The u16 FNB Grant Khomo Week always promises to display the best talents that u16 South African rugby has to offer, and it delivered in bucket loads during Monday’s opening fixtures on Stott Field at Kearsney College.
Lions flyhalf Cian Jonck found and exploited space on two occasions to collect a brace that put the Lions too far ahead for the Sharks to climb back into the game. They were 20-3 up with 12 minutes to go, and the regional hosts scored twice to almost claim the comeback in their 20-17 defeat.
Lock Mxolelo Mtetwa scored the try that ignited the comeback. He was one of the best players on the day, delivering a top-notch work rate in all areas of the game.
Speaking of some of the best players of the day, Western Province inside centre JP Immelman scored a resounding five tries in his side’s 73-14 dismantling of the Griffons.
Even though they were defeated on the scoreboard, the side from the northern Free State could not be defeated in spirit. They played with heart until the final whistle, and were rewarded with an intercept try from utility back Ntando Khubheka for their resilience.
Eighthman Dylan Badenhorst-Schnetler was a bulldozer with ball-in-hand. He scored a hat-trick with his powerful carries, and presented the perfect example of physicality that the Bulls are known for, as the Pretoria outfit defeated Eastern Province 58-5.
Being down 32-17 at the break, it looked as though South Western Districts (SWD) were going to overcome the Free State; however, the Cheetahs were absolutely dominant in the second half, scoring 33 points to nil to secure a 50-32 victory.
Right-wing Siya Mdunge scored a phenomenal individual try after receiving a kick around the halfway line. He sliced through SWD like butter to secure his five points.
Of course, many people will look at those big outfits and point out their class. However, let’s not forget the phenomenal performance that the Limpopo Blue Bulls delivered to beat the Griquas 15-14 in a thrilling opening encounter to the competition.
Fullback Lee-Marquin Cronje was electric for the Northern Cape representatives, dancing through defenders and impressing the crowd with some smooth one-handed offloads.
On Wednesday, day two only promises more excitement with fixtures such as the Bulls versus Free State and Western Province battling the Lions.
Video Highlights from Day 1 at the bottom of the article
Scorers:
Golden Lions 20 (12) – Tries: Cian Jonck (2), Connor de Matteis. Conversion: Jonck. Penalty: Jonck. Sharks 17 (3) – Tries: Mxolelwa Mtetwa, El-Jay Alexander. Conversions: Liam Jacobs (2). Penalty: Benitez Mickson.
Blue Bulls 58 (20) – Tries: Dylan Badenhorst-Schnetler (3), Heinrich Becker (2), Tyron Strauss (2), Divann Olivier, Gerrit du Plooy. Conversions: Lian de Jager (3), Le Roux Badenhorst. Penalty: Badenhorst. Eastern Province 15 (3) – Tries: Lindokuhle Mono, Durandt Muller. Conversion: Carlo Booysen. Penalty: Charles Broster.
Western Province 73 (29) – Tries: JP Immelman (5), Robin Kabamba (2), Geshem Pieterson (2), Logan Linnen, King-Carter Stoffels, Fabio van Wyk, Raa’id Davids. Conversions: King-Carter Stoffels (4). Griffons 14 (7) – Tries: Rushen Kannemeyer, Ntando Khubheka. Conversions: Tian Jordaan (2).
Free State 50 (17) – Tries: Jayden Els (2), Usenathi Qamba, Readon Williams, Abrie von Willing, Siya Mdunge, Theuns Fourie. Conversions: Juan Erwee (6). Penalty: Erwee. South Western Districts 32 (32) – Tries: Juan Swem (2), Zerwich Westraad, Adriano Hendricks. Conversions: Cameron Leigh Botha (3). Penalties: Botha (2).
Limpopo Blue Bulls 15 (8) – Tries: Petit Faye, Marcus Weyer. Conversion: Lodrian Steyn. Penalty: Steyn. Griquas 14 (7) – Tries: Wayden White, JJ Ludick. Conversions: Lee-Marquin Cronjé (2).
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