Wed.15-Jul : Limpopo BB 34 – 20 Border CD
Wed.15-Jul : Free State 43 – 19 Namibia
Wed.15-Jul : Blue Bulls 35 – 17 Pumas
Wed.15-Jul : Boland 20 – 15 Border
Wed.15-Jul : Western Province 65 – 5 Griffons (semi-final)
Team of the Day
1 : Wikus Groenewald , HJS Paarl BH & WP
2 : Shane Farmer , Tygerberg & WP
3 : Dewald Maritz , Nelspruit & Pumas
4 : Ruben van Heerden , Affies & Bulls
5 : Ruben de Villiers , HJS Paarl BH & WP
6 : Phillip Krause , Affies & Bulls
7 : Ernst van Rhyn , Paarl Gim & WP
8 : Khanya Ncusane , HJS Paarl BH & WP
9 : Embrose Papier , Garsfontein & Bulls
10 : Adriaan vd Bank , Worcester Gim & Boland
11 : Ryan Muller , Bellville & WP
12 : Cornel Smit , Bishops & WP
13 : Manual Rass , HJS Paarl BH & WP
14 : Nico Leonard , Paul Roos & WP
15 : Joshua Vermeulen , Paul Roos & WP
From SARugby.net
DHL Western Province and Cape neighbours Boland on Wednesday stamped their authority on day three of the Under-18 Coca-Cola Craven Week at the Markötter Sports Complex at Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch to keep alive their hopes of playing in the final match of the tournament on Saturday.
Hosts Western Province were in top form against the Griffons and registered an emphatic 65-5 victory, which marked the highest score so far in the tournament, while Boland staged a strong second-half comeback against Border for a 20-15 victory.
The Blue Bulls, Free State and the Limpopo Blue Bulls, meanwhile, registered their first wins of the tournament in style as they each scored over 30 points in their respective matches against the Pumas, Namibia and Border CD.
In the main matches on Thursday the Valke will go up against Griquas, and Eastern Province, who finished as the top team last season, will line up against KwaZulu-Natal.
DHL Western Province 65 (43) Griffons 5 (5)
DHL Western Province were dominant from the outset against the Griffons as they stretched the opposition’s defence and took advantage of the gaps out wide to run in an impressive six tries before the break. The hosts showed great skill on attack and capitalised on their speed out wide and fine support play, while they slipped through tackles with ease. The Griffons, meanwhile, battled to make their presence felt with their limited possession and porous defence letting them down, and managed to score only one try in the first half, which left them trailing 43-5 at the break.
The Griffons tried hard to retain possession on attack and tightened up their defence in the second half, but despite this Western Province added four tries to their tally to take their total for the match to 10. The Griffons’ efforts on attack, however, were shut down by the solid defence, which resulted in the Welkom side being unable to add to their score and having to settle for a 65-5 defeat.
Scorers:
DHL Western Province – Tries: Joshua Vermeulen, Cornel Smit, Ernst van Rhyn, Tyreeq February, Ruben de Villiers, George Lourens, Ryan Muller, Damian Willemse, Nico Leonard (2). Conversions: Joshua Vermeulen (4), Cornel Smit (2). Penalty: Cornel Smit.
Griffons – Try: Duke Jantjies.
Boland 20 (0) Border 15 (12)
Boland and Border were involved in an epic clash as the teams put their bodies on the line on attack and defence for the duration of the clash. Both teams tried to hold onto the ball and put together phases on attack, and with the defence holding well, they battled to break through. Such was the closeness of the clash Border opted for two penalties in the first 15 minutes to get on the scoreboard, but both attempts proved unsuccessful.
The East London side eventually scored the first points of the match two minutes before half time and backed it up with their second try a minute later to take a 12-0 lead at the break.
Boland bounced back strongly after the break with an early try, which in-form flyhalf Adriaan van der Bank converted to close the gap on the scoreboard to 12-7. The Western Cap side struck again in the 47th minute with a try by Steyn Olivier. Border, meanwhile, added a penalty by flyhalf Courtney Winnaar. The closing minutes were tense as the teams fought until the end for the victory, but a penalty and drop goal by Van der Bank ensured that Boland stayed ahead on the scoreboard and allowed them to secure back-to-back victories in the tournament.
Scorers:
Boland – Tries: Gilroy Philander, Steyn Olivier. Conversions: Adriaan van der Bank (2). Penalty: Adriaan van der Bank. Drop Goal: Adriaan van der Bank.
Border – Tries: Michael Botha, Tristian Coetzer. Conversion: Courtney Winnaar. Penalty: Courtney Winnaar.
Blue Bulls 35 (20) Pumas 17 (12)
The Blue Bulls delivered a solid all-round performance against the Pumas to register their first victory in the tournament with their forwards and backs combining well to push the team onto the front foot. Flyhalf and captain Eddie Fouche and scrumhalf Embrose Papier played in a vital role in sparking their attack while Fouche kept the team ahead on the scoreboard thanks to his solid goal-kicking, which earned him a personal total of 13 points in the match.
The Pumas scored the first try in the third minute and they added another in the 27th minute, but two penalties and two converted tries by the Blue Bulls forced the Pretoria side into a 20-12 halftime lead. The Pumas tried hard to retain possession and apply pressure on the Bulls after the break, but they battled to breach the solid defence and were limited to only one try in the second half.
The Blue Bulls, meanwhile, managed to cross the tryline two more times in what proved to be a tight half, while Fouche added his third penalty to secure a convincing 35-17 win.
Scorers:
Blue Bulls – Tries: Runan Venter, Ruben van Heerden, Wayne Van der Bank (2). Conversions: Eddie Fouche (2), Runan Venter. Penalties: Eddie Fouche (3).
Pumas – Tries: Ruben Roodt, Marnus Van der Merwe, Dewald Maritz. Conversion: Wessel Muller.
Free State 43 (12) Namibia 19 (7)
The first half between the Free State and Namibia was tight as the teams both tried to put together phases on attack and force their way over the advantage line. Namibia struck first with a try in the 10th minute, but the Free State hit back four minutes later while Namibia were reduced to 14 men due to a yellow card. The Bloemfontein side found their rhythm on attack soon after and did well to snuff out the gaps in the defence, which earned them four tries in 15 minutes to take a commanding lead.
Namibia, however, fought back with intent and scored three tries to reduce the deficit thanks to their ability to retain possession and apply pressure on attack. This pushed their score into double figures. The Free State, however, struck again with a try on the stroke of fulltime to secure a 43-19 victory.
Scorers:
Free State – Tries: Niel Durow, Daniel William Rust, Dian Schoonees, Kian Skippers (2), Jurie Burger (2). Conversions: Christiaan Schutte (4).
Namibia – Tries: Cliven Loubser, Christiaan Ras, Armondo Van Wyk. Conversions: Cliven Loubser (2).
Limpopo Blue Bulls 34 (24) Border CD 20 (0)
The Limpopo Blue Bulls started their clash against Border CD with a bang as they dominated territory and possession to take control of the first half. They wasted no time making their presence felt and scored the first try of the match in the fourth minute compliments of Stefan Engelbrecht, and added two more before the break to take an encouraging 24-0 lead at the break.
They built on this fine form in the second half and added three more tries to take their total for the match to six. Border CD, however, showed their fighting spirit and completely dominated the last 10 minutes thanks to their speedy backs, which earned them three tries to add to a penalty early in the second half for a 34-20 defeat.
Scorers:
Limpopo Blue Bulls – Tries: Franco Van der Watt, Stefan Engelbrecht, Salie Vermaak, Jan Coertze, Chris Jenkinson (2). Conversions: Wernich Kachelhoffer (2).
Border CD – Tries: Josh Armstrong, Aviwe Mancotywa, Soyama Ngceke. Conversion: Alrich Plaatjies. Penalty: Alrich Plaatjies.
@pietretief: Agree with what you’re saying, not necessarily about Beet’s selections, but the general comments flying around seem to suggest that spectators are missing the “grafters” and only seeing the flash players.
@beet; Morning beet, if I look at you selection of players in your day 3 team, especially the forwards. You gave a lot of credit to players that stand around and run with the ball and let the other players do the hard work. I believe that there are to many players / forwards not doing there primary work and are only there for the shine on others hard work. Forwards need to decide if the are centers or forwards/locks or loosies.
Border really let themselves down. They dominated the first half though looking out of sorts, and were indecisive at critical times. Great fight back by the Bolanders in the second half.The difference really ended up being the missed kicks by Border…Courtney hasn’t been himself with the boot this season.
Heads up boys, one more mountain to climb on Saturday!
@Tzavosky…lol, dit sal nou ‘n gedoente afgee. Maar ironies sal die “magtige” Noordwes en Limpopo definitief baie sterker word…..veral noordwes, waar baie van die belowendste spelers in plekke soos Potch, Klerksdorp en Rustenburg na Gauteng hoerskole gaan, sal moontlik nou tuis bly om CW te kan speel……..krieket, rugby maak nie saak nie…….Affies claim AB de Villiers….maar hy het natuurlik op Warmbad(Bela Bela) in Limpopo grootgeword…..Pretoria Boys High is met reg trots op hul 2 springbok hakers….maar john Smith ‘n Rustenburger (en vroer Pietersburg), terwyl Chilliboy op Tzaneen grootgeword het….so is daar 100e voorbeelde, sal nogal exciting wees as meer sulke talent op die platteland oorbly……anyway, one can only dream….groete aan my ou tuisdorp, Tzaneen
@tzavosky: Ten minste sal OVS versterk word met die GRiffons
@tzavosky: Ek sal n groot voorstander daarvan wees en dit moet sommer n 3 week lange toernooi wees
@Speartackle: Dit gaan dalk erger word. Volgens ‘n berig in Beeld vandag is daar druk op die skole rugbyowerhede om die CW te verander in ‘n kompetisie waarvoor daar volgens die 9 geografiese provinsies spanne gekies word. Dus, WP, Boland en SWD maak een span; Leeus, Valke en Bulle in een span. En natuurlik die magtige Limpopo en Noordwes om hulle hel te gee!
@Deon: Oor 5 jaar sal julle dit totaal oorheers…….daar sal geen 2014’s meer wees
@Speartackle: Ons oorheers van die begin af die CW. Wat is nou anders? http://blog.schoolboyrugby.co.za/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif
@Barry: NHS en HTSM doen basies niks nie. Die Pumas se span kom van: (Transformasie in hakies)
Nelspruit = 6(0)
HTS Middelburg = 2(0)
Middelburg = 8(5)
Ermelo = 2(1)
Patriot = 1(1)
Standerton = 2(2)
Gen. Hertzog = 1(0)
Middelburg doen dit al vir die afgelope 4-5 jaar.
Die Pumas het slegs 5 spelers van NHS in die groep van 23. Ek dink HTS middelburg het 4 spelers. Die ander spelers is van ander skole maar die meeste kom van MHS en in die Mpumalanga liga het MHS nie al hulle wedstryde gewen nie. Hoe het die ander spanne transformasie benader?
@Speartackle: Ek dink nie enigeen in die Blou Bulle-kamp kan saamsing nie. Het verloor teen WP en oorwinning teen Pumas is net troosprys.
@Speartackle: seuns het sommer namens almal gepraat. Genoeg gesê
@Kempie Pa: 35-17 is maklik! 18-17 is moeilik.
As jy Radio Ruggas geluister het sou jy weet dat die Pumas se keurders en afrigter die span wou gehad het aangesien hulle vas geglo het dat dit hul beste span is. En indien jy Middelburg gesien speel het teen die Cherries/Peaches, sou jy gesien het daardie agterspelers is witwarm.
@Kempie Pa: Moenie alles glo wat hy se nie, en na 10:00 , absoluut niks nie
@Speartackle:
Jy het die stelling gemaak dat die kus provinsies met hulle transformasie spelers die CW gaan oorheers. Die kies van gekleurde spelers is nie rerig transformasie nie aangesien hulle ook eintlik ‘n minderheidsgroep is.
Die Pumas het ‘n behoorlikke getransformeerde span met baie swart (nie gekleurde) spelers in die span. Die meeste van die agterlyn 11 to 15 is swart.
Jy het ook gese dat WP later 80% gekleurd sal wees en dat die gekleurde spelers beter natuurlike talent het. Ek dink nie dat dit waar is by die voorspelers nie. Ek sien baie gekleurde agterspelers in Noorvaal maar nog nie ‘n voorspeler nie. Daar is seker uitsonderinge.
@Djou:
Die Bulle het nie so maklik gewen nie. Daar is ook die twyfel oor hoe die Pumas saamgestel is (both sides at full strength). Die hoeveelheid HTS en Nelspruit spelers in die span laat mens wonder.
En nou gaan die Affie koor ook seker begin sing
So this settles it then. The difference between a practise match and actual match is a win for the other side. Puma supporters continued to claim a win in a practise match – without 10 Bulls-players – but now that both sides were at full strength and no experiments on the field allowed, a 35-17 win seems pretty convincing.
@Speartackle:
WP sal uit die bus val as hulle die Boland kalwers terug gee. Daar is baie ander talent beskikbaar in Kaapstad maar te veel politiek.
Die CW soos dit nou staan is “window dressing”. Daar is geen waarborg dat die beste spelers gekies sal word nie (politiek) en al is dit die geval is daar nie genoeg tyd om die spelers saam te bind in ‘n goed afgerigte eenheid nie. Vervang die week met een waar die top 4 van die Tuks week (Noorvaal) teen ‘n soortgelyke groep van ander provinsies te staan kom. Dan kan hulle uitspeel tot ‘n finaal. Die wenspanne het dan “bragging rights” vir ‘n jaar.
Die Beels is ‘n Noordvaal uitklop reeks waarvoor die spanne kwalifiseer (plek en roete). Die konsep sal ook goed werk op nasionale vlak. Ek sal graag al die wedstryde volg selfs nadat my seuns nie meer op skool is nie.
Enige persoon wat al sport op n hoër vlak gespeel het behoort te weet dat een of twee swak skakels die hele span kan afbring en dit sien mens jaar in en jaar uit en daarom sal WP, OP, SWD en Boland die CW begin oorheers
@RugbyCoach: Playing for a provincial team is only the privilege of a selective few and there are also a number of factors that makes the selections of these teams unfair.
Playing “trophy” rugby provides the opportunity to hundreds of talented players to continue playing on a high level.
Some of the best SBR will be seen after the July school holidays during the Beeld play-offs from u/14 to u19.
@RugbyCoach, @BOG: Agree with BOG. If you watch enough games and match-ups you can clearly distinguish between average, good and excellent players. If you do not have a critical mass of good and excellent players in the team (and in crucial positions), you will always suffer. Happy to hear the “specialists” view out there (I just love the sport).
Speartackle jy en rugbycoach slaan spyker op die kop.trophies baie belangrik in gautengskole kwotas benadeel die noordvaal skole, feite
@RugbyCoach: are you saying the boys do not put the same effort into their non-school matches or that they cannot adapt in a different team? Please expand on this hypothesis. Most of the boys I have been dealing with just want to play rugby, enjoy and perform!
@BOG: Jy is heeltemaal reg……daar is hele paar spanne wat benadeel word met hierdie politieke stront en dit maak my gatvol
@RugbyCoach: The “inland provinces” and probably, KZN, plays with a handicap. There is the well known quota requirement and the provinces where rugby is not the preferred sport of the “players of colour”, have a distinct disadvantage to WP, Boland, SWD, EP, and Border@Speartackle: Hoe lyk die reels van CW tov deelname van al die spelers in die groep? Moet almal nie speelkans kry in die begin 15 nie? Ek glo dat meeste van die presteerders in die eerste twee dae wel hulle sterkste span gekies het, en moontlik nie so sterk sal wees in die tweede wedstryd nie, of hoe?
@McCulleys Workshop: CW is great for a selective few excluding thousands of other also talented players. Personally I am of the opinion that SBR is primarily playing for your school.
OVS het 2 internasionale wedstryde wat voorlê……vandag Namibie en Saterdag Zimbabwe
Some grim games today…….Harties dam seems a good option
@RugbyCoach: Which provinces are more focussed on Craven Week? All of them seem to have healthy rivalry against their traditional opponents and first and foremost are looking to perform well as a school. They play anything from 12 – 22 games for their school in a season, with their mates who they have spent the last 4/5 years with every day, and if lucky/talented enough to make craven week, they play 3 games and 1 or two warm up games with players from a range of schools, with combinations and a coach they don’t know. I think the World 15 should have beaten us on Saterday, but they are all too focussed on winning cups for their clubs?
Gauteng Schools are concentrating too much on Trophies. The Schools are more important than Provincial teams, this is why they are not performing at Craven Week level. Comments?