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News24
07-07-2025
- Sport
- News24
Lions, SWD edge tight contests at Craven Week
Lions, SWD edge tight contests at FNB U18 Craven Week South Western Districts and the Obaro Golden Lions claimed one-point victories, while the DHL Western Province XV and the Hollywood Foundation Pumas were also among the winners on the first day of the FNB U18 Craven Week at Hoërskool Middelburg. The FNB U18 Craven Week got off to an explosive start in Middelburg on Monday, with 37 tries scored across the four matches. U18 Craven Week day one results (Monday, 7 July) DHL Western Province XV 52 (19) Griffons 6 (6) Free State 34 (17) South Western Districts 35 (6) Blue Bulls 35 (20) Obaro Golden Lions 36 (14) Hollywood Foundation Pumas 44 (12) Limpopo Blue Bulls 22 (14) The WP XV put on an attacking show in the opening fixture, scoring eight tries and more than 50 points against the Griffons. The Capetonians were in charge for much of the contest, limiting the Northern Free Staters to two penalty goals over the course of the game. The next two fixtures were a lot tighter, with the Lions and SWD fighting back from significant half-time deficits to secure important victories. Free State dominated the first half of their fixture against SWD and went to the break with a 17-6 lead. Flyhalf Darius Erwee led the way for his side, contributing 12 points in all. SWD lifted the tempo in the second stanza, scoring three tries in the final 10 minutes. While Free State added a converted try at the death, it wasn't enough to deny the Eagles a famous 35-34 win. Excellent individual try from St Albans and Bulle Craven week back Thabiso Simelane! He's got something to his game , dark horse for one of the SA sides. — Matthew Bauer (@MB5Plug) July 7, 2025 In the Jukskei Derby, the Lions rebounded after a slow start to trail by six points at half-time. Neither side managed to gain the upper in hand in the early stages of the the second stanza, with the lead changing hands several times. With time running out, Bulls wing Thabiso Simelane launched an audacious counter-attack from within his own half and then managed to regather his own chip kick for an important touchdown. But the Lions worked their way upfield before earning a penalty within Jeandre Uithaler's range. The flyhalf booted his side to a 36-35 victory and finished the clash with a personal tally of 11 points. In the fourth match of the day, the Pumas scored five tries in quick succession to take the contest away from the Limpopo Blue Bulls and begin their home tournament with an emphatic 44-22 win. The FNB U18 Craven Week will continue at Hoërskool Middelburg on Tuesday, with the Leopards taking on the Valke in the first match at 10:00. DHL Western Province, who finished unbeaten in last year's competition, will tackle Western Cape rivals Sanlam Boland at 14:30 in the final match of the day.
The South African
29-04-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Willemse determined to make a mark in green and gold
The 2025 season has been a bit of a blur for Alicia Willemse thus far, but on Saturday in Los Angeles at the Sevens Series play-off, the 27-year-old playmaker will strive to be at her brightest and clearest of minds. Donning the Springbok Women's Sevens jumper this time around, Willemse will be expected to combat and outplay Ireland and China alongside her teammates, barely two weeks after a memorable day in Alicante, Spain. Then, Willemse came off the bench as replacement-scrumhalf to earn a first Test cap for the Springbok Women in a once-off international against Spain, barely five weeks after making her debut in the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town. 'It is really exciting times,' Willemse said shortly after the team arrived on the west coast of the USA for the final sevens tournament of the 2025 season, and for the Springbok Women's Sevens, a most important one. The play-off tournament, where they will also face Argentina in their final pool match on Sunday, will determine the South Africans' fate for the next season of Sevens Series and in a way, the career choices the DHL Western Province player will have to make. Upon returning from Los Angeles, Willemse will be back in the Springbok Women training squad, aiming to make it to the Rugby World Cup, to be played in England in August and September. 'I have worked hard towards that goal and getting my first cap for the fifteens side was something I had on my radar,' said Willemse, who missed out on Test match selection last year, despite touring to Europe where the Bok Women played against Spain and the USA. 'Come to think of it, the sevens call-up was probably a bigger feat, as I never really expected it, nor focused so much on that code. 'I enjoy playing sevens and I still do, as a smaller player I enjoy the freedom of space a bit more, so I can't wait to go out and play with a bunch of very talented teammates. I am really grateful and privileged to have played for both national teams for the first time in such a short space of time.' Willemse said the desire to do justice in the green and gold drives both teams: 'Whether fifteens or sevens, both teams are desperate to do the jersey justice and make the country proud. I have not walked the sevens journey that long, but can tell you that this team is very, very determined to regain that top 12 spot on the world circuit.' The Springbok Women's Sevens team will have some comforts in Los Angeles, with the memory of their best finish of the 2024 Sevens Series at this very venue. The team finished sixth overall and moved to 10th on the tournament log after two good wins over Brazil and Fiji. 'That performance showed that we can compete against the best, but more encouraging would be the recent performances in Krakow, where the team won the final Challenger tournament. The momentum gained will work well for us this weekend,' added Willemse. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
