Grant Khomo Week's Results - Day 1
The Grant Khomo Week for Under-16 provincial teams kicked off in cool conditions at Kearsney College at Botha’s Hill outside of Durban.
The Week, first held in 2003, has grown in stature in recent years and is today regarded as an important indicator of the players that will go on to rEastern Provinceresent their Provinces at Under-18 level.
In the only upset of the day, Eastern Province beat the much-favoured Golden Lions 9-5 in an error-riddled encounter. Border were impressive in beating Griquas in the opening match of the day.
KwaZulu Natal vs Valke, 41-5
Strong running play and good interplay between forwards and backs proved too much for the Valke as hosts KwaZulu Natal won comfortably in the day’s main match. KwaZulu Natal eighthman Francois Kleinhaus put in a solid all-round performance that included a hat-trick of tries.
KwaZulu Natal opened the scoring in the tenth minute after a period of sustained pressure inside the Valke 22. Kleinhaus picked up from the base of a scrum and crashed over after a powerful, low drive. Centre Robert de Bruyn converted to give the hosts a 7-0 lead.
Kleinhaus was involved in the move that led to KwaZulu Natal’s second try four minutes later when he took the ball up strongly to breach the advantage line and put wing Khayelihle Mbuyazi in under the posts. De Bruyn added the conversion.
Kleinhaus got his second try when he carried the ball well from close to the line to extend his team’s lead to 19-0. The conversion was missed.
On the stroke of half-time the lead was extended to 24-0 after hooker and local Kearsney boy Minenhle Bengu went over in the corner following some great handling and passing.
The Valke opened their account five minutes into the second half when centre Tobie Jacobs rounded off a move that featured some impressive interplay between flyhalf Jacob Taute and inside centre Dawie van Staden. The conversion was unsuccessful.
KwaZulu Natal were not done however as they added a further three tries before the final whistle. Kleinhaus grabbed his third after pouncing on a soft pass from de Bruyn who had breached the last line of defence. De Bruyn added the conversion. Scrumhalf Mlamuli Ntuli dived over in the corner after KwaZulu Natal had again done some good work in the build up and wing Mbuyazi delivered the final blow with a score on full-time
Western Province vs Blue Bulls, 29-27
The clash between two of the South African game’s oldest rivals was a match to savour as the lead changed hands several times and both sides produced scintillating running rugby.
Western Province drew first blood when wing Zingisa Ndiki rounded off in the corner after some good build up play. Centre Ryan Barthus missed the conversion.
The Blue Bulls, despite playing second fiddle in the forward exchanges responded with a well-taken try by centre Leroy Afrika, which was converted by flyhalf Neil Bosman to give them a slender 7-5 lead.
Barthus, who kEastern Provincet Western Province on the front foot with some great tactical kicking, restored his side’s lead with a converted try and added a penalty a few minutes later to move Western Province into a 15-7 lead.
Bosman kicked a penalty for the Bulls on the stroke of half-time to leave his side five points adrift at the break.
The Bulls got their hands on the ball early in the second spell and created a fantastic try for wing Mongezi Bosch with Bosman, who converted to make it 17-15, delivering a spectacular final pass in the move.
Flank Nizaam Carr restored the Western Province lead when he rounded off after a controlled build up that saw Western Province switch the angle of attack nicely. Barthus converted to make it 22-17, and minutes later Bosman cut the lead to two points with his second penalty of the game.
Scrumhalf Rick Schroeder scored a fourth try for his side and Barthus converted to restore Western Province’s nine point advantage. With time running out the Blue Bulls refused to lie down and were rewarded when flank Thabang Hlangoane went over for a try. Bosman added the conversion to make it 29-27 but Western Province held on to secure a hard-fought win.
Eastern Province vs Golden Lions, 9-5
The Golden Lions will rue their decision not to go for posts on several occasions in the closing stages of the match that might have given them a narrow win against a resilient Eastern Province side.
Despite being up against a stronger pack, Eastern Province were able to put enough pressure on their opponents at the breakdown to win two early penalties, both of which were converted by centre Hanro Louw for a 6-0 lead after eight minutes.
Both sides sought to play attacking rugby but a litany of errors and infringements, particularly at ruck and maul, reduced it to a stop-start affair for most of the first half.
The Golden Lions had an opportunity to level the scores before the break, but scrumhalf Nico Kruger was unsuccessful with two penalty attempts.
The Golden Lions were eventually rewarded for their good build-up play when flank JP le Grange charged over for the game’s first try early in the second spell. Kruger missed a conversion in front of the poles to keep Province in a 6-5 lead.
Eastern Province’s Louw kicked a third penalty soon after the restart to move the score to 9-5 and Eastern Province weathered a late flurry of attacks by the Golden Lions to secure a valuable win.
Free State vs Boland, 40-18
Free State put their big pack to good use from the outset, forcing their lighter opponents to commit more players to the breakdown and open up space in which to attack.
They were rewarded early on when centre Mzuvokile Duma went over for a try in the third minute. Flyalf Frederick Ras – son of former great De Wet Ras – converted to make it 7-0.
Free State doubled their advantage with a try by centre Petrus Lindeque, which was also coverted by Ras.
Boland opened their account with a penalty by fullback Rouvaun Appel but Free State stretched their lead even further when stocky hooker Bernard van Heerden scored their third try after sustained pick-‘n-drive play in the Boland 22. Ras added the conversion to move the score to 21-3.
Boland played with more fire in the second half but struggled to contain their more physical and skilful opponents.
Free State extended their lead to 28-3 when Ras added their fourth try and converted. They went further ahead with two tries in the space of as many minutes by wings Chejane Mallane and Makgema Setlaba, one converted by Ras, to lead 40-3. Appel kicked a second penalty for Boland before eighthman Werner Badenhorst added two tries for Boland, one of which was converted by Appel to give the score some respectability at 40-18.
Border vs Griquas, 10-3
Border got off to a good start with a 10-3 win over Griquas. After and opening spell that saw the two sides feeling each other out, Griquas opened the scoring in the 17th minute via a penalty by centre Johandre van der Walt. But it was Border who made most of the play as they effectively brought their outside backs into the attack. They spurned numerous try-scoring chances before the break, the first after a great run by fullback Apelele Rasmeni, who saw his final pass knocked on by wing Lionel Makiwane and another when Makiwane stepeped into touch whilst making a pass inside that would have seen Border score under the posts.
The boys from East London persisted and were rewarded with a penalty on the stroke of half-time that was goaled by flyhalf Dale Sabbagh to level the scores at the break. Sabbagh and Van der Walt both missed penalty chances early in the second half and it was the nippy Rasmeni who broke the deadlock midway through the half, joining the line for a simple score after Border had secured quick ball from a scrum 20 metres out. Sabbagh converted to give border a 10-3 lead. Border continued to control the game and despite losing Rasmeni after a yellow card in the closing stages, they held on for a deserved win,
KwaZulu Natal XV vs Namibia, 35-3
The KwaZulu Natal XV scored a one-sided win over a spirited Namibian team that refused to give up despite conceding six tries to nil.
KwaZulu Natal led 13-3 at half-time after tries by wing Philani Majeke and centre Kayde Fisher and a penalty by flyhalf Shane Swart in response to a penalty by Namibia flyhalf Abraham van Niekerk.
KwaZulu Natal kepet the scoreboard ticking over with some solid play in the second half, adding further tries through Majeke, centre Jacobus Lourens, lock Campbell Pletts and prop Thobelani Mabaso, only one of which was converted by Swart.
Leopards vs Border Country Districts, 29-13
The Leopards reversed a 12-13 half-time deficit to record a deserved 29-13 win over Border Country Districts in their opening match of the Week.
The Leopards drew first blood when flyhalf Janus Jonker went over for a try in the opening minute. Fullback John Denner converted to make it 7-0. Border struck back quickly, however, sending centre Mveleli Nduko over for a try, which was converted by flyhalf Abongile Boyana to level matters.
Boyana extended the Border lead to 10-7 with a penalty midway through the half but the Leopards reclaimed the lead through a try by hooker Jacques Gnade eight minutes from the break. Denner was unable to convert.
Boyana struck back with a drop goal three minutes later to give his side a one-point cushion at the break.
The second half belonged to the Leopards as they repeatedly found gaps in the Border defence to add further tries via eighthman Gabriel Strydom, wing Kethbile Mokgatle and Gnade, one of which was converted by Denner.
Limpopo vs Pumas, 27-14
After a tight first half, the Limpopodominated the second spell to secure a deserved 27-14 win.
The Pumas led 6-3 at the break with two penalties by fullback Ulrich Beyers cancelling out a penalty by Limpopo scrumhalf Charles van Staden.
Limpopo took the lead for the first time in the game when eighthman Kingdom Malaudzi went over for a try, which was converted by Van Staden to give his team and 10-6 lead.
The lead changed hands six minutes later when the Pumas struck via a try by centre Clearance Khumalo, which was not converted. Beyers stretched the Pumas lead to four points at 14-10 with another penalty before Limpopo responded with tries by centres Buhle Ngonyama and Gideon Blignaut as well as two conversions and a penalty by van Staden to put the result beyond doubt.
South Western Districts vs Griffons, 24-16
South Western Districts reversed a half-time deficit to record a deserved win over the Griffons.
The Griffons started well, moving into a nine-point lead within 13 minutes after flyhalf Johannes du Toit had succeeded with two penalties and a drop goal.
South Western Districts cut the lead to two points before the break after wing Benjamin Pierre scored a try, which was converted by fullback Jaco van Tonder.
Shortly after the restart Van Tonder added a try to give South Western Districts the lead for the first time at 12-9. Van Tonder added a second try midway through the second half to move the score to 17-9 and centre Adrian Fransman extended the lead to 22-9 with a try four minutes from time. Van Tonder converted. The Griffons scored a consolation try via flank Rudi Mostert, which was converted by Du Toit, on the stroke of fulltime.
Tuesday 3 July fixtures
09.30
KwaZulu Natal XV vs Griffons
Border Country Districts vs Namibia
10.45
South Western Districts vs Leopards
Pumas vs Griquas
12.00
Border vs Limpopo
Valke vs Boland
13.15
Eastern Province vs Western Province
Blue Bulls vs Golden Lions
14.45
KwaZulu Natal vs Free State
Teams (as far as we have been able to find them)
Boland: Jason Pieterse, Granville Jansen, Aldso Goosen, Gerhard Niemand, Clint Parnell, Louis van Wyk, Werner Badenhorst, Allen Strecker, Jano Taljaard, Jacobus Bailey, Granville Pietersen, Dean Swart, Bertie Visser, Rouvaan Appel, Christoiff Fernhout, Franklin Abrahams, Reyno van Toorn, Garth April, Myron Jantjies, Leonard Prins, Austin Adams, Johan Strydom
Border: G Hartley, A Mandaba, L Makiwane, C Ranger, B Callaghan, T Kambule, A Gxotiwe (all Queen’s), M McFarlane, D Steyn, M Williams, S Ntabeni, D Sabbagh (all Selborne), L Kama, C Gwampi, L Ruiters (all Dale College), L Nel (Grens), M Rubushe (Buchule), T van Zyl, A Labuschagne (Burgersdorp), A Rasmeni (Hudson), R Roodt (Hangklip), A Mnei (Amantinde)
Golden Lions: LJ van Heerden (Monument), B Janse van Vuuren (Florida), W Kamanga Marais ViljoenF Booysen (Florida), P van Niekerk (Florida), C Porter (Noordheuwel), JP le Grange (Monument), V Jobo (KES), N Kruger (Monument), Q Renken (Noordheuwel), T Stoffels (Florida), A Kok (Monument), B Moolman (Monument), M Malebe (St Benedict’s), W Mjekevu (KES), R Sithole (JEastern Provincepe), A Meyer (Jan Viljoen), S Yaka (Monument), B Hughes (Monument), L Koopman (JEastern Provincepe), L Uys (Linden), J de Bruin (KES)
Griqualand West: Joa van der Merwe (Upington), Jonathan Africa (Diamantveld), Werner van Zyl (Diamantveld), Danie Jaco obs (Hopetown), Peet van Staden (Upington), Jaco obus Barnard (Upington), Alvon Botha (Victoria-Wes), Deon Carney (Noord-Kaap), Neil Niekklaasen (Diamantveld), Abrahamle Roux (Upington), Henry van Tonder (De Aar), Johandre van der Walt (Noord-Kaap), Lance Howley (Upington), Darren-Lee Koopman (Noord-Kaap), Roderick Rutledge (Diamantveld), Juan Pierre Brandsen (Diamantveld), Deon Smith (Duineveld), Nigel Wentworth (Upington), Armandt van der Merwe (Diamantveld), Ashwen Damons (Noord-Kaap), Uwe Jacobs (Upington), Lourens van der Heever (Douglas)
KwaZulu Natal : Bengu (Kearsney), Webster (DHS), Jenkinson (Glenwood), Zondi (St Charles), Schnetler (Glenwood), Bosman (Glenwood), Du Toit (Glenwood), Kleinhans (Glenwood), Ntuli (Kearsney), Nakin (Michaelhouse), Kunene (Westville), Appiah (Maritzburg College), De Bruyn (Michaelhouse), Mbuyazi (Glenwood), Riding (Westville), Zwane (Maritzburg College), Schonert (Maritzburg College), Jafta (St Charles), NPletts (Maritzburg College), Momberg (Kearsney), Mjajubana (Maritzburg College), P Oosthuisen (Glenwood)
KwaZulu Natal XV: Van der Schyff (Glenwood), Zungu (DHS), Mabaso (Port Natal), Mafereka (Hilton), CPletts (Maritzburg College), Groenewalt (Glenwood), Memela (Durban Development)Leathern (Hilton), Dyonase (George Campbell), Swart (Port ShEastern Provincestone), Bengu (Zululand Development), Lourens (Glenwood), Fisher (Westville), Mjeke (DHS), Zwane (DHS), Grobler (Glenwood), Mthembu (George Campbell), Ntuli (DHS), Armstrong (Westville), Truter (Pionier), Els (Glenwood), Mapanza (Kearsney)
Mpumalanga: Jeffrey Malaza, Hannes Struwig, Stiaan Barnard, Werner Combrink, Sandile Ngwenya, Lloyd Afrika, Coenraad ScheEastern Provinceers, Cyprian Hlophe, Anrich Kruger, Eben Jonker, Thuso Motinya, Jacques Badenhorst, Clearence Khumalo, Louis Khoza, Piet Thotetsie, Sibosiso Chulayo, Njabulo Mnisis, Themba Gumbi, Romano Schoeman, Jacques Hoffman, Stefan Momberg, Ulrich Beyers
South Western Districts: Jaco van Tonder (Outeniqua), Henry Gordon (Oudtshoorn), Adrian Fransman (Outeniqua), Jabes Horn (PW Botha), Regardt Smit (Outeniqua), Leegan Moos (PW Botha), Grahame SEastern Provincetember (Outeniqua), Franco Geldenhuys (Outeniqua), Rudger van Wyk (Outeniqua), Heinerych Peyper (Outeniqua), Ben Jacobs (Outeniqua), Peet van der Walt (Outeniqua), Marnus Engelbrecht (Punt), Armand van der Merwe (Outeniqua), Gerhard Baard (Outeniqua), Wayne Khan (Gerrit du Plessis), Erich Pienaar (Outeniqua), Jose Julies (Gerrit du Plessis), De Wet du Plessis (Punt), Jody (Florida), es (Oakdale), Bennie Pierre (Outeniqua)
Western Province: Adriaan Botha (Paarl Boys’ High), Ciaren Fritz (De Kuilen), Jozua Malherbe (Paarl Boys’ High), Johannes Basson (Paarl Boys’ High), Francois van Wyk (Boland Landbou), Heinrich Marcus (Excelsior), Nizaam Carr (Bishops), Rowan Smallbones (Stellenberg), Rick Schroeder (captain), (Paul Roos), J’ndre Liebenberg (Paarl Gim), John-Ronald Esterhuizen (Paarl Gim), Ryan Barthus (Stellenberg), Billy van Lill (Paarl Gim), Zingisa Ndiki (Wynberg), William du Randt (Bishops), Neil Rautenbach (Paarl Boys’ High), Kelvin de Bruyn (Paul Roos), Brynn-Peter Kemp (Paul Roos), Johannes Erasmus (Paarl Gim), Luvo Ndabaninzi (Wynberg), Logan Solomons (Scottsdene), Phillipus du Plessis (Paul Roos)
By Anthony Mackaiser
