It was a beautiful day in Johannesburg as teams made their way down to UJ Stadium for their last games of the Grant Khomo Week.
KZN took on the Leopards after losing a close game 5 – 0 against Eastern Province. KZN opted to go back to their strongest team with the majority of the players being those that started against the Pumas. Buthelezi was left out of the starting line up which meant that Bredell played at left wing with Joubert moving to fullback.
The young Sharks started well, going through the phases and attacking the Leopards. They were rewarded for their efforts in the 2nd minute when they got a penalty that was converted by Joubert to take a 3 – 0 lead. One thing that KZN did well in the early stages was to force the turnovers.
9 minutes into the game the Leopards were awarded a penalty after the referee had adjudged that a KZN player did not roll away. The Leopards got the ball over the poles after a beautiful strike to take the score to 3 all.
Halfway through the game, the Leopards scrumhalf outpaced the KZN players before offloading and the Leopards scored a beautiful try. The kicker missed the conversion.
Goodson was doing all the hardwork at the back of the scrum and was awarded with a try after a quick tap from Khanyile. Joubert converted the try to take the score to 10 – 8 in favour of KZN. Goodson again was instrumental in another try as he picked up the ball at the back of the scrum and gave it to his backline and Phahla sold a dummy before going over the line to score a converted try. The last action of the first half was a brilliant box kick from Khanyile that was chased by 3 KZN players. When the Leopards scrumhalf failed to gather the ball, Joubert dived over in the corner to score KZN’s third try before converting his own try. Halftime score was 24 – 8 to KZN.
The second started well for the Leopards who got a penalty and kicked it over to take the score to 24 – 11. KZN started ringing the changes in the 2nd half and every player on the bench got a chance to show their worth. 12 mins into the half Goodson was at it again as he picked up the ball from the back of the scrum before Phahla scored his second try of the game, the conversion was missed and the score was 29 – 11. Martin showed why he is one of the best locks in KZN with a superb display in the lineouts.
KZN tried to run the ball from their own 22 in the last minute but knocked it on in front of the Leopards goals and that’s how the game finished. Final score: KZN 29 – Leopards 11.
Tries: Goodson, Phahla (2), Joubert
Conv: Joubert (3)
Penalty: Joubert
Man of the Match: Goodson
For the match of the day, it was a fitting finale as both teams have shown why they were the best in this year’s competition. It was a game of two halves. The Cheetahs were asking all the questions in the first half and went to the break leading 7 – 0. Western Province was a better side in the second half and played like a team with a purpose and got a penalty that was converted by Swanepoel. The only try of the game came courtesy of Michael Meyer the Western Province eighthman. Western Province won the game 10 – 7.
Well done to Eastern Province and Western Province who finished unbeaten at this year’s tournament. The High Performance team will be announced after the Craven Week Tournament.
Day 3 Results:
Zimbabwe 13 – Namibia 30
KZN 29 – Leopards 11
Eastern Province 31 – Boland 25
Valke 12 – Border 20
Pumas 12 – Limpopo Bulls 30
Lions 29 – Blue Bulls 20
Griquas 17 – Griquas CD 8
Lions XV 75 – Border CD 3
SWD 47 – Griffons 13
Well done boys, Goody you good thing!
@Sir Pius, I’m not that close to the scene to know that but could find out. What I do know is that most of the Glenwood B teams are almost as good as their A teams, developing plenty depth. In fact, I reckon the unbeaten 2nd side would probably beat the 1st’s but big names and reputations have kept some in the 1st side. I think there are a few in the 2nd’s who could be aggrieved for not making 1st’s. The 2nd’s big tests will come against Affies and Grey Bloem 2nd’s sides in term 3. Not enough is said about the 2nd’s and 3rd’s who have pretty much beaten every other school in KZN quite easily….
@sir pius
Glenwoods u16 side has quite a few good,fast wings in it which is why they had 4 wings in the final round of trials. I think him being selected was just because of a good performance in trials, maybe at GW he’s just not good enough and might not give 100% every time or maybe they prefer De Waal because of his size?? We know GW are obsessed with that
One thing that caught my attention was Thobejane under the high ball, he dealt with that with ease and I realized that I don’t remember him from the Glenwood game. Here’s a lad that makes KZN A side(starting line up) but is not good enough to make an A side at Glenwood. I personally think it ridiculous, maybe Grasshopper can explain to us how this is possible.
@NW_Knight: From what I’ve seen of him, he certainly has all the skill and vision required – he is not only relying on size at the moment.
Well done to KZN. I also rate Goodson – he’s a really strong, aggressive player. The only concern is that when he played for DPHS and KZN at U12 and U13, he was huge compared to everyone else. However, his growth rate has not kept pace with his peers and he is now becoming average height and build. If you compare the impact he had at 11, 12, 13 and 14 years old to now, it’s chalk and cheese. He’s going to need a lot more skill to see him make CW in 2014.
Jordan is definitely one of the best locks and I will be great to see him at no4 (where I believe he should be) paired with a good no 5.
Good report Pius. I hope KZN can build on this preformance and do well at Craven Week 2014.
@sir pius
Goodson is a really good player and has been the inspiration behind Colleges unbeaten run
He is the main reason why the College side beat DHS from 2010 to this year. He scored an unbelievable try in 2010 to give his side a 10-6 victory. In 2011 he changed the game when he came on and he inspired a lacklusture side this year to a 12-5 win.
If waterpolo doesn’t take him then he can go far. In rugga
I rate Goodson, I think he’s a fantastic player and people must remember that name (Goodson). I would have loved to see him against Erasmus when we played them on Bowdens. Another name is Jordan Martin, I think KZN is lucky to have such good players.
Great finish to the week – congrats to the KZN boys, 1 minute away from an unbeaten run!
From this report Goodson should make SA U16 HP squad, I wonder if he’ll play 1st team at. College next year as well as their KZN front. Row who will surely play in the 2nd XV. Mazwi vs Khatide for the College no.2 jumper will be an interesting battle next year.
Koekemoer should play 10. For 1st XV while Tharatt will find it hard but might do it