Eastern Province was crowned the unofficial champion of the annual LSEN Week (for learners with special educational needs) for a third successive year.
On Monday, they defeated Western Province 15-12 in the main match of the tournament hosted by Baysville School of Skills in East London.
Last year, EP beat WP by the narrowest of margins, 11-10, in the main match. In 2024, they came out on top by a 17-7 margin.
Lock Justin Plaatjies opened the scoring in the main match in the 24th minute with a perfectly executed move around the front of the line-out. Flyhalf, Zaynodeen Bennie, continued his excellent form from the tee, slotting the corner conversion.
Bennie finished the tournament with 35 points. He scored 16 against Boland on the second day in East London, while opening the tournament with 14 points via seven conversions in his side’s 76-9 thrashing of the Leopards.
Western Province drew level five minutes after going behind when flanker Chandley Jacobs pounced on a loose ball near the try-line.
Winger Rylen Hawkins showcased his pace to round off in the same corner as Plaatjies to take Eastern Province’s lead to 12-7 at the break. When Bennie converted a penalty goal in the 60th minute, the outcome of the match was secured.
The Blue Bulls also finished their tournament on a high by defeating Boland by 19-17 in a closely contested match. The team from Pretoria played with pride and performed impressively during the tournament.
The Golden Lions left their best for last as they convincingly put the Pumas to the sword, romping to a 54-0 victory. Sizwe Ndweni (hooker), Mendose Tai (fullback), and Thomani Malange (tighthead prop) all completed a brace of tries.
The Valke secured a 22-7 victory over the Free State with hooker, Billy Matthee, crossing the whitewash twice.
In a tight clash, the Griffins bagged a hard-fought 10-0 victory over the Leopards, while the Sharks powered their way to a 34-7 win over South Western Districts.
Scorers:
Eastern Province 15 (12) – Tries: Justin Plaatjies, Rylen Hawkins. Conversion: Zaynodeen Bennie. Penalty: Bennie. Western Province 12 (7) – Tries: Chandley Jacobs, Yusuf Hannibol. Conversion: Yusuf Hannibol.
Blue Bulls 19 (7) – Tries: Abdul Thanda, Justin Sebeko, Ian Vorster. Conversions: Juandré Marais (2). Boland 17 (5) – Tries: Siyanda April, Giwaan Isaacs, Penalty Try.
Valke 22 (12) – Tries: Billy Matthee (2), Martino Kleyn, Ekene Diribe. Conversion: Taylor Stanford. Free State 7 (0) – Try: Rorisang Mokhele. Conversion: Nomario Jannetjies.
Golden Lions 54 (35) – Tries: Sizwe Ndweni (2), Mendose Tai (2), Thomani Malange (2), Donté van Dyk, Lwazi Shasha. Conversions: Morné Mkhabela (5), Ashton Mills (2). Pumas 0.
Griffons 10 (5) – Tries: Andile Mnyantsa, Kamohelo Malebese. Leopards 0.
Sharks 34 – Tries: Wade Berning (2), Lulo Mazwi (2), Leon de Kock, Tyrone Doig. Conversions: Marco Fritz, Jayden Pain. South Western Districts 7 – Try: Branwill Claassen. Conversion: Micah Lottering.
