Friday’s third and final day of the 2026 Grant Khomo Week ended in high-scoring fashion, with some superb individual performances catching the spotlight and delivering magical moments.
On Stott Field at Kearsney College, Valke outside centre Keanu van der Merwe broke through for two tries in his side’s convincing 52-12 win over the Iqhawe XV.
Meanwhile, on the AH Smith Field, South Western Districts (SWD) overcame the Limpopo Blue Bulls 24-15 in a hard-fought contest in which both sides had their fair share of possession and momentum.
SWD left-wing Lethugqin Campher‘s two tries gave his team 10 points, which was enough to secure victory.
Eastern Province saved their best performance for last, handing the Blue Bulls XV a 46-33 loss, thanks to a strong all-round performance, which produced seven different try-scorers, while flyhalf Carlo Booysen tallied 11 points via four conversions and a penalty.
Griquas also peaked at the end. Many of their exciting attacking opportunities on the first two days were hindered by knock-ons and slow distribution from the breakdown. They fixed those issues in their last outing, rolling to a fantastic 55-19 victory over the Griffons.
Fullback Lee-Marquin Cronje converted five times and dotted down twice for a personal haul of 20 points. He could very easily have scored more if not for some desperate defence from the northern Free Staters.
After being denied points on the first two days, Kenya, at last, got onto the scoreboard. Fullback Shawn Maina knocked over three penalties in a 9-55 loss against Border Country Districts.
The Border backline ran riot. Fullback Samphiwe Nkontso and inside centre Elam Bene bagged braces, while left-wing Patrick Junior Theron raced over for a memorable hat-trick.
Scorers:
Valke 52 (14) – Tries: Keanu van der Merwe (2), Antonio Leakay (2), Bokang Mabina (2), David Myburgh, penaltry try. Conversions: Mabina (5). Iqhawe XV 12 (5) – Tries: Emiliano Jon-Leigh Adams, Zyloh Redolf. Conversion: Keanan Aden Jafta.
Border Country Districts (Border CD) 55 (31) – Tries: Patrick Junior Theron (3), Elam Bene (2), Samphiwe Nkontso (2), Yolo Goliath, Khulani Nditshane. Conversions: Theron (2), Yongama Khuza (2), Goliath. Kenya 9 (6) – Penalties: Shawn Maina.
Griquas 55 (24) – Tries: Lee-Marquin Cronje (2), Denver Moeng (2), Wayden White, Schalk Engelbrecht, Lefa Pakalitha, Curtleigh Fortuin, Jeandré Plaatjies. Conversions: Cronje (5). Griffons 19 (7) – Tries: Carl Potterill, Christoff van Schalkwyk, Henré Russouw. Conversions: Tian Jordaan (2).
Eastern Province 46 (24) – Tries: Curtley Deyce, James Muir, Nqaba Rwanqa, Reagan de Beer, Jayde Allens, Dian Derbyshire, Carl Killian. Conversions: Carlo Booysen (4). Penalty: Booysen. Blue Bulls XV 33 (14) – Tries: Marco Engelbrecht (2), Hanru Botha, Jayren Wogane, Phenyo Mohlamoyane. Conversions: Wilhelm Boer (3), James Williams.
South Western Districts (SWD) 24 (10) – Tries: Lethugqin Campher (2), Jordan Larson, Gus Vorster. Conversions: Juan Swem (2). Limpopo Blue Bulls 15 (8) – Tries: Ruben Vorster, Michael Oliver. Conversion: Joe Ras. Penalty: Ras.
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