Eastern Province won the last two unofficial finals of the LSEN Week and went unbeaten in those two campaigns. On Friday, they closed day one of the 2026 edition with style at the Baysville School of Skills in KuGompo City.
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They wracked up the highest score of the day, overrunning the Leopards 76-9 to record the largest winning margin of the day while also making a serious statement about their intent to make it three unofficial titles in a row.
The only side to achieve that feat since the national week’s first edition in 1982 was Boland between 2014 and 2016.
Outside centre Rechenald Human and left-wing Willdon Maart showed off their speed with two tries each, while loosehead prop Luciano Byneveldt‘s powerful ball carrying brought him a brace, too.
The Blue Bulls and Western Province (WP) look to be the strongest contenders to Eastern Province’s title. They collected 59 and 52 points in their respective wins, excelling on attack.
Bulls’ eighthman Marthinus Bester was the only player to score a hat-trick on the opening day. He was tough to tackle and also delivered some strong tackles of his own. He exhibited strength and stamina and was one of the most exciting players on display.
The Cheetahs and Golden Lions produced the most thrilling contest of the day. Down 0-12 at the break, the Lions clawed their way back into the game, but came up just shy, with the Cheetahs claiming a slim 20-17 victory.
Inside centre Caleb Mans created the three-point difference with his successful penalty strike, while left-wing Lesego Seekoei bagged a brace with his pace out wide.
On Saturday, the Western Province versus the Bulls match will be in the spotlight, with the winner likely earning a place in the unofficial final.
It should be an evenly-contested battle between the Sharks, who opened with a 40-12 victory over the Griffons, and the Cheetahs, while Boland, 32-12 winners over the Valke in their opener, will aim for an upset of Eastern Province.
Scorers:
Sharks 40 (12) – Tries: Marco Fritz, Jayden Pain, Tristan Kotze, Wade Berning, Matthew Rothaus. Conversions: Fritz (4), Pain. Griffons 7 (7) – Try: Ricardo Bosman. Conversion: André Bischoff.
Blue Bulls 59 (33) – Tries: Marthinus Bester (3), Justin Sebeko, Juandré Marais, Janco Erlank, Theo West, Hendrik Fourie, Jacques Fourie. Conversions: Marais (7). Pumas 0.
Cheetahs 20 (12) – Tries: Lesego Seekoei (2), penalty try. Penalty: Caleb Mans. Golden Lions 17 (0) – Tries: Donté van Dyk, Kaylin Kitup, Henru Strydom. Conversion: Ashton Mills.
Boland 32 (15) – Tries: Giwaan Isaacs, Jay-Tee Titus, Niquin Swartz, Caleb Louw, Siyanda April. Conversions: Swartz, April. Penalty: Swartz. Valke 12 (5) – Tries: Ompile Dubase (2). Conversion: Taylor Stanford.
Western Province 52 (12) – Tries: Lincoln Prince (2), Jean McEwan (2), Chandley Jacobs (2), Ashraf Wanza, Wesley Kennemeyer. Conversions: Prince (6). South Western Districts 0.
Eastern Province 76 – Tries: Rechenald Human (2), Luciano Byneveldt (2), Willdon Maart (2), Shaundré Pienaar, Leanges Snyers, Irin Russouw, Gavin Armoed, Jade Goliath, Justin Plaaitjies. Conversions: Zaynodeen Bennie (7), Lumi Kondile. Leopards 9 – Penalties: Tshepang Johnson.
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