Thanks to some smooth passing, Sharks’ left-wing, Lisa Sijadu, sped through space for a brace of tries against Western Province on Monday, the opening day of the u18 Academy Week, which is being hosted at the Bergsig School in Kariega.
The day’s most anticipated contest on the A-Field ended 34-27 in favour of the KwaZulu-Natal outfit.
Utility back Tanwill Onkers was crucial with the boot. His two penalties and two conversions ensured that the Sharks won the match despite being outscored by four tries to five.
In Wednesday’s penultimate match, Boland will have to be at their best if they want to upset the Sharks.
Eighthman Henco van Geelen, inside centre Samuel Smith, and utility back Luyanda Mbadamana all crossed for two tries each for the Golden Lions in their big 66-7 triumph over Eastern Province.
Staying true to the no. 8 jersey, Van Geelen made some big carries. In addition to making plenty of metres over the gain line, he was also ferocious on defence. Smith and Mbadamana ran sharp running lines to cut holes in the opposition defence.
Tighthead prop Lucas Wheeler burst over the try line, and flyhalf Cole Hurter added the extras for the Elephants’ only points against the determined Johannesburg locals. The Blue Bulls will meet the Lions in a mouthwatering Jukskei derby in the last match on Wednesday.
The Pumas‘ left-wing Kgotso Mathale Peta scored a hat-trick in the day’s opening fixture. That contribution helped his side to defeat Border 48-26. Flyhalf Gaston Brown also made a telling contribution, collecting 13 points off the boot via a penalty and five conversions.
The Blue Bulls flyhalf, Caleb Africa, was also excellent. He tallied 17 points from a try, two penalties, and three conversions, which just so happened to be the final margin between the teams in the Bulls’ victory over South Western Districts (SWD).
SWD fought back hard after going into the break 7-25 down. Despite a strong effort from their side, including outside centre Gerrit Janse van Rensburg, who added a try and a conversion, they still fell short, losing 22-39 to a well-rounded outfit.
The Griffons almost pulled off a shocking comeback after trailing 0-21 at halftime against Free State, but they ultimately lost 33-39. Scrumhalf Craydon Bibbey crossed the whitewash twice and kept the ball moving quickly for the Northern Free State side in the second half.
The Cheetahs‘ backs were certainly on song. Apart from lock Jannes Krause going over for a try, all their other five-pointers came from the backline, with fullback Ayden Cloete, left-wing Kia Babu, inside centre Kungaye Matanzima, and utility back Matthew Valentine all getting their names onto the scoresheet. They’ll hope to maintain the pace against Pumas on Wednesday.
Scorers:
Golden Lions 66 (21) – Tries: Samuel Smith (2), Luyanda Mbadamana (2), Henco van Geelen (2), Luxon Zwane, Juandré Ehlers, Ryno van der Westhuizen, Loghan Langeveldt. Conversions: Marangxa (4), Cameron Kourie (3), Allan Patu. Eastern Province 7 (7) – Try: Lucas Wheeler. Conversion: Cole Hurter.
Pumas 48 (29) – Tries: Kgotso Mathale Peta (3), Gebrand Davel, Christiaan Viljoen, Christiaan Jacques de Klerk, WP Human. Conversions: Gaston Brown (5). Penalty: Brown. Border 26 (14) – Tries: Edward Malinzi, Ntsika Boya, Lomelelo Fotoyi, Yimani Matiwane. Conversions: Bongulwethu Nyakaza (2), Mthokozisi Mbambo.
Free State 39 (21) – Tries: Jannes Krause, Kungaye Mantanzima, Kia Babu, Ayden Cloete, Matthew Valentine. Conversions: Christoff Crous (4). Penalties: Crous (2). Griffons 33 (0) – Tries: Craydon Bibbey (2), Caleb Butler, Alvinio Mintoor, penalty try. Conversions: Theuns van Rensburg (3).
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.
Blue Bulls 39 (25) – Tries: Caleb Africa, Duran Pieterse, Regan Blignaut, Neo Ledwaba, Mashego Mabuto. Conversions: Africa (3), Michael Bhuda. Penalties: Africa (3). South Western Districts (SWD) 22 (7) – Tries: Gerrit Janse van Rensburg. Converions: Gerrit Janse van Rensburg, Aldo Gouws, Liam van den Berg, Jordan Shoeman.
Sharks 34 (14) – Tries: Lisa Sijadu (2), Kevin van Vollenstee, Matthew Wilson. Conversions: Sondelani Sheleni (2), Tanwill Onkers (2). Penalties: Onkers (2). Western Province 27 (12) – Tries: Alvin Machinja, Caleb Clark, Erchel Hanga, Kirwan November, Kelebogile Somhlalo-Nkwana. Conversion: Clark.
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