The AH Smith Field at Kearsney College produced a wide variety of results, but regardless of the scoreline, the talent was impressive on Monday’s opening day of the u16 FNB Grant Khomo Week.
Blue Bulls XV lock Hanru Botha was the only player to tally a hat-trick on the AH Smith in his side’s dominant 107-0 victory over Kenya.
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In a match with a completely different tenor, the Leopards fought tooth and nail to claim a nail-biting 27-26 triumph over the Valke.
Scrumhalf Ryan Pheiffer produced clinical goal-kicking in windy weather to seal the deal, converting twice and landing two penalties.
The Pumas also shared a thriller, edging out Boland 32-29. Openside flank Junais Wewers was all over the place for the Western Cape outfit, crossing for two tries while also contributing impressive cover defence.
Nonetheless, his efforts weren’t quite enough. Pumas’ flyhalf Michael Ronquest was on song off the kicking tee, collecting 22 points via six penalties and two conversions.
Most goal-kickers struggled in the windy conditions.
Border was superb in their 57-10 victory over Namibia. Inside centre Liqhawe Makitiwana ran some excellent lines at top speed to split the opposition defence wide open and crossed the whitewash twice.
His midfield partner, Anam Molose, delivered an equally impressive performance to secure a brace of his own. South Western Districts will need to be prepared to deal with the centre pairing if they are to prevent being bullied in the midfield.
The Iqhawe XV was near flawless in their 68-8 victory over Border Country Districts (Border CD).
With outside centre Johaygan Hyron Botha and openside flank Chad Peters breaking the opposition’s defensive line on multiple occasions with their charging runs, both bagged braces while creating attacking opportunities for their peers.
Both players were also good at halting the opposition’s momentum with some well-timed tackles. They weren’t the only two to cast a big influence on the game, but their enthusiasm certainly rubbed off on their peers. Botha led the backs with his attacking prowess, while Peters led the pack, often the first to charge the line and reach the breakdown.
Wednesday’s second day of action will ramp up the intensity, with Eastern Province and Boland both seeking their first wins. Griquas and Border Country Districts are set for a tightly contested battle.
Scorers:
Pumas 32 (16) – Tries: Jacques Charl Winterbach, Gerhard du Plessis. Conversions: Michael Ronquest (2). Penalties: Ronquest (6). Boland 29 (10) – Tries: Junaid Wewers (2), Stiaan Kotze, Linden Mauritius. Conversions: Deholyn Boois (3). Penalty: Boois.
Border 57 (26) – Tries: Liqhawe Makitiwana (2), Anam Molose (2), Dian van Rooyen, Axolo Qabaka, Ata Gova, Zac Roseieur, Uyanda Meveni. Conversions: Hlombe Dlani (5), Uyinthando Goso. Namibia 10 (10) – Try: Dian Delport. Conversion: Duan Kruger. Penalty: Kruger.
Leopards 27 (13) – Tries: Ryan Seas, Nathan van Staden, Stephan du Preez. Conversions: Ryan Pheiffer (2), Emile Johannes. Penalties: Pheiffer (2). Valke 26 (21) – Tries: Keanu van der Merwe (2), Demeo Williams. Conversions: Bokang Mabina. Penalties: Mabina (3).
Iqhawe XV 68 (33) – Tries: Johaygan Hyron Botha (2), Chad Peters (2), John Gillmer, Emiliano Jon-Leigh Adams, Keagon Farmer, Neo Liyema Mpashe, Keanan Aden Jafta, Azukwa Duma. Conversions: Gillmer (5), Jafta (4). Border Country Districts 8 (3) – Try: Khulani Nditshane. Penalty: Patrick Junior Theron.
Blue Bulls XV 107 (45) – Tries: Hanru Botha (3), Francois Schoeman (2), Ethan Johnson (2), Neil de Kock (2), Rebby Mpopetsi, Phenyo Mohlamonyane, Lothar Dedekind, Lee Quin van Wyk, Luke Gabriels, Juandré Barnard, Jayden Morris, Penalty Try. Conversions: Ethan Johnson (9), Phenyo Mohlamonyane. Kenya 0.
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