Griquas began the u18 Academy Week in top-notch form by overrunning Border Country Districts (Border CD) 64-12 on Monday in Kariega.
Their free-flowing, running rugby set the tone for a day of thrilling action at the Bergsig LSEN School.
Scrumhalf Luhan Botha and right-wing Mario Vries proved their worth, scoring two tries each. The Northern Cape representatives will face South Western Districts on Wednesday.
The Leopards were dominant in an impressive 61-14 victory against the LSEN XV. They were smooth and silky through the hands, which helped put right-wing Christopher Marthinus over the try line twice.
Loosehead prop Dylan Smith and blindside flank Daniel Schoeman both worked relentlessly, competing ferociously at the breakdowns, and were rewarded with tries. They’ve earned themselves a shot at the hosts, Eastern Province, in Wednesday’s opening game.
Boland outside centre Juwaydan van Niekerk was one of the many talented players to record a brace of tries on Monday. His efforts drastically changed the game’s outcome, as Boland won 45-39 against the Golden Lions XV after being 14-17 down at halftime.
Despite their loss, the Johannesburg team produced some impressive individual performances. Right-wing Sihle Mbambo showed off the speed of a Thoroughbred and collected three tries. They’ll aim to change their fortunes when they clash with Western Province on Wednesday.
Outside centre Jayden Enslin exhibited a good all-round skill set and was instrumental in the Limpopo Blue Bulls edging past Namibia 31-29. Running clever lines and distributing well, he ran in two tries.
Fullback Ryno Minnie was also vital to the victory, slotting four conversions and a penalty, none of which he could have afforded to miss. The Limpopo Blue Bulls’ reward for winning is a day two showdown with the Griffons.
The Valke also earned a win against a national outfit, defeating Zimbabwe 26-17.
Eighthman Rudolph du Preez and blindside flank Luca du Plooy put in heavy shifts and did the dirty work. They made many individual tackles and put their powerful lungs to work by arriving early at breakdown after breakdown. Both workhorses dived over for tries, too.
On Wednesday, the Valke will return to action against Border CD in one of many intriguing match-ups.
Scorers:
Griquas 64 (26) – Tries: Luhan Botha (2), Mario Vries (2), Frederick van Brederode, Joshua Luciano, Azingce Mphawuli, Johannes Fleming, Levaan Badenhorst. Conversions: Ezlin Swartz (4), Luciano (2). Border Country Districts (Border CD) 12 (5) – Tries: Lisakhanya Majola, Siyathanda Ngubane. Conversion: Akhauhanyo Tshaka.
Leopards 61 (14) – Tries: Christopher Marthinus (2), Mohou Modise, Gerrit Koen, Dylan Smith, Daniel Schoeman, Michael Mazonzo, Vuzi George, penalty try. Conversions: Aldin Baaitjies (7). LSEN XV 7 (7) – Try: Regie Rechenald Human. Conversion: Zaynodeen Bennie.
Boland 45 (14) – Tries: Juwaydan van Niekerk (2), Nicolai Diedericks, Harold de Silva, Teagon Roberts, Ruan Nortje. Conversions: Nortje (5), Eldrin de Koker. Penalty: Nortje. Golden Lions XV 39 (17) – Tries: Sihle Mbambo (3), Ray-Nathin van Kolver (2). Conversions: Van Kolver (4). Penalties: Van Kolver, Connor Fourie.
Limpopo Blue Bulls 31 (14) – Tries: Jayden Enslin (2), Jac Gouws, Reabetswe Senyolo. Conversions: Ryno Mienie (4). Penalty: Mienie. Namibia 29 (15) – Tries: Ignatius Kandowa, Janco Esterhuizen, MJ de Villiers, Mias Nieuwoudt. Conversions: Johann Janowitz (2), Esterhuizen. Penalty: Esterhuizen.
Valke 26 (21) – Tries: Mbuso Hlophe, Luca du Plooy, Rudolph du Preez, Innocent Vilakazi. Conversions: Chester Maccamel (3). Zimbabwe 17 (17) – Tries: Ethan Zhou, Rukudzo Mayida. Conversions: Marcus Eckard (2). Penalty: Eckard.
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