KRUGERSDORP. – The Free State will play the main match of the annual Stadio Craven Week for the first time since 2011.
The Free Staters secured a spot in the main match thanks to a 34-27 victory over the Blue Bulls on the fourth day of the tournament at the Hoërskool Monument.
The Free State will take on Western Province, who will be making their fifth consecutive appearance in the main match, for the title of unofficial champions. Province will also look to break the record for most consecutive wins at the tournament.
Free State started the match against the Blue Bulls by giving them their own medicine with captain and hooker, Liam van Wykand scored two tries with rolling mauls.
In addition to Van Wyk, the eighth, Liam Santosas well as lock AJ Meijer, was busy throughout the match.
Fly half Alzeadon Felix again delivered some magical moments. He was rightly named Man of the Match for the second time this week. He has likely cemented his place in the SA Schools side or at least the SA Schools A side, which will be announced on Friday.
Fullback Heinz Stockenström also scored a number of tries, while also converting two tries to take his tournament tally to 36 points, the most of any player in Krugersdorp to date.
His four tries also make him the Western Province flanker’s joint top scorer Josh Neill.
For the Bulls, their SA schools at center and captain, Janco Purchase, delivered one of his best performances of the season. It’s as if his fights with Pieter van der Merwe get the best out of him.
Another player who was good the day before the losing side was JD Hattingh (key lock).
Scorers
Free State 34 (17) – Try: Liam van Wyk (2), Heinz Stockenström (2), Liam Santos, Toriq Schambreel. Conversion: Stockenström (2). Blue Bulls 27 (8) – Try: Dewron Aford, JD Hattingh, Hendré Schoeman, Junaide Stuart. Conversions: Ruben Pienaar (2). Penalty: Ruben Pienaar.
Golden Lions 37 (20) – Tries: Michael Benzien (2), Cheswill Jooste (2), Kebotile Maake, Jamaal Feldman. Conversions: Vusi Moyo (2). Penalty: Moyo. Western Province XV 33 (12) – Tryouts: Sango Zangqa, Jayden Joubert, Steph van der Merwe, Derick du Preez, Tom Barnard. Conversions: Retagan van Rooi (2), David Simon (2).
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