Latest news with #U18CravenWeek
The South African
7 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
SA Schools claim bragging rights in Craven Week finale
SA Schools outplayed their SA Schools 'A' counterparts by 49-14 at Hoërskool Middelburg in Mpumalanga on Thursday, scoring seven tries in a victory that proved the selectors got their combinations right following the U18 Craven Week at the same venue last week. The SA Schools side looked very comfortable, especially in the first half, where they dominated play and had a deserved 28-0 lead at the break, scoring four good tries. In the second half, the 'A'-side rallied to get back in the game, scoring two tries of their own, while the winning team dotted down three more times. The SA Schools started like a house on fire with wing Jadrian Afrikaner scoring the opener two minutes in, following a good attack down the left. Flyhalf Liyema Nela kicked the conversion. The team in green dominated the opening quarter and had all the play in that time. They crossed the 'A'-side's tryline twice, only to be denied due to earlier infringements. The wall was clearly cracking early, with the SA Schools having the upper hand at scrum time and their backs running at pace. Three consecutive scrum penalties near their opponents' line yielded no result though, with over-eagerness and lack of cohesion costing them dearly. Credit to the SA 'A' side, who had to defend for all of 14 minutes before they could work their way into the SA Schools' half for the first time in the match. A spectacular try by SA Schools fullback Zekhethelo Siyaya extended the score and had the crowd on their feet. The 'A'-side attacked strongly, but lost the ball in their opponents' red zone. It was worked back with quick hands and Siyaya set off on a 60m run. It ended under the sticks for the SA Schools side, finished by the fullback with a swallow dive, leaving in his wake numerous defenders beaten by either a step or a dummy. Nela converted for a 14-0 lead halfway through the half. Altus Rabe was the next on the scoresheet for the SA Schools side after a lineout drive that finally worked, a clear indication that their combinations were starting to find each under as the game progressed. The hooker dotted down at the back of a strong maul. Nela kicked a beauty from the sideline and the score was 21-0 after 28 minutes played. On the buzzer SA Schools scored again, this time from a smooth backline move from a 5m-scrum. Siyaya ran onto a beautiful drift pass that got him outside of his defender and he dotted down under the posts to give Nela an easy fourth conversion. The second half saw changes of Bomb Squad dimensions from both teams as coaches gave everyone a run. One man that was not replaced was Siyaya and he was spot on again four minutes in, although his third try had some element of luck. The backs moved the ball well down the line, the fullback jumped into the line and when his grubber was blocked, it bounced back into his hands with no one in front of him. Replacement flyhalf Ruben Groenewald converted and the lead jumped to 35-0. SA 'A' then rallied strongly and were held up over the line 52 minutes in after a good lineout drive, and referee Excellent Mnkomo, who delivered a polished performance, got the call spot-on as the reply showed. Two minutes later the 'A'-side again were held up, but their pressure told as hooker Thomas Muller scored at the back of his pack's good drive. Replacement scrumhalf Ethan van Biljon converted, and they were finally on the board after 58 minutes. The SA Schools replied in kind with a maul try of their one, with replacement hooker Clinton Agu scoring. Groenewald converted for a 42-7 lead. They scored next again, this time following a number of strong pick-and-go's with Gert Kemp (flanker) crashing over, Groenewald extended the lead to 49-7 before SA 'A' replacement flanker Pieter Cilliers barged over from close range, following a number of good drives by his pack. Tries: Zekhethelo Siyaya (3), Altus Rabe, Jadrian Afrikaner, Clinton Agu, Gert Kemp Conversions: Liyema Nela (4), Ruben Groenewald (2) Tries: Thomas Muller, Pieter Cilliers Conversions: Ethan van Biljon (2) 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 South African
14-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Late injury change to SA Schools squad
Quintin Potgieter has been called up to the SA Schools squad following confirmation that Josh Neill has been ruled out due to a rib injury. WP loose forward Neill was initially named in the SA Schools squad, but he picked up an injury in the final match of the U18 Craven Week on Saturday. As a result, his provincial team-mate Potgieter has been called up to the SA Schools squad, while the Bulls' Elwin Janse van Vuuren (Affies) has been named in the SA Schools 'A' team. The SA Schools team will face SA Schools 'A' at Hoërskool Middelburg on Thursday at 15:00. 1 Kai Pratt (SWD / Oakdale)2 Altus Rabe (Western Province / Paul Roos Gymnasium)3 Luan van der Berg (Blue Bulls / Garsfontein)4 Lwandile Mlaba (Sharks / Westville Boys High)5 AJ Meyer (Free State / Grey College)6 Chinedu Amadi (Golden Lions / King Edward VII)7 Quintin Potgieter (Bulls / Affies)8 Jacobus de Villiers (SWD / Oakdale)9 Morne Noble (Western Province / Wynberg Boys High)10 Liyema Nela (Sharks / Hilton College)11 Jadrian Afrikaner (Sharks / Westville Boys High)12 Markus Muller (Western Province / Paarl Gimnasium)13 Ethan Adams (Free State / Grey College)14 Junaide Stuart (Blue Bulls / Garsfontein HS)15 Zekhethelo Siyaya (Sharks / Westville Boys High)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 Wasi Vyambwera (Sharks / Maritzburg College)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)
The South African
12-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Craven Week: WP hold off SWD to be crowned champions
Western Province powered past South Western Districts to win the final match of the U18 Craven Week in Middelburg while the Blue Bulls, Golden Lions and Free State finished their respective campaigns on a high. The Youth Weeks programme came to an eventful conclusion on Saturday, with all 16 teams featuring in the final round of the U18 Craven Week tournament staged at Hoërskool Middelburg. WP finished the week with three victories, while the Bulls, Boland, Lions, Leopards, Free State, Griquas and Pumas were among the winners on the final day of the competition. The battle between WP and SWD was fiercely contested, with the Eagles drawing first blood. Western Province responded with tries from fullback Jaden Ocks, captain Josh Neill – who was named the Player of the Tournament – and No 8 Quintin Potgieter to take a 17-9 lead into the break. SWD clawed their way back after WP were shown a yellow card early in the second half. Eagles prop Kai Pratt scored during this period, while flyhalf Virgil Pockpas added the conversion to reduce the deficit to 13 points. The Eagles scored again right before full time, but WP managed to secure a 27-21 victory and yet another unbeaten campaign. Earlier in the day, the Bulls thrashed Eastern Province 76-24, with wing Thabiso Simelane, centre Dylan Stumke and flanker Elwin Jansen Van Vuuren scoring two tries apiece. Simelane went on to finish the tournament as the leading try-scorer (six). The Lions dominated the first half of their match against the Western Province XV, before the Cape side hit back in the second stanza. After leading 17-7 at the break, the Gauteng outfit hung on for a 27-26 victory. Free State controlled the contest against the Sharks, who struggled with their discipline. Flyhalf Darius Erwee kept the scoreboard ticking, while hooker Marinus Oosthuizen scored two tries to steer the boys from Bloemfontein to a convincing 34-12 win. In other fixtures, the Leopards produced one of the most dominant performances of the day, scoring eight tries in a 54-7 rout of the Limpopo Blue Bulls, Griquas edged the Valke 26-19, and the Pumas were too good for Border, winning by 48-12. EP 24-76 Bulls Boland 38-36 Griffons Golden Lions 27-26 WP XV Limpopo Blue Bulls 7-54 Leopards Sharks 12-34 Free State Griquas 26-19 Valke Pumas 48-12 Border WP 27-21 SWD 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 South African
12-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
SA Schools squads announced after Craven Week
Eight players who were part of the two SA Schools squads last year have been included in the two groups again this year when the teams do battle in Middelburg in Mpumalanga on Thursday, 17 July. Western Province's Josh Neill, Markus Muller, Briint Davids, and Jordan Jooste, as well as Ethan Adams and AJ Meyer from Free State, the Sharks' Zekhethelo Siyaya, and André Poulton of the Golden Lions, all of whom featured in 2024, were again included in the two squads of 26 players each. Western Province have the most representatives in the two groups – eight players in the SA Schools team, and 12 in the SA Schools 'A' squad. The annual showpiece between the two sides will kick off at 15:00 at Hoërskool Middelburg, hosts of the U18 Craven Week. Mark Alexander, President of SA Rugby, congratulated all the players selected for the SA Schools and SA Schools 'A' teams. 'Your hard work, dedication, and performance have earned you this honour, and we celebrate your achievement today,' said Alexander. 'We also acknowledge those who missed out, and remind you that your journey is far from over. Today we celebrate not only the selection of these teams, but the promise of a pathway that nurtures excellence, resilience, and opportunity. 'These young athletes represent the future of South African rugby, and while we honour those selected, we encourage every player to remain committed to their journey. The road ahead is filled with possibilities.' Lwazi Zangqa from Border has been named as the head coach of the SA Schools side, and he will be assisted by the Bulls' Cobus van Dyk, while the SA Schools 'A' team will be coached by Flash Malinga of the Sharks, with Clinton van Rensburg of Western Province named as his assistant. 1 Kai Pratt (SWD / Oakdale)2 Altus Rabe (Western Province / Paul Roos Gymnasium)3 Luan van der Berg (Blue Bulls / Garsfontein)4 Lwandile Mlaba (Sharks / Westville Boys High)5 AJ Meyer (Free State / Grey College)6 Chinedu Amadi (Golden Lions / King Edward VII)7 Josh Neill (Western Province / Rondebosch Boys High)8 Jacobus de Villiers (SWD / Oakdale)9 Morne Noble (Western Province / Wynberg Boys High)10 Liyema Nela (Sharks / Hilton College)11 Jadrian Afrikaner (Sharks / Westville Boys High)12 Markus Muller (Western Province / Paarl Gimnasium)13 Ethan Adams (Free State / Grey College)14 Junaide Stuart (Blue Bulls / Garsfontein HS)15 Zekhethelo Siyaya (Sharks / Westville Boys High)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 Wasi Vyambwera (Sharks / Maritzburg College)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)
The Herald
11-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
EP reign supreme in provincial derby at Craven Week
The last 15 minutes of the first half in the U18 Craven Week game between Eastern Province and Border at Middleburg High School in Mpumalanga decided the outcome, with the Gqeberha side eventually walking away with a 30-12 victory. That was where the game was lost for Border as EP racked up 21 points through three converted tries, something Border defensive co-ordinators would have been disappointed with. Before that phase, the game was closely contested. Up front, it was like watching a Test match. Every opportunity EP had to kick for the poles, they did not hesitate. Tristan Kemp had three attempts for the sticks and nailed two, with the other hitting an upright. That gave EP a 6-5 lead after 20 minutes. Border's five-pointer came through backline player Njongo Mbanga. Loose forward Liyema Katikati initiated the offensive masterclass for EP in the crucial 15-minute stanza that followed. Border failed to exit the ball which prompted an EP attack from deep, then close to the 22m, they used space on the blind side where Katikati marched through to score untouched. From Border's kickoff after Kemp's conversion, EP launched another attack, showing pace and great hands in passing from their own 22m and went all the way to score their second try of the afternoon through lock Neshaun Bester. Border's defence was again at sixes and sevens and this time outside centre Erin Nelson dotted down his first try of the tournament to hand EP a 27-5 lead at halftime. Border went back to their traditional strategy of using the forwards to give them the upper hand with the backline waiting to feed in the early minutes of the second half. They used this method to dismantle the Griquas in their opening game. It worked well again, they controlled the scrums, and as a result won a penalty from which they kicked for the corner. From there, the Border forwards put in a solid driving maul for Liam Hansen to bundle over. Though EP had a period where they had a man down following the yellow card of Likhona Bill, Border failed to capitalise on the numerical advantage. Instead, it was EP who added three points to claim their first win of the 2025 edition after the heartbreak of losing to the Sharks in their first game. South Western District will face Western Province/Sharks in the final on Saturday. Daily Dispatch
