Under-13 Craven Week starts in Oudtshoorn
Match reports
The ostriches are not the only ones running barefooted in Oudtshoorn this week for the Under-13 Craven Week is on the go.
Eighteen teams are taking part, one each from the 14 South African rugby provinces, Limpopo, Border Country Districts, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
The top performers on the opening day were the Leopards, who scored 40 unanswered points against Griquas, and Border and the Golden Lions, who had comprehensive victories over Eastern Province and Namibia respectively. Hosts South Western Districts and the Griffons between them ensured that the day’s final fixture was one to savour.
Valke vs Boland, 16-10
The Valke proved too strong for their Boland counterparts, scoring a deserved 16-11 win. The youngsters from the East Rand led 11-0 at the break thanks to a try by wing Willie van Heerden and two penalties by scrumhalf Adriaan van Heerden. Boland scored two early tries in the second half-by centre Jonethan Langeveld and eighthman Johan Kirsten to narrow the deficit to 11-10 but the Valke had the final say when Willie van Heerden added his second try nine minutes from the end.
Mpumalanga vs Western Province, 17-14
Mpumalanga scored a narrow 17-14 win over Western Province after leading 12-7 at the break. The baby Pumas opened the scoring with a try by wing Neil Meyer, converted by flyhalf Juan Gunter. Western Province pulled a try back via prop Bathlo Crous five minutes later with flyhalf Jean Rossouw converting to make it 7-7. Meyer added a second try for the Pumas before the break. They extended their lead to 17-7 early in the second half through wing William Mkontho and Western Province later scored a consolation try through eighthman Renier Bruyns, which was converted by Rossouw.
Golden Lions vs Eastern Province, 31-8
The Golden Lions completely dominated the second half to score a comfortable 31-8 win over Eastern Province. The Lions’ “cubs” drew first blood with a try by scrumhalf Ruhann Kruger in the second minute, which was converted by flyhalf Andrew Smith. Eastern Province scored a try through wing Ruwellyn Isbell two minutes later and despite some enterprising play neither of the sides could add to the score and they changed sides with the Lions 7-5 ahead. The Lions added second half tries by wing François Grobler, centre De La Rey van Huyssteen, fullback Bradley Paulsen and prop Werner van Wyk, two of which were converted by Smith. Eastern Province could add only a solitary penalty via flyhalf Andreas Nel in the second half.
Blue Bulls vs KwaZulu, 15-3
The Blue Bulls win was set up by two well taken first half tries by impressive lossehead prop Timothy Nhlapo, one of which was converted by flyhalf François Tredoux to give the Bulls a 12-3 half-time lead. KwaZulu Natal’s points came via a penalty by fullback Anrich Rosslee. The only second half points came from a penalty by Tredoux. The KwaZulu Natal side was captained by scrumhalf Robert du Preez, the son of the former Springbok who captained the Leopards, then Western Transvaal, as a scrumhalf when he played at the Coca-Cola Under-13 Craven Week.
Leopards vs Griquas, 40-0
The Leopards made full use of their pace out wide to drive home their superiority. Fullback Bonkang Mokwetla was the hero for the Leopards, making use of his lightning speed to score four of his team’s six tries – two in each half. With the Leopards forwards dominating, Mokwetla needed but a yard of space to weave his magic, drawing rowdy applause from the crowd. The Leopards other tries were scored by wing Kagiso Mabe and centre Justin Kruger whilst flyhalf Gerhann Pieters was successful with five out of six conversions. The win sounded a clear message that the Leopards will be one of the teams to beat this week.
Free State vs Limpopo, 22-10
Free State controlled the second half to score a deserved 22-10 win over the Limpopo after the sides were locked at 10-10 at half-time. Free State took the lead in the third minute when scrumhalf Gideon Hought scored a try. Limpopo struck back with a tries by centre Nicephore Omba and eighthman Tiaan Gerber to move into a 10-5 lead but Free State levelled matters via a try by eighthman Henko Greyling close to half-time. Free State came into their own in the second period, adding tries by centre Marco Badenhorst and Greyling and a conversion by fullback Willem van Tonder to seal the victory.
Border vs Namibia, 38-5
Border went off the boil after a stunning first half but still secured a satisfactory 38-5 win over Namibia. It was all one-way traffic in the first half as Border ran in five tries without reply to lead 33-0 at the change. Tries were scored by hooker Jarryd Goddard, wing Ayabonga Masiba, flyhalf Justin Haynes, centre Siphumelele Msutwana and prop Yakha Qinela and Haynes added four conversions. Although Border extended their lead to 38-0 through wing Siyabonga Fopeni early in the second half, Namibia fought back well and managed to gain a fair share of the possession. They were rewarded with a consolation try by hooker Gert Lotter late in the game.
Zimbabwe vs Border Country Districts, 10-3
Zimbabwe withstood a spirited second half fightback by Border Country Districts to record a 10-3 win. After a tight first half, Zimbabwe broke the deadlock after the hooter when wing Carl Haparimwi went over in the corner to give his side a 5-0 lead at the break. It was a deserved lead for Zimbabwe, who had done most of the play. Zimbabwe extended their lead to 10-0 early in the second half when fullback Gareth Miekle rounded off after some sustained pressure. However, Border Country Districts were more competitive once they got their hands on the ball and finished the stronger of the two. Despite this they could not convert pressure into points and had to settle for a lone penalty goal kicked by fullback Mathemba Ndedu four minutes from time.
South Western Districts vs Griffons, 7-5
Hosts South Western Districts won a close encounter 7-5 over the Griffons. The baby Eagles started the game at frenetic pace and, in their haste, committed numerous infringements at the breakdown. The Griffons kept their composure, however, and were rewarded with the opening try when wing Ntadime Litabe rounded off after some good build-up play. The conversion was missed. South Western Districts did not let up and ensured themselves of a 7-5 half-time lead after some good continuity led to a try by eighthman John van Schalkwyk, which was converted by fullback André Venter. There was no further scoring in the second half as these two evenly-matched teams remained deadlocked. The Griffons had the better chances and were perhaps guilty of committing too many players to the breakdown.
Tuesday's fixtures:
All matches will be played at the Oudtshoorn Recreational Ground, starting at 09.30.
Zimbabwe vs Griffons
Eastern Province vs Griquas
Border Country Districts vs Namibia
Mpumalanga vs Limpopo
Boland vs KwaZulu Natal
South Western Districts vs Leopards
Golden Lions vs Border
Blue Bulls vs Free State
Valke vs Western Province
