It's Free State v WP in Craven Week 'Final'
Free State Cheetahs and Western Province will once again compete in the finale of the Coca-Cola Craven Week, as they did last year, following the Free Staters’ 30-20 victory over KwaZulu-Natal in Welkom on Thursday. Saturday’s final match will get underway at 1.15pm.
The Free Staters – who held a 15-13 half-time score against KZN – ran in four tries in their match against the Durban side thanks to the efforts of hooker Anrich Bitzi, who scored a brace, Innes Keyser and Gerhardus Olivier.
Exciting flyhalf Johan Goosen, who has been one of the outstanding players of the Craven Week, kicked two conversions and two penalties for Men from Bloemfontein.
Natal managed only two tries which were added by impressive inside centre Pat Howard and replacement back Keelin Bastew. Flyhalf Duncan Campbell kicked two conversions and two penalties.
WP, of course, tuned up for Saturday’s Craven Week ‘Final’ with an impressive 58-19 demolition of Eastern Province on Wednesday, having beaten the Golden Lions 20-3 in Day One action on Monday. (The Free Staters beat Border 35-13 on Day Two – Tuesday.)
Stand-in captain – and fullback – Craig Barry scored a hat-trick of tries and the Paul Roos star will be one of the many dangermen in the WP side come Saturday.
* Western Province defeated the Bloemfontein side 19-17 during in last year’s Craven Week ‘main match’ in East London.
Saturday’s Craven Week fixtures – Day Five:
9am: Border Country Districts vs Leopards
9am: Namibia vs Zimbabwe
9.05am: Griquas vs Griffons
10.20am: Eastern Province vs Border
10.20am: Blue Bulls vs Valke
10.25am: Lions vs Pumas
11.40am: South Western Districts vs Limpopo
11.40am: EP Country Districts vs Griquas CD
11.45am: Boland vs KwaZulu-Natal
1.15pm: Free State vs Western Province
