WP close out 2022 Craven Week with victory

DHL Western Province kept their unbeaten record at the SA Rugby Under-18 Craven Week at Rondebosch Boys’ High School intact with a 29-21 win over the Blue Bulls in the unofficial final of the tournament on Saturday, giving the host union the bragging rights at this showpiece event of the schools’ rugby calendar.

The Pumas, who earlier in the day walked away with a 47-12 win over Griquas, were the only other team at the tournament to win all three matches.

Eight matches were played on the final day of the tournament, which had made a return to the rugby landscape for the first time since 2019, and again it did not disappoint in terms of quality or of tries scored.

DHL Western Province had a strong second half effort to thank for their overall honours.

The Blue Bulls scored first before the home side replied and it was anyone’s game at the break. An intercept try by WP and a lovely rolling maul shortly afterwards eased them into a good lead. Although the Blue Bulls had the last say with a well-worked try in the final stages, they ran out of time and had to concede to their Cape opponents.

The Pumas were in rampant form against Griquas, winning 47-12 to complete a fine tournament for the Lowvelders.

FinGlobal Boland left their best effort for last after defeats on Monday and Wednesday and edged past Leopards 21-14 for their first win of the tournament. Early in the day, the DHL Western Province XV also scored a good 40-36 win over the Free State, leaving the Bloemfontein side winless at a tournament where they have a proud record.

The Sharks also finished strongest in their match against SWD to win 20-13. They held a 15-8 lead at the break in a tight affair and will thank their good defensive organisation for this win.

Eastern Province also finished the tournament in a flurry, scoring ten tries in their 66-17 win over Limpopo Blue Bulls, while Thepa Trading Motswako Griffons scored eight tries in their 48-7 win over the Valke. The Golden Lions also left the Tinkie Heyns Field with a smile after beating Border 31-23 in a very entertaining match.

Logan Muller (Eastern Province) finished the tournament as top points’ scorer (43) followed closely by Jandre Genis (42) of the DHL Western Province XV. Grant de Jager (Pumas) finished top try scorer with four touchdowns.

The Pumas won all three their matches at the 2022 tournament.

DHL Western Province XV 40 (26), Free State 36 (14)

WP - Tries: Sampie Joubert (2), Joe Bezuidenhout, Gino Cupido (2) Jandre Genis. Conversions: Genis (3), Christoff de Bruyn (2).

Free State - Tries: Nick Greyling (2), Casper Badenhorst, Nel van Heerden, Benito Goeda. Conversions: Bradley Giddy (4). Penalty goal: Giddy.

FinGlobal Boland 21 (10), Leopards 14 (7)

Boland - Tries: Jeandre Overmeyer, Jovawn Visagie. Conversion: Jayden Fortuin. Penalty goals: Fortuin (3).

Leopards - Tries: Grant Coetzee, Kraynu Kruger. Conversions: Erich Snyman (2).

Pumas 47 (28), Griquas 12 (5)

Pumas - Tries: Njabulo Shabangu (2), Francios Odendaal, Danny van Staden, Grant de Jager (2), Philasande Ntshapela. Conversions: Van Staden (2), Hardus Visser (4).

Griquas - Tries: AJ Wiese, Elridge Jack. Conversions: Juan Agenbag.

Sharks 20 (15), SWD 13 (8)

Sharks - Tries: Ethan Bester, Deano Boesak, Dwight Pietersen. Conversion: AJ Knoetze. Penalty goal: Knoetze.

SWD - Tries: Ramon Uys, Camden Schoeman. Penalty goal: JT Strydom.

Eastern Province 66 (35), Limpopo Blue Bulls 17 (7)

EP - Tries: Max du Pisani, MC Kruger, Liselihle Maphekula, Burrie van Heerden (2), Logan Muller, Luvuyo Nkomphela, Mtika Oliphant, Batho Hlekani (2). Conversions: Muller (8).

Limpopo - Tries: Johan van den Heever, Joy Ngobeni, Letlotlo Mohlala. Conversion: Tristan Brits.

Thepa Trading Motswako Griffons 48 (24), Valke 17 (0)

Griffons - Tries: Oupa Appollis, Tiaan Naude, Connie Timmie, Jayleigh Arends, Ruben Kruger, Ayanda Silwanyana, Andru Mulder, Curt Smith. Conversions: Nalei Kiewiet (2), Kruger (2).

Valke - Tries: Morne Johnson, Oregopotse Shilubane, Christopher Swart. Conversion: Jaden Bantom.

Golden Lions 31 (17), Border 23 (13)

Lions - Tries: Sifiso Magwaza, Ceano Everson, Tylor Sefoor, Joel Leotlela. Conversions: Sefoor (4), Penalty goal: Sefoor.

Border - Tries: Dewan Du Preez (2). Conversions: Kyle van Wyk, Lesego Bota. Penalty goals: Bota (3).

DHL Western Province 29 (14), Blue Bulls 21 (7)

WP - Tries: Luca Bakkes (2), Gazza Blackmore, Luke Graham. Conversions: Thurlon Williams (3). Penalty goal: Williams.

Blue Bulls - Tries: Abri van der Westhuizen, Liam Dick, Luyolo Doyi. Conversions: Tireque Apolles, Stehan Heymans (2).

SA u18 Craven Week Craven Week

Boks determined to finish 2024 on a strong note...

Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick and captain Siya Kolisi said on Friday the Boks are determined to deliver a co...

SA Sevens’ future on display with 'A'-sides in Dub...

The next generation of South Africa’s sevens talent will be on display next weekend when the Springbok Sevens ‘A’ and Sp...

Experienced look to Blitzbok squad for Dubai opene...

Springbok Sevens head coach Philip Snyman has included 10 players who have tasted glory at the Emirates Dubai 7s in his ...

Fassi wants to stay after fighting his way back...

Springbok fullback Aphelele Fassi was adamant that he would continue giving everything he can on the field to maintain h...

Ackermann returns to SA as coaching consultant...

Former Springbok lock and SA 'A' head coach Johan Ackermann will return to South Africa after seven years abroad to add ...

Pollard: “Boks will not take a step back”

Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard, who will become the 64th player to lead the national side when the Boks host Wales in their second Castle Lager Incoming Series Test in Bloemfontein on Saturday, said they expected an epic encounter against the visitors but they would not take a step back.

Raubenheimer names Bok Women’s squad for Japan tour

Springbok Women coach Stanley Raubenheimer named a squad of 30 players for the two Test series against Japan later this month, which include the recently-capped Azisa Mkiva and Nokubonga Siko after both players made their international debuts against Namibia in the Rugby Africa Women's Cup in June.

SA Schools squads named for 2022

The SA Schools selectors on Friday named two squads of 23 players each to represent the SA Schools and SA Schools A teams in 2022, with Kathleho Lynch (SA Schools) and Cobus van Dyk (SA Schools A) named as coaches.

Boks bracing themselves for big battle in Bloem

The Springboks are bracing themselves for a big battle at one of the toughest grounds for visiting teams in the country as they prepare for the second Test against Wales in the Castle Lager Incoming Series at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Junior Boks to meet Wales in Summer Series finale

Junior Springboks coach Bafana Nhleko expect a massive challenge from Wales when the two sides meet in the final of the Under-20 Six Nations Summer Series on Tuesday, following the Welsh’s thrilling 23-20 win over hosts Italy on Wednesday evening in Treviso.

Boks determined to go to Cape Town to win Wales series

Springbok fullback Warrick Gelant and flank Deon Fourie yesterday attributed their 13-12 defeat against Wales in their second Castle Lager Incoming Series test to mistakes and said the team was determined to go to Cape Town and win the series.

Junior Bok midfield dynamo relishes Summer Series final challenge

Junior Springbok outside centre Ethan James has been ever-present in the side's unbeaten run at the Under-20 Six Nations Summer Series in Verona, and the Cape-based midfielder is expected to wear the No 13 jersey again on Tuesday when South Africa face Wales in the final match of the tournament in Treviso.

Relive the action from Wales' victory in Bloem

Wales scored a late try to square up the Castle Lager Incoming Series in Bloemfontein.

Boks determined to improve to clinch Wales series

Springbok assistant coach Deon Davids and prop Frans Malherbe said the team were determined to improve after suffering a heart-breaking 13-12 defeat against Wales in the Castle Lager Incoming Series in Bloemfontein last weekend as they began their preparations on Monday for the tournament finale in Cape Town on Saturday.