momentum in the second half and added two more tries to stretch their lead to 29-0. Griquas hit back with a late try to go down 29-7. One can not be blamed to wonder if the loss against Boland did not take the passion out of the WP team.
Scorers :
Western Province Tries : Nivan Petersen, Thoubaan Gabriels, Albertus Horn, Adrian Alberts Conversions : Nivan Petersen (3) Penalties : Nivan Petersen
Griquas Tries : Winston Jordaan Conversions : Salmon Jacobus Oberholzer
Valke 20 - 12 Zimbabwe
Scorers :
Valke Tries : Alden Deysel Wesley Noeth Conversions : Dylan Schwartz (2) Penalties : Dylan Schwartz (2)
Zimbabwe Tries : Lameck Vheriwa Patrick Chivanga Conversions : Tabonga Ralph Ngonyamo
Leopards 7 - 39 SWD
The SWD looked, as usual to run every ball they could vs the leopards who tried to slow the game down with their heavy forwards. The SWD only managed complete control in the second halve scoring 22 points. SWD, were in fine form from the outset in their clash against the Leopards and scored their first half tries in the eighth minute as they used their skills and speed to outplay the Leopards.
The George side led 17-7 at the break and they continued to build on this momentum in the second half to add their more tries to take their tally for the match to seven. The Leopards, meanwhile, battled to make their presence felt and had to settle for a 39-7 defeat.
Scorers :
Leopards Tries : Estian Heyneke Conversions : Estian Heyneke
SWD Tries : Pieter Maritz, Peplar Le Roux (2), Clyde Lewis, Dillan Pieterse (2), Zinedine Robinson Conversions : Clyde Lewis (2)
Boland XV 0 - 42 Border
Scorers :
Border Tries : Othandwayo Sixolile Nogqala, Uzile Tele, Sakhekile Dingile (2), Thabang Vuyo Maifo (2), Avuyile Mabece Conversions : Sibalomzi Mqeni (2) Penalties : Sibalomzi Mqeni
Lions 31 - 35 Bulls
The Itec Blue Bulls, were firmly in control in the first half against the Bidvest Golden Lions as their forwards and backs combined well, while they backed this up with solid support play. This effective performance earned them four first-half tries to only two by their Gauteng counterparts for 25-14 halftime lead.
The Blue Bulls added their fifth try shortly after the break to extend their lead, but the Golden Lions fought back with intent to score three tries in 14 minutes to reduce the deficit, but a handy penalty by the Pretoria team three minutes before the final whistle inflated their lead sufficiently to hold on for the 35-31 victory.
An Exciting match according a lot of people but I must admit a bit of a bore to me. Attack was everything with very little of rugby being played. These two sides will find it difficult going when facing a team like the Sharks who is playing a constructive and exciting game.
Scorers :
Lions Tries : Zihan Coetzee Franco Schutte (2), Jordan Coetzee, Munashe Chaitezwi Conversions : Muzilikazi Manyike (3)
Blue Bulls Tries : Janco Uys, Diego Appollis, Julian Bogner, Juandre Sabbat Conversions : Regard Roets Penalties : Regard Roets
Boland 5 - 10 KZN
The Sharks defended like demons to shut out an over-eager Boland side in the first half, who created several try-scoring chances but battled to convert them into points due to errors at crucial times. The Sharks, meanwhile, showed composure and a calmness on attack and defence, which they supported with a strong counter-attack. But with Boland showing heart on defence, the Durban side scored the only points of the first half compliments of a penalty goal.
The Sharks came out firing in the second half and their efforts paid off with a well-worked try for a 10-0 lead seven minutes after play resumed. But Boland hit back with a try eight minutes before the final whistle to keep alive their hopes of a victory. These hopes, however, were dashed as neither team was able to add to their score.
The game of the day with the Sharks knowing exactly what to do to win this one. My type of rugby.
Scorers :
Boland Tries : Christoffel Grobbelaar
Sharks Tries : Jaden Cyril Hendrikse, Jhaques Duncan Thyssen Conversions : Jaden Cyril Hendrikse Penalties : Jaden Cyril Hendrikse
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