The 2024 Stadio U18 Craven Week started in a sunny Krugersdorp with the boys dishing up some brilliant play.
Western Province 36-26 Sharks
Western Province was among the big winners on an eventful opening day at the U18 Stadio Craven Week staged at Hoërskool Monument in Krugersdorp.
WP started well in their battle against the Sharks, but the complexion of the game changed after the KwaZulu-Natalians scored a converted try in the 60th minute and reduced the deficit to four points.
The Sharks’ chances of completing a comeback victory received a further boost after two WP players were shown red cards for separate foul-play offences. But the 13-man WP side held its nerve in the closing stages, and flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed slotted two late penalties to seal a 36-26 win. Ahmed finished the game with a personal tally of 21 points.
Scorers:
Western Province: Tries: Truspe Schoeman, Josh Neill, Adeeb Boraine. Conversions: Yaqeen Ahmed (3). Penalties: Yaqeen Ahmed (5).
Sharks: Tries: Zingce Simka, Aka Boqwana. Conversions: Luke Davidson (2). Penalties: Luke Davidson (4).
Eastern Province 24-14 Border
The Eastern Province started like a house on fire and led 18-07 at the halftime break. The second half was a lot more even and despite both teams spreading the ball wide the defence of the teams was extremely well organised.
Scorers:
Eastern Province: Tries: Damien Witbooi, Likhona Kepe. Conversion: Praise Matsila. Penalties: Caleb Friskin (2), Praise Matsila (2)
Border: Tries: Thina Fenako, Phikolomzi Mtyalela. Conversions: Landile Gidi, Ryan Denston.
Boland 41-21 Leopards
Once again the two teams showed their willingness to spread the ball wide and run at every opportunity, however, it must be said that the defence was not up to scratch. The Boland started like a house on fire and dominated the first half and led 17-00 at the halftime break. Despite a much-improved effort by the Leopards in the second half, the Leopards' lead in the first half were adequate to secure them a win with 20 points.
Scorers:
Boland: Tries: Mj Van Der Westhuizen, Llewellyn Fransman, Philip Du Plessis, Leo De Wet, Shaanjay Lucas. Conversions: Luan Giliomee (5). Penalties: Luan Giliomee.
Leopards: Tries: Kg Legodi, Chris Dennis, Francois Dumond. Conversions: Chris Dennis (3).
South Western Districts 41 -34 Valke
Both teams dished up some brilliant handling and running rugby with the lead changing hands several times. The Valke led 19-17 at the halftime break, however, SWD started the second half like a house on fire and opened up a substantial lead. The Valke started a fightback during the last quarter, however, at that stage, SWD already did enough to secure the first win of the day. SWD scored seven to the five tries by the Valke.
Scorers:
South Western Districts: Tries: Erick Steyn, Gareth Maree, Lee-winn Pretorius (2), Kurt Coetzee, Reinhart Viljoen, Henro Kuhn. Conversions: Elgernon Meyer, Kurt Coetzee.
Valke: Tries: Danre Pike (2), Zaide Rippenaar, Matthew Bergman (2). Conversions: Kayle Venter (3). Penalty: Kayle Venter.
