Latest news with #WesternProvinceXV
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
U18 Craven Week day three results: Wins for SWD, Free State
There were also wins for the Limpopo Blue Bulls and Western Province XV. Free State centre Ethan Adams dives over the line for a try in his team's match against the Blue Bulls. Picture: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images South Western Districts continued their impressive run at this year's Craven Week for U18 teams in Middelburg, while the Western Province XV also extended their winning record on the third day of the tournament. Free State, after falling to SWD by a point on day one, bounced back with a fine win on Wednesday against the Blue Bulls. After edging Free State 35-34 in their first fixture of the tournament, SWD dominated the clash against the Golden Lions on Wednesday, scoring eight tries in a resounding 54-22 victory. Christiaan Vorster and Jacobus de Villiers scored two tries apiece for the Eagles. Earlier in the day, Limpopo completed an incredible comeback against the Griffons, after trailing 19-0 in the first quarter. Hooker Ziahn Lombaard scored a hat-trick while fullback Ryno Mienie slotted seven conversions to steer their team to an unlikely 49-44 victory. Fresh off their 52-6 win over the Griffons, the WP XV racked up a further 45 points and seven tries against the Pumas, with lock Gershom Pieters and replacement forward Caleb Koeberg grabbing a brace apiece. Free State scored seven tries in a 52-33 victory against the Blue Bulls. Fullback Lamla Mgedezi and No 13 Ethan Adams starred for the winners, scoring three and two tries respectively, while centre Thabiso Simelane claimed a hat-trick for the losing side. On Thursday, the main match will be played between Western Province and the Sharks. Craven Week day three results: Limpopo Blue Bulls 49 (21) Griffons 44 (31) Western Province XV 45 (33) Pumas 14 (7) Free State 52 (27) Blue Bulls 33 (19) Golden Lions 22 (7) SWD 54 (26) Craven Week day four fixtures: 10am: Boland v Valke 11.30pm: Griquas v Leopards 1pm: Border v Eastern Province 2.30pm: Western Province v Sharks
The South African
6 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Craven Week: Shocks on Day 1 as Free State and Blue Bulls LOSE
South Western Districts and the Lions claimed one-point victories while the Western Province XV and the Pumas were also among the winners on the first day of the U18 Craven Week at Hoërskool Middelburg. The U18 Craven Week got off to an explosive start in Middelburg on Monday, with 37 tries scored across the four matches. 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. 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 to 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 U18 Craven Week will continue at Hoërskool Middelburg on Tuesday, with the Leopards taking on the Valke in the first match at 10:00. 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. Western Province XV 52-6 Griffons Free State 34-35 South Western Districts Blue Bulls 35-36 Lions Pumas 44-22 Limpopo Blue Bulls Leopards v Valke – 10:00Border v Suzuki Griquas – 11:30Sharks v Eastern Province – 13:00 Western Province v Boland – 14:30
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
U18 Craven Week kicks off in Middelburg: All the first round fixtures
An exciting week of schoolboy rugby is in store. The 2025 Craven Week for high schools kicks off at Hoërskool Middelburg in Mpumalanga on Monday. All the teams will play three matches, with the final scheduled for Saturday. Teams will play Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday, with all the provincial sides in action in their third matches on Saturday. At the conclusion of the tournament, the SA Schools and SA Schools 'A' teams will be announced. They will face each other at Hoërskool Middelburg on Thursday, 17 July, while the U18 International Series will follow in August. Returnees to the Craven Week Nine players who featured in the SA Schools and SA U18 teams last year have been included in their provincial squads again. They are Josh Neill, Markus Muller, Briint Davids, Jordan Jooste (all WP), Ethan Adams, AJ Meyer (both Free State), Zekhe Siyaya (KZN), André Poulton (Lions), and Joshua McKenzie (EP). Eight teams are in action on the opening day of the tournament, with the Western Province XV and the Griffons meeting in the first fixture at 9.30am. Free State, who went down to Western Province in the final match of the 2024 tournament, will face South Western Districts thereafter. The first round of fixtures have been announced. The second and third round of fixtures will be announced after the first round. Day One schedule (Monday, 7 July) 9.30am: Western Province XV v Griffons 11am: Free State v South Western Districts 12.30pm: Blue Bulls v Golden Lions 2pm: Opening Ceremony 2.30pm: Pumas v Limpopo Blue Bulls Day Two schedule (Tuesday, 8 July) 10am: Leopards v Falcons 11.30am: Border v Griquas 1pm: Sharks High Schools v Eastern Province 2.30pm: Western Province v Boland
