WP close out Craven Week with win against Bulls in final match

FINAL DAY WRAP: Western Province on Saturday 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, 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.

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

Western Province wrap up a thrilling Craven Week with a convincing 29-21 win over the Bulls in the final match 🏆 pic.twitter.com/T4GRpAMkHw

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) July 9, 2022

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.

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 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 Griffons scored eight tries in their 48-7 win over the Falcons. 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 Western Province XV. Grant de Jager (Pumas) finished top try scorer with four touchdowns.

The scores and scorers:

Western Province XV 40 (26) – Free State 36 (14)

The scorers:

For WP XV:
Tries: Sampie Joubert 2, Joe Bezuidenhout, Gino Cupido 2 Jandre Genis
Cons: Genis 3, Christoff de Bruyn 2

For Free State:
Tries: Nick Greyling 2, Casper Badenhorst, Nel van Heerden, Benito Goeda
Cons: Bradley Giddy 4
Pen: Giddy

Boland 21 (10) – Leopards 14 (7)

The scorers:

For Boland:
Tries: Jeandre Overmeyer, Jovawn Visagie
Con: Jayden Fortuin
Pens: Fortuin 3

For Leopards:
Tries: Grant Coetzee, Kraynu Kruger
Cons: Erich Snyman 2

Pumas 47 (28) – Griquas 12 (5)

The scorers:

For Pumas:
Tries: Njabulo Shabangu 2, Francios Odendaal, Danny van Staden, Grant de Jager 2, Philasande Ntshapela
Cons: Van Staden 2, Hardus Visser 4

For Griquas:
Tries: AJ Wiese, Elridge Jack
Cons: Juan Agenbag

Sharks 20 (15) – SWD 13 (8)

The scorers:

For Sharks:
Tries: Ethan Bester, Deano Boesak, Dwight Pietersen
Con: AJ Knoetze
Pen: Knoetze

For SWD:
Tries: Ramon Uys, Camden Schoeman
Pen: JT Strydom

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

The scorers:

For EP:
Tries: Max du Pisani, MC Kruger, Liselihle Maphekula, Burrie van Heerden 2, Logan Muller, Luvuyo Nkomphela, Mtika Oliphant, Batho Hlekani 2
Cons: Muller 8

For Limpopo:
Tries: Johan van den Heever, Joy Ngobeni, Letlotlo Mohlala
Con: Tristan Brits

Griffons 48 (24) – Falcons 17 (0)

The scorers:

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

For Falcons:
Tries: Morne Johnson, Oregopotse Shilubane, Christopher Swart
Con: Jaden Bantom

Golden Lions 31 (17) – Border 23 (13)

The scorers:

For Lions:
Tries: Sifiso Magwaza, Ceano Everson, Tylor Sefoor, Joel Leotlela
Cons: Sefoor 4
Pen: Sefoor

For Border:
Tries: Dewan Du Preez 2
Cons: Kyle van Wyk, Lesego Bota
Pens: Bota 3

Western Province 29 (14) – Blue Bulls 21 (7)

The scorers:

For WP:
Tries: Luca Bakkes 2, Gazza Blackmore, Luke Graham
Cons: Thurlon Williams 3
Pen: Williams

For Blue Bulls:
Tries: Abri van der Westhuizen, Liam Dick, Luyolo Doyi
Cons: Tireque Apolles, Stehan Heymans 2