Fixtures for Friday 21 June:
WP 31-22 Bulls
A two-try blitzkrieg by Western Province proved to be more than adequate to bet the Blue Bulls 31-22 in the main match of the final day of the 2024 Grant Khomo. The first half was an arm wrestle with the Bulls "dominating" for the most part of the half. The Bulls did well against the wind in the first half to trail 15-19. Everybody expected the Bulls to use the strong wind in the second half to dominate territory. However, Western Province's brilliant kicking and sublime handling on the attack kept the Bulls on the back foot for the majority of the second half. A late try by the Bulls was unfortunately a little too late.
The star of the match and a strong contender for player of the week was the Blue Bulls' winger Yuvrah George who bamboozled the WP defence to score three tries. Goerge scored six tries, which was the most for the week as well as the most points scored by a boy.
Scorers:
Western Province: Tries: Kwaza Gobingca, Ruan Lindeque, Tiaan Basson, Tevez Cupido, Nakeer Dustay. Conversions: Travis Pheiffer (3).
Blue Bulls: Tries: Yuvrah George (3). Conversions: Dylan Stumke (2). Penalty: Vihan Pretorius.
WP XV 33-36 EP
Hosts Eastern Province kicked a last-gasp penalty to defeat the WP XV 36-33. While it was a memorable finish by head coach Ashley Carolus’s men, you have to spare some sympathy for the WP players, who were both skilful and courageous. They lost all three of their matches by three points or less. Eastern Province led 21-18 at the halftime break in a match that the lead regularly changed hands. Eastern Province inside centre Ciaran Killian scored a hat-trick and will relive his moments of glory for many years to come.
Scorers:
Eastern Province: Tries: Zanick Carolus, Lucritia Magua, Ciaran Killian (3). Conversions: William Stevens (3), Tristan Kemp. Penalty: William Stevens.
Western Province XV: Tries: Jacques Hutton, Pierre Dreyer, Alvin Machinja, Laeeq Davids. Conversions: Achmat Behardien (2). Penalties: Achmat Behardien (2). Drop Goal: Cayden Snyman.
Free State 31-20 Boland
Golden Lions 66-24 Border
The Golden Lions cruised to a 66-24 win over Border and already led 33-10 at the halftime break. A lot of tired Border bodies on the field made it extra easy for the Lions who turned their tournament around despite their disappointing Round 1 loss against Boland.
Scorers:
Golden Lions: Tries: Jeandre Van Der Merwe, Armand Van Eck, Joel Akilo, Jaydon Viljoen, Juandre Ehlers (2), Tidimalo Moeketsane, Mako Mandizha, Luyanda Mbadamana, Phano Letsie. Conversions: Jaydon Viljoen (8).
Border: Tries: Yamkela Molose, Zearon Booysen, Khazimla Qavile, Ahlumile Gqwetya. Conversions: Liyema Tsoko (3).
Pumas 13-20 Leopards
The Leopards scored two tries in the first half to lead 10-03 at the halftime break, however, the Pumas started to claw their way back into the match and "drew" the second half as both teams scored two tries. The Leopards secured their second win of the Grant Khomo week and only lost to Griques on Wednesday (Day 2).
Scorers:
Leopards: Tries: De Wet Grobler (2), Aydan Willemse (2).
Pumas: Tries: Bulelani Mcira, Kamo Monkwe. Penalty: Buhle Mphahlaza.
Namibia 31-08 Zimbabwe
Kolisi Field:
11h30: Sharks v SWD
Pollock Oval:
10h20: Free State XV v Griffons
Pyot Field:
10h20: Border CD v Valke
11h30: Griquas v Limpopo Blue Bulls
