Namibia‘s blindside flank Marnu Schrader scored five tries in his side’s 90-0 win over Kenya on Wednesday, the Grant Khomo Week‘s second day of action, on the AH Smith Field at Kearsney College.
He is one of many threats that Zimbabwe will face on Friday’s third and final day of play.
After suffering a narrow 26-27 loss to the Leopards on Monday, the Valke bounced back with a resounding 71-5 victory over Zimbabwe, for whom left-wing Munashe Pande scored his side’s lone try.
Outside centre Keanu van der Merwe delivered a phenomenal performance and scored a hat-trick for the Valke. He played his heart out, displaying excellent levels of speed, strength, and stamina.
The Sharks XV showed the depth that Kwa-Zulu Natal rugby has to offer in their convincing 40-14 victory over the Blue Bulls XV.
Hooker Tumelo Nhlapo twice crashed over the try line off the back of rolling mauls. Inside centre Henco van Loggenberg bagged his brace with an awesome fusion of pace and power.
The Iqhawe XV mustered a 24-22 success against the Griffons, who again won hearts and minds with their never-say-die spirit.
Loose forward Chad Peters was impactful, scoring a try after coming off the bench, while the Iqhawe XV’s athletic inside centre Johaygon Bothma busted his way through for another five-pointer.
Peters and Bothma bagged two tries apiece in Monday’s 68-8 victory over Border Country Districts. They’ll be keen to carry that form into their last match against the Valke on Friday.
In a highly physical clash, Boland got the better of Eastern Province, scoring a hard-fought 21-12 victory.
In the latter stages of the contest, Boland began to find space out wide, where left-wing Nazrodeen Abdol and right-wing Kurtley Alkaster provided finishes, which ultimately proved to be the difference in the result.
The Sharks XV will have to prove that they can swim in deep waters when they face Boland on Friday’s final day of action on the AH Smith.
Scorers:
Namibia 90 (52) – Tries: Marnu Schrader (5), Zayden Gerber (2), David Louw, Rijk Duvenhage, Landré van Dyk, Janco Duvenhage, Alessandro Kathindi, Dian Delport, Jan Smith. Conversions: Alessandro Kathindi (6), Duan Kruger (4). Kenya 0.
Valke 71 (43) – Tries: Keanu van der Merwe (3), David Myburgh (2), Emihle Seema, Ewin Hendricks, Bokang Mabina, Demi Harris, Xolani Mazibuko, Basil Nunes. Conversions: Bokang Mabina (8). Zimbabwe 5 (0) – Try: Munashe Pande.
Iqhawe XV 24 (7) – Tries: Johaygan Bothma, Chad Peters, Ayabonga Mpisana. Conversions: Keanan Jafta (2), John Gillmer. Penalty: Jafta. Griffons 22 (5) – Tries: Luciano Thokoa, Theodor Lange, Rushen Kannemeyer, Henré Russouw. Conversion: Jean-Luc du Toit.
Sharks XV 40 (26) – Tries: Tumelo Nhlapo (2), Henco van Loggerenberg (2), Kyan Mokgwatsane, Lanner Reilly. Conversions: Lian Bezuidenhout (3), Kai East (2). Blue Bulls XV 14 (7) – Tries: Luke Gabriels, Neill de Kock. Conversions: Wilhelm Boer (2).
Boland 21 (14) – Tries: Nazrodeen Abdol, Kurtley Alkaster, William Roberts. Conversions: Caleb Balie (2), Abdol. Eastern Province 12 (12) – Tries: Anoyolo Tobeko, Tiaan Nel. Conversion: Carlo Booysen.
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