The south rules in Jo'burg

WRAP: Motivated by the presence of the Springbok women’s team, Eastern Province and Western Province recorded the biggest wins on day one of the Under-18 girls week in Johannesburg.

Border, the Golden Lions and WP were among the top performers in the first round of the Under-16 tournament.

South Africa’s most promising female players converged on Queens High School on Monday to participate in the first round of the annual U18 and U16 Girls Weeks tournaments.

The Springbok Women, who will play the first of two Tests against Canada at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, made an appearance at the age-group showpiece and took the time to motivate and support their younger provincial counterparts throughout a memorable opening ceremony.

EP laid down an early marker in the U18 tournament when they put 11 tries and 69 points past the Leopards, with winger Lukhanye Lolo scoring a hat-trick.

In the second fixture, WP scored 13 tries in a 79-7 win over the Valke, with Endinalo Fihla, Theonay Adams, Jessie Schoeman and Inga Jim all crossing for braces, while Niha Levy slotted seven conversions.

Hlamalani Mofokeng scored a hat-trick of tries as the Lions smashed Free State by 67-0 in their afternoon clash.

The Sharks, Pumas, Blue Bulls, and Boland were also among the U18 winners on day one, while Zimbabwe impressed with a 52-0 victory over Griquas.

Border set the tone in the U16 tournament, with a 22-7 win over the Golden Lions Invitational XV in the opening fixture.

The Sharks, Boland, EP, Border Country Districts, SWD and the Pumas also came through the first round with victories.

In the biggest victory of the day, WP thrashed the Leopards 88-0, with inside centre Azraa Landor scoring a hat-trick and flyhalf Danrica Jehoma contributing 19 points.

The Golden Lions made a similar statement of intent, with flyhalf Alice Ncube scoring three tries and kicking six conversions in the hosts’ 62-0 rout of the Valke.

U18 girls day one results (Monday, June 30):
Eastern Province 69 (45) v Leopards 0 (0)
Western Province 79 (43) Valke 7 (7)
Sharks 24 (12) Griffons 12 (0)
South Western Districts 12 (0) Pumas 24 (14)
Zimbabwe 52 (20) Griquas 0 (0)
Border 0 (0) Blue Bulls 17 (5)
Golden Lions 67 (29) Free State 0 (0)
Limpopo Blue Bulls 12 (7) Boland 24 (0)

U16 girls day one results (Monday, June 30):
Border 22 (15) Golden Lions Invitational XV 7 (7)
Sharks 20 (5) Limpopo Blue Bulls 10 (10)
Western Province 88 (59) Leopards 0 (0)
Boland 29 (24) Griquas 5 (0)
Eastern Province 34 (0) v Zimbabwe 12 (7)
Border Country Districts 45 (33) Free State 0 (0)
Golden Lions 62 (29) Valke 0 (0)
South Western Districts 41 (31) Griffons 5 (0)
Pumas 22 (12) Blue Bulls 0 (0)