The Pumas made an early statement in the national U16 tournament when they scored six tries in the 38-10 win over Griquas. Flyhalf Matthew Abbey contributed 13 points – four conversions and a try – to the Mpumalanga side’s cause.

The Golden Lions proved too strong for the Valke, scoring seven tries in a 39-7 victory. Replacement hooker Clinton Agu touched down twice for the Gauteng team.

The Western Province XV claimed the biggest win of the day, beating Free State XV 50-3. Eight tries were scored by the Cape side, with centres Markus Miller and Tristan Joubert bagging a brace apiece. Miller slotted five conversions to finish with a personal tally of 22 points.

There were several tight encounters on day one, with the Leopards edging the Limpopo Blue Bulls 15-12, and the Blue Bulls overcoming a nine-point half-time deficit to beat the Sharks 31-27. Meanwhile, Free State U16 fought back after trailing at the break to down Border 29-20.

In the last fixture of the day, WP U16 scored seven tries in their 41-12 win over Boland.

The Grant Khomo Week will continue from 08h30 on Tuesday, with Boland set to face the Leopards on the A field, and Zimbabwe scheduled to play the Free State XV on the B field.

Leopards and Limpopo had a tight match at Boland Landbou.

Leopards and Limpopo had a tight match at Boland Landbou.

U16 Grant Khomo Week Results – Day One:

Pumas 38 (10), Griquas 10 (10)

Eastern Province 26 (0), Border County Districts 14 (0)

Golden Lions 39 (10), Valke 7 (0)

Zimbabwe 10 (10), Namibia 12 (7)

Sharks 27 (19), Blue Bulls 31 (10)

Western Province XV 50 (26), Free State XV 3 (3)

Leopards 15 (10), Limpopo Blue Bulls 12 (7)

Griffons 12 (12), South Western Districts 36 (12)

Free State 29 (7), Border 20 (13)

Western Province 41 (29), Boland 12 (0)

The Sharks on attack against the Blue Bulls.

The Sharks on attack against the Blue Bulls.

Day Two Fixtures:

08h30: Boland v Leopards, A Field

08h30: Zimbabwe v Free State XV, B Field

09h50: Border v Eastern Province, A Field

09h50: Namibia v Border Country Districts, B Field

11h10: Western Province XV v Pumas, A Field

11h10: Griffons v Limpopo Blue Bulls, B Field

12h30: South Western Districts v Sharks, A Field

12h30: Valke v Griquas, B Field

13h50: Free State v Golden Lions, A Field

15h20: Western Province v Blue Bulls, A Field