Day two of the Grant Khomo Week at Kearnsey College again delivered some upsets, with some tight contests highlighted by spectacular try-scoring.
After the second day’s matches concluded, it was decided that the Blue Bulls and Lions would meet for the title of unofficial champion.
The sides will kick off on Friday on Stott Field at 15:00. For the Lions, it will be their first tilt in the main game since 2015.
The Bulls earned their place in the main game with a 48-38 win over Free State.
Both sets of forwards were ferocious in the mauls and scrums. Bulls’ props Taylor Nel and Gerrit du Plooy won two scrum penalties together, which created big momentum shifts that arguably won the match for the Pretoria locals.
Among the backs, Free State scrumhalf Usenathi Qamba took his week’s personal try-tally to three with his brace. He identifies and snipes through gaps in the blink of an eye.
It came as a surprise when the Lions defeated the Sharks 20-17 on day one, but the Johannesburg representatives impressed again with a heart-stopping 34-33 victory over Western Province (WP).
WP hooker Fabio van Wyk brought cheers from the crowd by scoring a try and adding two conversions. He has a powerful frame, similar to Springbok no. 2 Bongi Mbonambi, but he struck the ball with Handré Pollard‘s level of precision.
Lions’ fullback Connor de Matteis, a try scorer in the win over the Sharks, again got himself on the scoresheet with another five-pointer, while flyhalf Cian Jonck managed the game brilliantly. He also slotted three conversions and two penalties, which were crucial contributions to the Lions’ victory.
In last year’s main game, the Sharks overwhelmed Western Province 51-28. This year, they’ve both been beaten by the Lions. They’ll meet in the curtain-raiser to the unofficial final.
The Sharks will feel confident after a 27-12 win over the Pumas on Wednesday. Utility back Liam Jacobs crossed for a try and added a conversion. His tactical kicking was also smart and accurate.
Jet-shoed right-wing Warona Modise looked like scoring every time he received the ball, and he sped over the try line twice. He’ll be one on whom to keep an eye.
Border claimed another win, downing South Western Districts (SWD) 25-17. They’ll have arguably their toughest battle yet when they contend with Free State on Friday.
The Leopards remained undefeated after Wednesday’s clashes, scoring 36 unanswered points in the second half to win 43-12 against the Limpopo Blue Bulls after trailing 7-12 at the break.
Hoërskool Wesvalia hooker Nico Theron provided one of the highlights of the match, scoring a brilliant breakaway try when he raced clear from the base of the ruck and scored from 25 metres out.
Scorers:
Leopards 43 (7) – Tries: Nico Theron, Eden de Villiers, Barend Willemse, Houston Petrus, Ruben Broderick, Mondray Ardense. Conversions: Ryan Pheiffer (4), Emile Johannes. Penalties: Pheiffer. Limpopo Blue Bulls 12 (12) – Tries: Ruben Vorster, Philani Siguqa. Conversions: Lodrian Steyn.
Border 25 (18) – Tries: John Schmidt, Axola Qabaka, Uyanda Meveni, Dian van Rooyen. Conversion: Hlombe Dlani. Penalty: Dlani. South Western Districts (SWD) 17 (10) – Tries: Roché Munro, Malique McGregor, Juan Swem. Conversion: Cameron Botha.
Sharks 27 (17) – Tries: Warona Modise (2), Liam Jacobs, Tyler Gill, Phenyo Chisi. Conversions: Jacobs. Pumas 12 (12) – Tries: Gerhard du Plessis, Ankonisaho Mashau. Conversions: Michael Ronquest.
Blue Bulls 48 (24) – Tries: Tyron Strauss (2), Lehakoe Mokoena (2), Kean Meyer, Heinrich Becker, Gerrit du Plooy, Louwrens Grobler. Conversions: Le Roux Badenhorst (4). Free State 38 (12) – Tries: Usenathi Qamba (2), Koot Bender, Jayden Els, Tatum Kers, Taliesin Griffiths. Conversions: Juan Erwee (4).
Lions 34 (12) – Tries: Adam Brown, Oratile Tyamu, Connor de Matteis, penalty try. Conversions: Cian Jonck (3). Penalties: Jonck (2). Western Province 33 (7) – Tries: Lian van Zijl (2), Raa’id Davids, Fabio van Wyk, Zeke Finck. Conversions: King-Carter Stoffels (2), Van Wyk (2).
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