GQEBERHA. – For the first time in the history of the prestigious FNB u18 Craven Week, two teams from the same union will face each other in the main match on the final day.
Western Province will face their second stringers, Western Province XV, in the unofficial final of the tournament on the Kolisi Field of Grey High School.
WP XV kept their unbeaten record by defeating the Golden Lions 43-33 in the main match on the fourth day of the week.
The winning side’s fullback, Thomas Saunders, completed a hat-trick of tries and would’ve definitely earned a few tick marks from the selectors after his superb performance.
The passing of Liam de Villiers (scrumhalf) also played a major role in their side’s success. He was pinpoint from behind the ruck, finding the right runners with absolute precision.
The team from the Western Cape, led by captain and flank, Yanos Molnar, also put in another mammoth performance up front.
The Golden Lions just made too many mistakes in the second half to keep WP XV under pressure for long enough. The side’s wing, Ruan Genis, got in a couple of good runs, while Armand van Eck (eighthman), Glodi Tshipamba (lock), and Diandro Botha (prop) also deserved a pat on the back.
The Griffons secured a solid 29-12 victory over the Valke. The Purple People Eaters were ready to play some running rugby, and their wings, Qlin Booyse and Shovee de Villiers, each completed a brace. Each of those four tries was a highlight reel on its own.
Scorers:
Western Province XV 43 (10) – Tries: Thomas Saunders (3), Luhan Hattingh, Luca Orgill, Max Malan. Conversions: Travis Pheiffer (5). Penalty: Pheiffer. Golden Lions 33 (19) – Tries: Diandro Botha, Armand van Eck, Ruan Genis, Glodi Tshipamba, Tidi Moeketsane. Conversions: Jaydon Viljoen (4).
Griffons 29 (12) – Tries: Shovee de Villiers (2), Qlin Booyse (2), Penalty Try. Conversion: Jadewin Solomons. Valke 12 (0) – Tries: Jerado Tafel, Duwayne Zeekoei. Conversion: Dian Botha.
Fixtures for the final day of the FNB u18 Craven Week | Saturday, 11 July 2026
KOLISI FIELD
13:00 – Western Province vs Western Province XV
11:30 – Sharks vs Golden Lions
10:00 – Free State vs Blue Bulls
08:30 – Eastern Province vs South Western Districts
B-FIELD
10:00 – Boland vs Pumas
08:30 – Griqualand West vs Griffons
C-FIELD
10:00 – Border vs Leopards
08:30 – Valke vs Limpopo Blue Bulls
