U19: Leopards crawl closer to the top

The Leopards this past weekend succeeded in their mission to reduce the gap between themselves, the Sharks and the Golden Lions on the Under-19 provincial championship log as they delivered a fine performance to topple Free State.

The bonus-point victory allowed them to match the third-placed Sharks on the log with 18 points, while they now trail the second-placed Golden Lions by only six points. This means they could work their way into contention for a home semifinal if they build on this form in the next few weeks.

In the weekend’s matches, the Golden Lions defeated Western Province 31-26 in Johannesburg, the Leopards beat Free State 34-16 in Bloemfontein and the Blue Bulls stretched their winning streak to six matches by beating the Sharks 28-19 in Durban.

Golden Lions 31-26 Western Province

At Ellis Park, the Golden Lions played their way into a convincing 24-11 half-time lead against Western Province with a fine display of attacking rugby. No.8 Jano Venter crashed over the try-line for the team’s first five-pointer in the 13th minute after a few tight exchanges, but Western Province flyhalf Christopher Smith hit back two minutes later. The Lions, however, made the most of their opportunities as the half progressed, which earned them two more tries by Koch Marx and Carlisle Nel.

The second half proved to be much tighter, as the visitors stamped their authority, resulting in a thrilling half. Western Province had the first say as Pieter Schoonraad scored their second try early on, but the Lions cancelled it out as Nel scored his second minutes later.

This try also secured the team’s bonus point. Western Province fought back and earned the rewards with Sebastian Ferreira crossing the try-line late in the game, but the Lions’ first-half lead proved to be enough to secure the victory.

Scorers:

For the Golden Lions:

Tries: Nel 2, Venter, Marx

Cons: Hewit 4

Pen: Hewit

For Western Province:

Tries: Smith, Schoonraad, Ferreira

Con: Smith

Pens: Smith 3

Teams:

Golden Lions: 15 Barend Daniel Herbst , 14 Chad McKay, 13 Koch Peter Marx, 12 Daniel Joseph Arries, 11 Carlisle Nel, 10 Brandan Hewit, 9 Akhona Sihunu, 8 Jano Venter, 7 Cyle Justin Brink, 6 Sikhumbuzo Thabo Mabuza, 5 Jean-Pierre du Preez, 4 Victor Kutlwano Sekekete, 3 Quinton Terblanche, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Dylan Smith (captain).

Replacements: 16 Rynard Daniel Snyman, 17 Francois Petrus van Heerden, 18 Lukas Gouws, 19 Jaun Jacques Vorster, 20 Christiaan Jan Petrus Meyer, 21 Erwin Ambrose Harris, 22 Gerdus van der Walt, 23 Kyle van Dalen.

Western Province: 15 Jason Worrall, 14 Christiaan Jacobus Mouton, 13 Lindokuhle Michael Mvelase-Julyan, 12, Michal Lukasz Haznar, 11 Dalen Kristan Goliath, 10 Christopher Smith, 9 Pieter Eduard Schoonraad, 8 Joshua Patrick Moon, 7 Luke van der Smit, 6 Johan Roual de Villiers, 5 Jan-Frederik Uys (captain), 4 Sebastian Roche Ferreira, 3 Michael van Tonder, 2 Chad Solomon, 1 Liam Chad Hendricks.

Replacements: 16 Ramone Samuels, 17 Nathan Gogela, 18 Wesley Edward Adonis, 19 Sebastian Negri, 20 Ruan Pieter Rossouw, 21 Solomon Petrus Ferreira, 22 Jonathan Bredell, 23 Jason Michael Morris.

Free State 16-34 Leopards

In Bloemfontein, the Leopards produced a spectacular second-half display to outclass Free State and secure their fourth bonus point for tries in six outings. The first half was hard fought as the teams threw everything at each other, with the Leopards scoring two tries while Free State wing Stephen Rautenbach kicked three penalties for a 12-9 half-time score.

The home team came out strongly after the break and took the lead with Jan Venter scoring a try. But the floodgates opened for the Leopards in the last 20 minutes as they controlled proceedings and made the most of their try-scoring chances. This earned them three more tries, for a total of five, which pushed the match out of reach for Free State.

Scorers:

For Free State:

Try: Venter

Con: Rautenbach

Pens: Rautenbach 3

For the Leopards:

Tries: Makhayhu, Rudolph, Moremi, Boddington 2

Cons: Swart, Barnard 2

DG: Barnard

Teams:

Free State: 15 Barend Jacobus Marx Bornman, 14 Stephen Rautenbach, 13 Stephan Janse van Rensburg (captain), 12 Len le Roux, 11 Charlton Craig Koopman, 10 Pieter Jordaan, 9 Mthokozisi Cyprial Mkhabela, 8 Jan Albert Venter, 7 Sihle Andile Siyazamkela Ngxabi, 6 Stefan Roan Koen, 5 Francois Jones, 4 Casper Hendrik Fourie, 3 Henco Wilhelm van der Westhuizen, 2 Markus Odendaal, 1 Marthinus Johannes Oosthuizen.

Replacements: 16 Cameron van Heerden, 17 Petrus Kyle Senekal, 18 Gilbert Chalmers, 19 Jean-Luke Armand van Zyl, 20 Louis Gideon Venter, 21 Warren Johan Potgieter, 22 Donavan Graham Gissing, 23 Zybrand Louwrens Lombaard.

Leopards: 15 Pieter Wilhelm Esterhuizen, 14 Lloyd Dirk Greeff, 13 Lourens Peter Boddington, 12 Andries Christoffel du Plooy, 11 Dean Stokes, 10 Cornelius Johannes Swart, 9 Chriswill Bradley September, 8 Jeandre Rudolph (captain), 7 Sias Koen, 6 Estehan Visagie, 5 Gerhard Frederick Cloete, 4 Marcus Christiaan Brand, 3 Dirk Johannes Jacobus Botha, 2 Roche Henry Christopher Steenkamp, 1 Kwena Collins Moremi.

Replacements: 16 Thomas Andries Dreyer, 17 Jackson Conrad Hulley, 18 Werner Haman, 19 Derek Johannes Taylor, 20 Shandro Leathan Wilvin Issel, 21 Janko Barnard, 22 Blessing Makhavhu, 23 Jandre Venter.

Sharks 19-28 Blue Bulls

The clash in Durban was thrilling from the outset as the Sharks and Blue Bulls gave their all, resulting in a tightly-fought first half. So closely matched were the teams they each earned two penalties and a converted try to enter the break at 13-13.

Two more penalties by Sharks flyhalf Jean-Luc du Preez handed the home team the lead a few minutes into the second half. But this proved the be the side’s last points, as the Blue Bulls found their form and began to take advantage of the holes in the defence.

With their attack functioning well, props Wilco Louw and Pierre Schoeman dotted down. Another penalty by flyhalf Kobus Marais allowed them to stretch their unbeaten run in the series to six matches.

Scorers:

For the Sharks:

Try: Barend Potgieter

Con: Du Plessis

Pens: Du Plessis 4

For the Blue Bulls:

Tries: Gordon, Schoeman, Louw

Cons: Marais 2

Pens: Marais 3

Teams:

Sharks: 15 Colin Willemse, 14 Michael Cloete, 13 Neil Kobus Maritz, 12 Sandile Kubeka, 11 Alrin Edgar Eksteen, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Cameron Robin Wright, 8 Thembalethu Ray Williams, 7 Barend Jackobus Potgieter, 6 Jonas Mikalcius, 5 Pieter Johannes Grobler, 4 Hendrik Johannes Botha, 3 Bartholomeus Gabriel le Roux, 2 Christopher Timothy de Beer (captain), 1 Stephan Morkel.

Replacements: 16 Roan Gordon Dalzell, 17 Michael John Downer, 18 Stefan Hugo van Schalkwyk, 19 Petrus Johannes Greyling, 20 Philip Odendaal, 21 Lotter Mathias Pretorius, 22 Wion Jacobus Robbertse, 23 Nkululeko Marwana.

Blue Bulls: 15 Ganfried May, 14 Marcus Avril Kleinbooi, 13 Daniel David Kriel, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Keagon Gordon, 10 Kobus Marais, 9 Juan-Phillip Smith, 8 Hendrik Willem Viljoen, 7 Cornelius Haman Cooper, 6 Christiaan Hendrik Massyn, 5 Jean Droste, 4 Justin Basson, 3 Nqoba Mxoli, 2 Cornelius Wilhelmus Els, 1 Pierre Schoeman (captain).

Replacements: 16 Arno van Wyk, 17 Wilco Louw, 18 Arthur Bobby de Wee, 19 Abraham Carel Swart, 20 Cameron Anthony, 21 Leighton-Ras Marcelino van Wyk, 22 Christiaan van Dijk, 23 Arend Johannes Bannink.

Under-19 provincial championship log (under headings played, won, lost, drew, points for, points against, points difference, tries for, tries against, loss bonus, tries bonus, points):

Division A

Blue Bulls: 6 – 6 – 0 – 0 – 250 – 83 – 167 – 34 – 9 – 0 – 4 – 28

Golden Lions: 6 – 5 – 1 – 0 – 143 – 98 – 45 – 19 – 12 – 1 – 3 – 24

Sharks: 6 – 4 – 2 – 0 – 168 – 140 – 28 – 19 – 18 – 0 – 2 – 18

Leopards: 6 – 3 – 3 – 0 – 156 – 177 – -21 – 23 – 21 – 2 – 4 – 18

Western Province: 6 – 1 – 4 – 1 – 169 – 136 – 33 – 22 – 17 – 3 – 1 – 10

Free State: 6 – 1 – 4 – 1 129 – 202 – -73 – 16 – 27 – 0 – 2 – 8   

Border: 6 – 0 – 6 – 0 – 62 – 241 – -179 – 7 – 36 – 0 – 0 – 0

Top points scorers:

86 – Kobus Marais (three tries, 28 conversions, five penalties)

64 – Christopher Smith (one try, 16 conversions, nine penalties)

60 – Jean-Luc du Plessis (two tries, seven conversions, 12 penalties)