Western Province XV overturned a nine-point half-time deficit to beat the Golden Lions on day four of the FNB U18 Craven Week, while the Griffons, Pumas and Blue Bulls were also victorious at Grey High School in Gqeberha on Thursday. WP XV maintained their perfect record at the FNB U18 Craven Week tournament after downing the Lions on Thursday, while the Griffons, Pumas and Bulls bounced back from Tuesday’s defeats.
Golden Lions 33-43 Western Province XV
The Lions had a good start to the match, and after 8 minutes of play, Diandro Botha crashed over for the Lions' first try, following wave after wave of attacks. Jaydon Viljoen added the extra two points. 7 minutes later, Armand van Eck scored a brilliant individual 50m try, following the conversion by Viljoen, the Lions led 14-00. Thomas Saunders was the WP XV reply with a great try following several players handling the ball. Travis Pheiffer converted to cut the Lions' lead to 14-07 after 20 minutes of play in the first half. Ruan Genis stepped and then ran 40m to score a great try to extend the Lions’ lead to 19-07, with 7 minutes still to play in the first half. With a minute to play, Travis Pheiffer converted a penalty to cut the Lions' lead to 19-10 going into the second half.
WP XV started the second half like a house on fire, and Liam de Villiers put Luhan Hattingh into space to score the first try of the second half. Pheiffer converted to cut the Lions’ lead to 2 points after 3 minutes of play. The Lions patiently built their attack with wave after wave of attacks, and eventually Glodi Tshipamba crashed over. Viljoen converted, extending the Lions' lead to 26-17 after 11 minutes of play. A cruel bounce favoured the WP XV, from which they sent the ball wide to Thomas Saunders, who crashed over in the corner for his second try of the match. The Lions replied when Tidimalo Moeketsan cut the defence of the WP XV to pieces and scored a great try. Viljoen converted to extend the Lions' lead to 33-22, with 14 minutes still to play. However, WP XV scored a long-distance try when Luca Orgill crashed over. Pheiffer converted, and three minutes later Max Malan scored following a quick tap. Pheiffer converted to extend the WP XV lead to 36-33. Thomas Saunders followed with a great try, extending WP XV's lead to 43-33, following the conversion by Pheiffer. WP XV’s brilliant last 10 minutes secured them a 43-33 win.
Teams:
Obaro Golden Lions: 1 Diandro Botha, 16 Siphosamandosi Nkosingphile Cele, 3 Stephan Botha, 4 Robert Hurn, 5 Glodi Tshipamba, 20 Siyabonga Ncube, 7 Kean Lourens, 8 Armand Van Eck, 9 Shaye Lourens. 10 Jaydon Viljoen, 11 Ruan Genis, 12 Ethan Lourens, 23 Phano Letsie, 14 Lethabo Mashao, 15 Ndzalama Mbhalati. Replacements: 2 Jeandre Van Der Merwe, 17 Siya Nkomo, 18 Mako Mandizha, 19 Llewellyn Lourens, 6 Mihle Dyakala, 21 Prince Agu, 22 Tidimalo Moeketsane, 23 Blessing Manoreng.
Western Province XV: 17 Likhona Filtana, 16 Naeem Mohammed, 3 Deen Fortuin, 4 Sebastian Celliers, 5 Ad Faul, 6 Yanos Molnar, 7 Luhan Hattingh, 8 Christoffel Nel, 9 Rauf Ahmed, 10 Travis Pheiffer, 14 Cadynn Samuels, 12 Albertus Nel, 13 Luca Orgill, 23 Farrel Dido, 11 Thomas Saunders. Replacements: 16 Ridah Johnson, 1 Max Malan, 18 JG van den Berg, 5 Jobello Ezeh, 20 Henre Valentyn, 21 Liam de Villiers, 22 Kyle Snyers, 15 Dante Davids.
Blue Bulls 59-19 Griquas
The Bulls struck from the kickoff with brilliant interplay between their backs, and Drewyn Baron beat the last defenders to score the Bulls' first try. Ruan Fluks converted. After 8 minutes of play, Stefan van der Vyfer scored off the back of a line-out maul, which Fluks converted to extend the Bulls' lead to 14-00. After 25 minutes of play in the first half, Drewyn Baron picked up a loose ball and passed to Waylin Papier to score. Fluks converted. The Bulls continued their onslaught, and Thando Telelo crashed past several defenders. Fluks converted, extending the Bulls' lead to 28-00 with 7 minutes still to play. Thereafter, Waylin Papier and Joshua Gouws added their names to the try-scoring sheet to secure the Bulls a 40-00 lead going into the second half.
A fumble by the Bulls in their own in-goal area allowed LJ Buys to score a great try after 5 minutes of play in the second half. The Bulls replied when Charl Els crashed over off the back of a lineout maul. er dJD Isaacs crashed on a grubber from van Heerden, who converted the try to cut the Bulls’ lead to 45-12 after 13 minutes of play in the second half. Franklin Steven was put away with a great pass by van Heerden to score the Griquas' 3rd try. Dylan Stumke scored a great try following several Bulls’ players handling the ball. Flusk converted to extend the Bulls' lead to 52-19. Martin van Niekerk scored the final try of the match to secure a 59-19 win for the Bulls.
Teams:
Blue Bulls: 17 Thando Telelo, 2 Charl Els, 18 Hannes Nagel, 19 Matimu Maluleke, 5 Martin Van Niekerk, 6 Stefan Van Der Vyver, 16 Riyaan Wilson, 20 Mbala Ndima, 21 Tilon Baron, 10 Ruan Fluks, 22 Waylin Papier, 12 Dylan Stumke, 13 Joshua Gouws, 14 Garrith Warie, 15 Drewyn Baron. Replacements: 8 Almero Gerritsen, 1 Andre Van Wyk, 3 Ruben Lombard, 4 Josua Johannes Fourie, 7 Caleb Pretorius, 9 Ethan Williams, 14 Ofentse Matlebjane, 11 Jody Abrahams.
Suzuki Griquas: 17 Francois De Boer, 16 Robert Immelman, 18 Jeandre Kuhn, 4 Marius Coetzer, 5 MG Van Greuning, 20 Janco Adriaanse, 7 Franklin Stevens, 8 Heinrich Swart, 9 Vinchenzo Davids, 10 JG Van Heerden, 21 Duran Makoni, 12 Bokamoso Dihemo, 13 LJ Buys, 14 Mikyle Muller, 15 Tyler Campher. Replacements: 2 Wian Maritz, 1 C-jay Meiring, 3 Pako Kopeledi, 19 Karel Du Plessis, 6 Tiaan Serfontein, 11 Jay-dee Isaacs, 22 Ettiene Brittian, 23 Kabelo Motlharo.
Border 14-54 Pumas
The Pumas had a dominant start to the match, and Obhuhle Nyumba scored off the back of a maul to give the Pumas a 05-00 lead after 12 minutes of play in the first half. Three minutes later, Siphesihle Marule bulldozed over and past defenders of the Border to score a brilliant power-try. After 18 minutes of play, Pumas took a quick tap and soft hands by Obhuhle Nyumbafed put Vian Louw away for an easy try which Buhle Mphahlaza converted. With 5 minutes to play to play Buhle Mphahlaza crashed over in the corner to extend the Pumas' lead to 22-00, quickly followed by captain Vian Louw, attacking from the back of a maul to score his second try of the half. The Pumas led 27-00 at the halftime break.
Buhle Mphahlaza converted a penalty after 7 minutes in the second half. Eight minutes later, Dewald du Toit crashed over following a quick pick-and-drive. Buhle Mphahlaza converted, extending the Pumas' lead to 37-00. Iviwe Kabale sped down the touchline to score Border’s first points of the match and cut the Pumas’ lead to 37-07 with 12 minutes still to play. Buhle Mphahlaza converted another penalty for the Pumas. With 6 minutes to play, the Pumas were awarded a second penalty try, extending their lead to 47-07. With time running out, lock Kungawo Jaca ran a brilliant line to score Border’s second try. Pumas’ Ewan Van Der Merwe scored the final try of the match. He also converted the try to secure a 54-14 win for the Pumas.
Griffons 29-12 Valke
The Griffons showed early intent to attack from anywhere, and Shovee De Villiers sped down the touchline to open the scoring after 9 minutes of play in the first half. The Griffons were awarded a penalty try after 24 minutes of play, leading 12-00, which was the halftime score.
The Griffons got off to a great start in the second half when Qlin Booyse showed brilliant pace to cut the Valke’s defence in two and score their 3rd try to extend their lead to 27-00 after five minutes of play. Two minutes later, Shovee De Villiers scored his second try of the day. Jerado Tafel pounced on a bouncing ball and scored the Valke’s first points. Dian Botha converted to cut the Griffons’ lead to 24-07. Qlin Booyse scored his 4th try of the week, extending the Griffons' lead to 29-07. The final 20 minutes of the match lost most of its structure and was spoiled by the number of penalties. With time up, Duwayne Zeekoei scored the Valke’s 2nd try to cut the Griffons' lead to 29-12, which was the final score.
Teams:
Thepa Trading Griffons: 17 Tumelo Hlakoane, 2 Myburgh Jacobs, 18 Jahnru Janse Van Rensburg, 19 Regardt Joubert, 5 Jan-Franco Du Plessis, 16 Wessel Hattingh, 7 Reagan Krige, 12 Bul Rademeyer, 21 Ruchen Daniels, 22 Olereko Sebatana, 23 Shovee De Villiers, 20 Robert Van Der Vyver, 11 Brinzley Bastiaan, 14 Qlin Booyse, 10 Jadewin Solomons. Replacements: 1 Munro Heiberg, 3 Cobus Labuschagne, 6 Lourens Roux, 4 Cole Brown, 8 Lyle Afrikaner, 9 Wessel Van Niekerk, 13 Sizwe Qwabe, 15 Ave Schalk.
Valke: 1 Frans Uithaler, 16 Lwazi Molotja, 3 Elshaan Duminy, 4 Caylan Mc Lauchlin, 5 Ivan Botha, 2 Matthew Vermaak, 20 Marko Van Der Walt, 7 Juandre Pretorius, 9 Joseph Diesel, 12 Dian Botha, 22 Duwayne Zeekoei, 23 Vaughn Steynvaart, 13 Ethan Botha, 21 Liam Hector, 10 Ronaldo October. Replacements: 17 Junior Ngwenya, 18 Atreyu Jooste, 19 Marlo Van Der Merwe, 6 Victory Asumah, 8 Jaco Engelbrecht, 15 Joshua Van Rensburg, 11 Jerado Tafel, 14 Dave Mthizi.
15h30: Golden Lions v Western Province XV
