Free State and the Pumas remain undefeated after securing important wins on day four of the U18 Craven Week at the Hoërskool Monument in Krugersdorp.
Free State and the Pumas – as well as Boland and Western Province – have two wins in as many games and will look to gain some momentum going into Saturday’s final round of fixtures.
The Pumas moved 60 points clear of the Limpopo Blue Bulls on Tuesday and were just as ruthless in Thursday’s clash with the Griffons, scoring nine tries in a 57-26 win. Lock Franko Rossouw touched down twice, while flyhalf Matthew Abbey, the tournament’s top scorer, contributed 17 points.
After defeating the Griffons 57-36 in the first round, Free State had reason to be confident ahead of their showdown with the Bulls on Thursday afternoon.
The Central Union scored three tries in the first half, before the Bulls clawed their way back into the match. However, late touchdowns from fullback Heinz Stockenstrom – who finished with a brace – and No. 8 Liam Santos secured a 34-27 victory for Free State.
Earlier in the day, Griquas and the Limpopo Blue Bulls showed their attacking intent in a high-scoring match that saw a total of 15 tries scored.
The Northerners led 18-12 at half-time before Griquas took their performance to the next level in the second stanza to claim a 53-37 victory.
The Golden Lions bounced back from a narrow loss to the Bulls to beat the WP XV 37-33 on Thursday, outscoring the Cape side by six goals, with replacement full-backs Cheswill Jooste and Michael Benzien netting two each.
The final day of the tournament on Saturday starts with a match between the Leopards and Limpopo Blue Bulls.
Results day 4:
Griquas 53-37 Limpopo Blue Bulls
Griffons 26-57 Cougars
Golden Lions 37-33 WP XV
Blue Bulls 27-34 Free State
Day 5 competitions:
8am: Leopards v Limpopo Blue Bulls
9.15am: WP XV vs Pumas
9.20 am: Valke against Griquas
10.35am: Lions vs SWD
10.40am: Border against Griffons
11:55 am: Bulls vs. Sharks
12.00: Boland against EP
1.15 pm: WP against Vrijstaat
SA Rugby magazine
www.sarugbymag.co.za