Latest news with #FNBU18CravenWeek
The South African
11 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
Paarl Gimnasium prodigy Markus Muller to captain SA Schools side
Markus Muller (SA Schools) and Jeandre Uithaler (SA Schools 'A') will captain their respective sides in the annual clash between the cream of the crop in South Africa's schoolboy rugby at Hoërskool Middelburg in Mpumalanga on Thursday. Muller, centre from Western Province and Paarl Gimnasium, will lead the team running out in green and gold, while the Uithaler, the Golden Lions and Noorheuwel's flyhalf, will run in front of the team in the alternative white and green strip. With Josh Neill being ruled out of action for the encounter, only seven players from last year's teams will feature again. Muller will be joined in the SA Schools matchday squad by lock AJ Meyer (Grey College), centre Ethan Adams (Grey College), fullback Zekhethelo Siyaya (Westville) and replacement prop Jordan Jooste (Paarl Boys High). André Poulton (prop, Jeppe) and Briint Davids (flanker, Milnerton) are the two returning players in the SA Schools 'A' starting team. Quinton Potgieter (replacement flanker, Paarl Gimnasium) has taken Neill's place in the SA Schools team, with his place in the 'A' squad going to Elwin Janse van Vuuren of Affies. Ian Schwartz, SA Rugby's General Manager for Participation and Development, urged the players to make the most of this opportunity to showcase their talent. 'We celebrate not just the talent on the field, but the journey that brought them here. This fixture is more than a match – it's a showcase of South Africa's schools rugby depth, resilience, and promise,' said Schwartz. 'These teams represent the best of the best that were in action at the FNB U18 Craven Week, and we can't wait to see them in action, with the Under-18 International Series on the horizon. 'No less than seven players who were in the SA Schools team last year, are now part of the Junior Bok squad at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy – Cheswill Jooste, Riley Norton, Siphosethu Mnebelele, Phiwayinkosi 'Rambo' Kubheka, Oliver Reid, Vusi Moyo and Alzeadon Felix – and this is where they took their first steps in green and gold. 'All of these players are part of our Elite Player Development (EPD) programme and to see them in action on Thursday, will be just reward for all the hard work done by our EPD structures in SA Rugby ecosystem, as well as the SA Schools Selectors. 'They have selected two squads of highly talented players, but even for those who didn't make the squads, the doors will never be closed and I want to urge all our youngsters to never give up on chasing their dreams. Let this match be a celebration of growth, grit, and greatness. The pathway may differ, but the destination is shared.' The match in Middelburg will kick-off at 15:00. 15 Zekhethelo Siyaya (Sharks / Westville Boys High) 14 Junaide Stuart (Blue Bulls / Garsfontein HS) 13 Ethan Adams (Free State / Grey College) 12 Markus Muller (captain, Western Province / Paarl Gimnasium) 11 Jadrian Afrikaner (Sharks / Westville Boys High) 10 Liyema Nela (Sharks / Hilton College) 9 Morne Noble (Western Province / Wynberg Boys High) 8 Jacobus de Villiers (SWD / Oakdale) 7 Wasi Vyambwera (Sharks / Maritzburg College) 6 Chinedu Amadi (Golden Lions / King Edward VII) 5 AJ Meyer (Free State / Grey College) 4 Lwandile Mlaba (Sharks / Westville Boys High) 3 Luan van der Berg (Blue Bulls / Garsfontein) 2 Altus Rabe (Western Province / Paul Roos Gymnasium) 1 Kai Pratt (SWD / Oakdale) 16 Clinton Agu (Golden Lions / Noordheuwel HS) 17 Jordan Jooste (Western Province / Paarl Boys High) 18 Matthew van der Merwe (Western Province / Rondebosch Boys High) 19 Jayden Joubert (Western Province / Paarl Boys High) 20 Quintin Potgieter (Western Province / Paarl Gimnasium) 21 Gert Kemp (Western Province / Paul Roos Gymnasium) 22 Zirk Meyer (Blue Bulls / Affies) 23 Ruben Groenewald (Blue Bulls / Affies) 24 Nathan Aneke (Sharks / Durban High School) 25 Lamla Mgedezi (Free State / Grey College) 26 Thabiso Simelane (Blue Bulls / St. Albans College) 15 Junade Pasensie (Blue Bulls / Garsfontein HS) 14 Lucritia Magua (Eastern Province / Graeme College) 13 Erin Nelson (Eastern Province / Graeme College) 12 Christian Vorster (SWD / Oakdale) 11 Ncuthu Kepe (Border / Queens College) 10 Jeandre Uithaler (captain, Golden Lions / Noordheuwel HS) 9 Jayden Brits (Western Province / Boland Landbou) 8 Stefan McDonald (Blue Bulls / Affies) 7 Briint Davids (Western Province / Milnerton HS) 6 Caleb Koeberg (Western Province / Paul Roos Gymnasium) 5 Lian Terblanche (Sharks / Northwood HS) 4 Diaan Augustyn (SWD / Oakdale) 3 Bernhard du Toit (Western Province / Paarl Boys High) 2 Keenan Myners (SWD / Outeniqua HS) 1 Andre Poulton (Golden Lions / Jeppe) 16 Thomas Muller (Western Province / Paarl Boys High) 17 Jeffrey Singo (Blue Bulls / Pretoria Boys High) 18 JG Badenhorst (Free State / Grey College) 19 Juvan Burden (Western Province / Stellenberg HS) 20 Elwin Janse van Vuuren (Blue Bulls / Affies) 21 Mickyle Booise (Western Province / Paarl Gimnasium) 22 Ethan van Biljon (Western Province / Stellenberg HS) 23 Jeneall Davids (Western Province / Paarl Boys High) 24 Pieter Cilliers (Western Province / Paarl Gimnasium) 25 Toriq Schambreel (Free State / Grey College) 26 Jadon Ocks (Western Province / Boland Landbou) Head Coach: Lwazi Zangqa (Border) Lwazi Zangqa (Border) Assistant Coach: Cobus van Dyk (Blue Bulls) Cobus van Dyk (Blue Bulls) Team Manager: Dean Moodley (Sharks) Dean Moodley (Sharks) Physiotherapist: Robin Williams (Sharks) Robin Williams (Sharks) Conditioning Coach: Yaw Fosu-Amoah (Eastern Province) Yaw Fosu-Amoah (Eastern Province) Team Doctor: Dr Gershwin Kortje (Boland) Head Coach: Flash Malinga (Sharks) Flash Malinga (Sharks) Assistant Coach: Clinton van Rensburg (Western Province) Clinton van Rensburg (Western Province) Team Manager: Mandla Madaka (Blue Bulls) Mandla Madaka (Blue Bulls) Physiotherapist: Rob Sims (Western Province) Rob Sims (Western Province) Conditioning Coach: Adriaan Jansen (SWD) Adriaan Jansen (SWD) Team Doctor: Dr Gershwin Kortje (Boland) Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Craven Week: WP on top as Bulls survive scare, Sharks stutter, Pumas and Lions roar
As promised, the final day of the FNB U18 Craven Week delivered crunching tackles, sensational stepping and thrilling tries! Middelburg Hoërskool in Mpumalanga played host to a week-long spectacle of provincial schoolboy rugby, which culminated in the announcement of the SA Schools squads. Western Province have the most representatives across the two groups. Here's what you need to know from the last day's action. EP vs Bulls Bulls flyhalf and captain Ruben Groenewald of Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool got the action underway on the A-field. However, it was the opposition flyhalf, Tristan Kemp of Grey High School, who opened the scoring, slotting a penalty awarded to his side in the fifth minute. He also won the early kick-tennis battle, putting his side within 5m of the tryline with a well-placed 50:22. EP flanker Liyema Katikati (Kingswood College) cut through the Bulls' defence, just as he did against Border on Thursday, to score the opening try. Tristan converted. EP went at a point-per-minute ratio, scoring another try – this time by centre Erin Nelson (Graeme College). Tristan converted it as their tally reached 17 points in as many minutes. At this stage, it looked like it was going to be a long day at the office for the team in blue, but a good cross-field kick by captain Ruben resulted in winger Junaide Stuart (Hoërskool Garsfontein) dotting down for a try. Ruben added the extras from about 5m in from the touchline. Minutes later, flanker Elwin Jansen van Vuuren (Affies) pulled the Bulls within five points by scoring in the same corner. This time, however, Ruben failed to add the two extra points. The pendulum seemed to have swung as EP lost their opening momentum. A try by Bulls No 8 and vice-captain Stefan McDonald of Affies saw Ruben's conversion put his side in the lead for the first time as half-time approached. The captain kept the hammer down, kicking a 50:22 to set up a Bulls lineout. In classic Bulls fashion, a rolling maul followed, and replacement hooker Charl Els (Affies) scored. Ruben added the conversion and at half-time, the Bulls had turned things around to lead 26-17. The Bulls started the second half with real intent. Prop Jeffrey Singo of Pretoria Boys High School powered through a couple of EP defenders to score his second try of the tournament. Not long after, centre Dylan Stumke (Die Hoërskool Menlopark) – the schoolboy who grabbed headlines with a mammoth penalty kick last year – added another five-pointer. Ruben converted the first of the two tries, as well as No 7 Elwin's second of the match (and his team's seventh), to take the score to 45-17. EP were not down and out yet, with No 10 William Stevens (St Andrew's College) adding five points to their total, plus two more by Tristan as the score read 45-24 with 20 minutes to go. The Bulls hit the 50-point mark when fullback Junade Pasensie (Garsfontein) scored a try. Ruben failed to convert, but added the extras when winger Thabiso Simelane (St Alban's College) scored his fifth try of the tournament. The conversion sent the Bulls' score to 57 points with just over 57 minutes played. Another Affies schoolboy, Zirk Meyer, scored the Bulls' 10th try, and Ruben took his personal tally to 14, and his side's to 64. Ruben set up winger Thabiso's second of the match, and his sixth of the tournament, with another good cross-kick. He missed the conversion. EP had one last attack but failed to score, and a turnover saw Bulls No 12 Dylan score his side's 12th try to put the cherry on top of a convincing Bulls win. Ruben's conversion meant the combined scoreline hit the 100-point mark when the final whistle was blown: 76-24. Lions vs WP XV Lions flyhalf Jeandre Uithaler (Hoërskool Noordheuwel) opened the scoring with a penalty. Fullback and vice-captain Ty Ax of Helpmekaar Kollege extended his side's lead with his second try of the tournament, and the match's first five-pointer. Jeandre's boot took the score to 10-0. WP XV hooker Thomas Muller's (Paarl Boys' High School) try was correctly ruled out by the television match official (TMO), as he knocked the ball on before the tryline. A large part of the match was an uncharacteristic scrappy affair with no points scored until less than five minutes to go until the break. Lions fullback Matthew Hunt (Northcliff High School), who played Academy Week earlier this week, extended his side's lead to 15 points, with Jeandre adding the extras. At 17-0, the Lions looked in control, but on the stroke of half-time, WP XV flyhalf Leighton Brinkhuis of Paarl Boys' High showed individual brilliance and scored a sublime try to get his side on the scoreboard. He converted his try, and the half-time score was 17-7 for the Lions. Lions winger Aidan Bester (Noordheuwel) added five more points in the opening stages of the second half. From near the touchline, Jeandre slotted the conversion to take the score to 24-7. Minutes later, he added another three points after WP XV were penalised at a breakdown. The score was 27-7 with 15 minutes to go. A yellow card to Lions No 8 and captain Chinedu Amadi of King Edward VII School, for a dangerous tackle, saw WP XV capitalise on the numerical advantage. Lock Gershom Pieters of Paarl Boys' High scored a try, converted by Leighton. However, he failed to add the extras when replacement Caleb Koeberg (Paul Roos Gimnasium) scored his third try of this year's showpiece. As the hooter went, Caleb Bell of Rondebosch Boys' High School – another player who featured in the Academy Week earlier this week – scored a five-pointer. Centre Iwan Jordaan of Boishaai took over the kicking duties and converted from the touchline. Despite WP's valiant efforts, at full time, the score was 27-26 in favour of the Lions. Sharks vs Free State Sharks fullback Zekhethelo Siyaya (Westville Boys' High School) – a SA Schools selection hopeful – got the penultimate match on the A-field underway. It was the Free Staters who opened the scoring, through hooker Marinus Oosthuizen's (Grey College) try from a rolling maul, just over 14 minutes in. A fellow Grey learner, flyhalf Darius Erwee, was unable to add the extras. The Sharks failed to score from an attacking lineout 5m from the Free State tryline. Little scoring action followed, but spectators were treated to a fullback match-up after Free State 15 Lamla Mgedezi (another Grey schoolboy) showed dazzling feet and then a chip-and-chase kick, ultimately gathered by counterpart Zekhethelo. The Sharks' No 15 came out on top in this mini-battle, stepping his opponent, who ended up on the ground. It took another 14 minutes for more points to be scored. This time, Free State flyhalf Darius' kicking shoes were on and he sent a penalty kick through the uprights to give his side an 8-0 lead with just over seven minutes left in the half. Another rolling maul by the Free Staters saw captain Xander Smit of Grey adding five more points as the hooter went. Darius failed to kick the conversion over, but with the Sharks scoreless, Free State had a 13-point lead at half-time. In the 41st minute, the first red card of the tournament was shown to Sharks winger Rourke O'Sullivan (Michaelhouse) for a dangerous tackle. The resulting penalty, and two more later on in the match, were scored by Darius. The Free State had a 22-point lead when replacement Toriq Schambreel (Grey College) thought he scored a five-pointer, but the try was rightly chalked off by the TMO for a forward pass in the build-up. The Sharks finally got onto the board in the 60th minute, when winger Jadrian Afrikaner (Westville Boys' High School) scored a try. Zekhethelo missed the conversion, and the scoreboard read 22-5. Free State's magic man Lamla showed brilliance as he scored his fifth try of the showpiece, but Darius again failed to add the extras. Toriq got his try minutes later, and Darius finally landed his first conversion of the tournament, despite having already slotted a few penalties, to extend his side's lead to 34-5. It was, however, the Sharks who had the final say, with Zekhethelo conjuring a five-pointer out of nothing. This was his second try of the tournament. Sharks replacement Stefan Moolman of Michaelhouse slotted in the conversion, and the Free Staters won 34-12. WP vs SWD The Eagles came flying out of the blocks, dominating possession in the opening minutes of the unofficial final. Flyhalf Virgil Pockpas (Hoërskool Outeniqua) put the first points on the board with a successful penalty. He did so again just 10 minutes in, extending his side's lead to 6-0. Turnover ball by WP got the boys in the blue and white hoops onto the scoreboard, when No 15 Jadon Ocks (Hoër Landbouskool Boland), playing on the wing, scored a try. Flyhalf Ethan van Biljon (Stellenberg High School) had a difficult conversion from the touchline. He failed to convert – only his second miss of the week. SWD's one-point lead disappeared shortly after when WP captain and flanker Josh Neill (Rondebosch Boys' High School) scored from a rolling maul. The conversion, again from the touchline, was missed by Ethan, but WP had a 10-6 lead. SWD flyhalf Virgil cut the deficit to one point with a successful penalty. Province extended their lead thanks to a five-pointer by No 8 Quintin Potgieter (Paarl Gimnasium) – his third of the week. Kicking duties were taken over by scrumhalf Jayden Brits (Hoër Landbouskool Boland), who took the half-time score to 17-9 in favour of WP. There were 35 minutes to go for WP to bag their sixth consecutive victory in the main game of the final day. WP flyhalf Ethan returned to kicking duties with a successful penalty in the opening minutes of the second half. The boys in blue then put their feet down. A strong run by Markus Muller of Paarl Gimnasium sparked an attack that led to No 14 Jeneall Davids (Paarl Boys' High School), playing fullback, scoring a try. Ethan had a tough kick from the touchline, but converted to put the score at 27-9. WP were reduced to 14 players when hooker Altus Rabe (Paul Roos Gimnasium) was shown a yellow card for repeated infringements by his team. The Eagles showed their wings were not yet clipped as they made the numerical advantage count. Prop Kai Pratt (Hoër Landbouskool Oakdale) scored a try, but the missed conversion by fullback Reinhart Viljoen (also from Oakdale) meant WP led 27-14. Their fightback was made tougher when replacement Jade Petersen (Outeniqua) was shown a yellow card for a dangerous tackle. A rugby collision saw the match halted due to a head injury to Reinhart. With five minutes left on the clock, WP No 15 Jadon was the third player in the match to be yellow-carded. He was temporarily suspended in the final minute due to a deliberate knock on. The Eagles could not score from the resulting lineout, but earned an attacking opportunity from a scrum close to the WP tryline. They made things interesting as a try by centre Anrich Scheffer (Oakdale), followed by a conversion from scrumhalf Jandrian Goosen (also Oakdale), closed the gap to six points ahead of the final restart. The Eagles had one last opportunity, but a darting run towards the tryline ended with a kick that landed in WP's hands. Province then kicked the ball out to seal a 27-21 victory. More rugby action was witnessed on the B-field, and these were the results: Boland beat Griffons 38-36. Leopards thrashed Limpopo 54-7. Griquas beat Valke 26-19. Pumas thumped Border 48-12. That's full-time on the Craven Week for 2025.
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Watch: What to expect on the final day of the 2025 FNB U18 Craven Week
Watch: What to expect on the final day of the 2025 FNB U18 Craven Week The action at this year's FNB U18 Craven Week, being played at Middelburg Hoërskool (Middies) in Mpumalanga, is set to conclude tomorrow. As is custom, matches on day five of the tournament will be played on more than one field. The unofficial final will be played on the A-field at 12:45. Here's what you can expect: Tries galore The first four days saw big scores fuelled by tries galore. From superb counterattacks to darting runs, the showpiece event showcased why South African schoolboy rugby is raved about. The weapon of choice has been lethal rolling mauls from lineout ball, often culminating in hookers dotting down for five-pointers. Think of Limpopo's Ziahn Lombaard (Hoërskool Pietersburg), who scored a hat-trick of tries off the back of a maul on day three, or Leopards hooker Juan van Rhyn of Hoërskool Lichtenburg, who scored from a rolling maul that cruised over the tryline with less than 120 seconds on the clock in match two of day four. Let's not forget the try-of-the-tournament contenders that include Middies and Pumas fullback Katlego Baloyi's five-pointer on day one and Valke winger Dihan Crause from Hoërskool Transvalia's second try of the match on day two. Prefer a prop in full flight? WP frontrower Jordan Jooste (Paarl Boys' High School) would've made you proud yesterday. All indications are that the try-scoring feast is likely to continue tomorrow. @supersportschools Western Province sail past the Sharks! ✨🏉 Jordan Jooste scored a spectacular try as WP overpowered the Sharks on Day 4 of Craven Week. WP flexed their muscles in a 45-13 win in Middelburg! 😤🔥 Day 4 and the best is yet to come!💪 #TheSportYouCareAboutMost💫 #sportsontiktok ♬ original sound – SuperSport Schools Sublime kicking off the tee Compliments should also go to the boots that kept the scoreboard ticking from difficult angles. WP's flyhalf, Ethan van Biljon of Stellenberg High School, comes to mind as he maintained a perfect kicking record during yesterday's bruising of the Sharks. Ethan slotted six conversions, three of them near the touchline, as well as a penalty, as he racked up 15 of his side's 45 points yesterday. Another Province kicker, WP XV centre Iwan Jordaan (Paarl Boys' High School) was also in fine kicking form against the Pumas on day three. He slotted three conversions, one being a difficult kick from the touchline, in four attempts. Free State flyhalf Darius Erwee (Grey College) was another who showed the power in his boot, kicking over a long-range effort in his side's thumping of the Bulls on Wednesday. More Muller magic? WP centre Markus Muller of Paarl Gimnasium will surely want to continue his try-scoring form, which has made him a much-talked-about topic heading into this year's tournament. Will he help his side to victory against the SWD Eagles? There's no reason he shouldn't. A fellow SA Schools hopeful, Sharks fullback Zekhethelo Siyaya (Westville Boys' High School), would want to shine in his final match of the tournament. A good performance would likely see him selected for either the SA Schools or SA Schools A-side – these teams play each other in a friendly on Middies' A-field next Thursday. @supersportschools Staryboy Siyaya! ⭐️🚀 Zekhethelo Siyaya scored a brilliant try against Eastern Province in their FNB U18 Craven Week match-up! The Sharks claimed a 41-10 W over EP! 😤🔥 Congratulations to the boys!🔥👏 #TheSportYouCareAboutMost💫 #sportsontiktok ♬ original sound – SuperSport Schools Bulls No 14 Thabiso Simelane (St Alban's College), who scored a hat-trick in his side's 52-33 loss to the Free State, will hope to add more tries to his tally and also stake his name for selection. Speaking of the Free State, don't take your eyes off fullback Lamla Mgedezi (Grey College), who also scored three tries in the match. Game on The SWD Eagles stand between WP and a sixth consecutive unofficial Craven Week title. That match kicks off at 12:45 on the A-field. Fixtures View this post on Instagram A post shared by Caxton Network News (@caxtonnetworknews)
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Craven Week: WP head to main game as Valke soar and Leopards let lead slip
It was the penultimate match day of this year's FNB U18 Craven Week, and the question on everyone's lips at Middelburg Hoërskool was: Would Western Province make it to the unofficial final again? That question was finally answered when the final whistle of the day blew, but before we get to that, here's how day four of this elite provincial schoolboy rugby tournament unfolded. Boland vs Valke Both sides were looking for their first win of the tournament, with Boland having lost to WP on day two and the Valke having played to an exciting draw against Leopards. Valke scrumhalf Joshua van Rensburg (Hoërskool Alberton) kicked off the action, and it was his side that scored the first try of the day when winger Dihan Crause (Hoërskool Transvalia) crossed the tryline early on. Unfortunately for the Valke, Joshua failed to convert. A failed lineout by Boland, 5m from the Valke tryline, eventually ended with Valke prop Ruan Rossouw (Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen) scoring from a rolling maul at the other end of the field. This time, Joshua managed to add the extras to put the score at 12-0. No 15 Deshean Pietersen (also from EG Jansen), playing flyhalf, was the next to get five points, but again Joshua failed to convert. Boland fullback Harold de Silva (Bella Vista Hoërskool) and centre Lorenzo Kroutz from Hoërskool Overberg got their side into the match, and with both tries converted by flyhalf Zion Rabie (Hoërskool Weston High School), they trailed 17-14. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Middelburg Observer (@mobserver) The half-time hooter sounded, but Valke had one last opportunity to attack, starting with a lineout 5m from the Boland tryline. An infringement in maul defence led to a penalty, and once again Valke opted for a maul. Boland infringed again at lineout time, but this time the Valke chose to take an attacking scrum. Boland were reduced to 14 after prop Joshua Swarts (Hoërskool Charlie Hofmeyr) was shown a yellow card for dangerous play. With the clock deep in the red, Boland bashed Valke back from the tryline, but ended up conceding a penalty that Joshua sent through the posts to make the half-time score 20-14. Boland was shown another yellow card in the 47th minute, this time to flanker Gerhard Goosen (Charlie Hofmeyr), again for a dangerous tackle. Unruly scrummaging gave the Valke a penalty, and replacement Juan van Aswegen (EG Jansen) added three more points to his team's tally. A clever kick downfield, which Boland unsuccessfully tried to keep in play, led to smart work by winger Tumi Moloi (Transvalia), who finished off a beautiful try. A failed conversion by Juan meant the scoreboard read 28-14. Boland bounced back through fullback West-Lee Uithaler (Langeberg Sekondêre Skool), but the extras were not added. With eight minutes left to play, replacement Valke prop Deveraux Weideman (also from EG Jansen) barged over the line, and Juan converted to take the score to 35-19. Moments later, he was shown a yellow card for a dangerous tackle, with just over five minutes remaining. The clock kept ticking, and Boland attempted to finish on a high. They knocked the ball on in an attempt to score a try, and had another go right at the end, but again Valke's defence proved too strong. The final score: 35-19 in favour of Valke. Griquas vs Leopards It took less than 120 seconds in the second match of the day for the opening try, as the Leopards showed they were on the hunt for their first win of the tournament. Hooker Juan van Rhyn of Hoërskool Lichtenburg was at the back of a rolling maul that cruised over the tryline. Flyhalf Eduard Dreyer (Hoërskool Wesvalia) added the extras, which he also did shortly after, when scrumhalf Rea Motsusi (Lichtenburg) chipped and chased his own kick down and – thanks to the bounce of the rugby ball – finished with a flourish. The Leopards continued their dominant start, adding tries by centre Oratile Sekoto (also from Lichtenburg) and winger Elzeno Schalkwyk (Klerksdorp Hoërskool). Sadly for them, neither was converted by Eduard. Griquas captain and centre Jonathan Harding (Hoërskool Diamantveld) led from the front to put his side on the scoreboard. The try was not converted, but shortly after, the Griquas scored another try, by No 8 Enrique Boshoff (also from Diamantveld), which this time was converted by flyhalf Aidan Gadeija (Hoërskool Prieska). Griquas winger Themba Kella of Hoërskool Upington scored a five-pointer as the hooter sounded for half-time, and the conversion by Aidan meant the Leopards' lead was reduced to just five points at half-time, 24-19. The big cats started the second half like the first, scoring a try early on. Flanker Franco Dumond (Wesvalia) scored, and Eduard converted to take the score to 31-19. Few would have guessed that this would be the Leopards' final try of the match. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Middelburg Observer (@mobserver) Griquas flyhalf Aidan converted his own try, and the Leopards were reduced to 14 players when Jordan Rathebe (Hoërskool Vryburg High School) was shown a yellow card for a dangerous tackle. Griquas took full advantage of the extra man, with replacement Jayden de Klerk (Diamantveld) crossing the line to draw them level. Aidan missed the conversion, however, and the score remained tied at 31-all. Griquas were awarded a penalty at scrum time, and Aidan slotted it in to give them the lead for the first time in the match. But with nine minutes remaining, Leopards flyhalf Eduard responded with a penalty of his own to level the scores once again. But then, some brilliant play by Aidan saw him score his second try of the match. He converted it himself, giving Griquas a seven-point lead. They added one more try at the end through lock Zuan Rautenbach (Diamantveld), but Aidan missed the conversion. The full-time score was, somewhat unexpectedly, 46-34 to the Griquas. Border vs Eastern Province Eastern Cape bragging rights were up for grabs in this fixture. EP flyhalf Tristan Kemp of Grey High School opened the scoring, slotting a penalty after missing his first goal attempt. Border scored the first five-pointer of the match when winger Njongo Mbanga (Selborne College) crossed the tryline. The conversion was missed by flyhalf Ndimphiwe Songqwaba, but Border had a 5-3 lead. A successful long-range penalty by Tristan saw EP regain the lead. EP then got into scoring mood and put three converted tries onto the board. Flanker Liyema Katikati (Kingswood College) cut through the Border defence to score a try, which was followed by a brilliant team try that started in their own half and was finished by lock Neshaun Bester (Hoërskool Andrew Rabie High School). The entertainers struck again shortly after when centre Erin Nelson (Graeme College) dotted down. Tristan's kicking boot kept the scoreboard ticking. At half-time, EP led 27-5. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Middelburg Observer (@mobserver) A yellow card to replacement Likhona Bill (Graeme College) proved costly to EP, as Border made the numerical advantage count. They set up a maul from a lineout that led to a try for replacement hooker Liam Hansen of Selborne. The try was converted by Bungqina Nuku (also from Selborne), and EP's lead was reduced to 27-12. Tristan's boot failed to add another penalty to extend their tally. Great defence by EP saw Border knock the ball on in an attempt to score a try in the corner, keeping their lead intact. Poor discipline and a scrappy affair characterised the final minutes of the match. Tristan extended his side's lead to 18 points with a successful penalty. But then each team received a yellow card: Border replacement prop Zeake Mata (Queen's College Boys' High School) for repeated scrum infringements, and EP winger Lucritia Magua (Graeme College) for a cynical infringement. The 30-12 scoreline sealed EP's first victory of this year's showpiece. Western Province vs Sharks The answer to the day's burning question – Would WP make it to the unofficial final again? – came loud and clear in the final fixture of the day, as they delivered a resounding 'Of course, we will!' with a commanding performance against the Sharks. The KZN side made an early statement, with flyhalf Liyema Nela (Hilton College) slotting the first points of the match, hinting at an upset. But WP soon found their rhythm, turning on the style that has made them a consistent Craven Week force. The victory means WP will contest the unofficial final on Saturday at 12:45, once again proving their pedigree on school rugby's biggest stage. What followed was a tightly contested battle, with the momentum swinging both ways in a high-quality clash between two determined teams. Despite a try-saving tackle by a SA Schools hopeful, Sharks fullback Zekhethelo Siyaya (Westville Boys' High School), WP scrumhalf Jayden Brits (Hoër Landbouskool Boland) scored the opening try in the follow-up play. Flyhalf Ethan van Biljon of Stellenberg High School added the extras. After a lengthy injury delay, the Sharks hit back through winger Jadrian Afrikaner (Westville) to regain the lead. Liyema converted, and the Sharks led 10-7. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Middelburg Observer (@mobserver) It was then time for one of the most talked-about South African schoolboys – Markus Muller of Paarl Gimnasium – to show why he is held in high regard. His powerful leg drive resulted in a try for the try-scoring machine. Ethan converted from the touchline, and WP took the lead (14-10). Another penalty by Liyema put his side within one point. Unforced errors by both flyhalves – first by Ethan from the restart kick, and then the more costly mistake by his counterpart, Liyema. The latter's knock forward on his tryline resulted in an attacking scrum for WP that led to a penalty, and ultimately a try by prop Matthew van der Merwe of Rondebosch Boys' High School. Ethan added the extras and took the score to 21-13. As the hooter sounded, WP were awarded a penalty and opted to go for the poles. Ethan added three more points, and Province led 24-13 at the break. Sharks winger Jadrian almost scored his second try of the match, but knocked the ball on before the tryline. The missed opportunity signalled a turn in momentum again as replacement WP prop Jordan Jooste (Paarl Boys' High School) showed a clean pair of heels and finished brilliantly with a Bryan Habana-esque dive. Of course, Ethan sent the ball through the middle of the posts. At 31-13, Jordan had another powerful burst towards the tryline, leading to an attacking scrum for his side. No 15 Jadon Ocks (Hoër Landbouskool Boland), listed on the team sheet as a winger for this encounter, added five more points in the resulting play. Ethan had a tough kick, again from the touchline, to keep his perfect kicking record of the match intact, extending WP's lead to 38-13. WP added another try, scored by captain Josh Neill (Rondebosch) and converted by Ethan, to book their place in the main match of the final day – against the SWD Eagles – with a convincing 45-13 win. Will they win the unofficial final for the sixth consecutive time? We find out on Saturday. Photos and video: Action on and off the field at the FNB U18 Craven Week
The Citizen
7 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Photos and video: Action on and off the field at the FNB U18 Craven Week
Photos and video: Action on and off the field at the FNB U18 Craven Week Future rugby stars are lighting up the field at the 2025 FNB U18 Craven Week being played at Middelburg Hoërskool in Mpumalanga. On the field, provincial players are showcasing their prowess, while off the field, a friendly rugby match between kids got the crowd up on their feet and stole the show. Relive the action: Day 1 Limpopo vs Pumas | WP XV vs Griffons | Lions vs Bulls | Lions vs Bulls | SWD vs Free State | Photos: Frans Lombard/Actionpix. Make sure to keep an eye on his Facebook page for more. Read more: SWD stun Free State, Lions trump Bulls and Pumas pummel Limpopo Day 2 Leopards vs Valke | Border vs Griquas | Border vs Griquas | WP vs Boland | Photos: Frans Lombard/Actionpix. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Middelburg Observer (@mobserver) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Middelburg Observer (@mobserver) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Middelburg Observer (@mobserver) Read more: WP hit 80 as Border and Sharks win, and Leopards and Valke draw Watch the kids steal the show: Day 3 Limpopo vs Griffons | Pumas vs WP XV | Bulls vs Free State | SWD vs Lions | Photos: Frans Lombard/Actionpix. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Middelburg Observer (@mobserver) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Middelburg Observer (@mobserver) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Middelburg Observer (@mobserver) Read more: Limpopo fight back as Pumas, Bulls and Lions bullied
