Some of the country’s traditional powerhouses continued their impressive start to the tournament, amid yet another setback. The hosts, the Free State, continued their tough campaign with a second consecutive narrow defeat.
Western Province produced one of the standout performances of the day in the Craven Week competition, dismantling the Blue Bulls 52-14 with an exciting display of attacking rugby. The Golden Lions were equally impressive, crossing the tryline eight times in a dominant 53-7 win over the Sharks.
The Free State flyhalf scored the first of his two tries. Photo: Morgan Piek
Boland maintained their unbeaten start with a convincing 47-12 win over Border, while SWD enjoyed a comfortable afternoon after beating the Leopards 40-8.
Griquas got the day’s action underway with a composed 26-5 win against Namibia, while Eastern Province defeated de Valke 17-15 in one of the tightest matches of the round.
The biggest upset came when the Limpopo Blue Bulls recorded a dramatic 27-26 win over hosts Free State in a thrilling encounter.
A penalty on the stroke of full-time gave Limpopo their dramatic victory against the Free State. Photo: Morgan Piek
It was another heartbreaking result for the Cheetahs, who suffered their second successive one-point defeat after conceding again late. Despite the disappointment, the hosts performed much improved and showed much greater attacking intent than on the opening day.
On the first day of the U13 Craven Week, Border defeated the Free State 24-23 in an exciting main match of the day.
The Griffons also continued their impressive campaign by securing a hard-fought 20-15 victory over the Pumas. The win backed up the Northern Free Staters’ solid 20-0 win over Namibia on the opening day.
Western Province recovered from their 26-26 draw against the Leopards. Photo: Morgan Piek
The Academy Week competition also provided a lot of entertaining rugby.
Eastern Province held the Borderland Districts scoreless in a clinical 29-0 win, while the Golden Lions continued their unbeaten run with a deserved 31-12 victory over the Limpopo Blue Bulls.
Boland recorded the biggest win of the day, beating Zimbabwe 61-5, while Western Province completed another successful performance with a convincing 45-17 win against Border.
Western Province surpassed their traditional rivals, the Blue Bulls, in every respect. Photo: Morgan Piek
The Blue Bulls defeated the Griffons 39-5, SWD cruised to a 45-7 win over the Leopards, and the Sharks bounced back strong to beat the Pumas 36-12.
In one of the closest games to Academy Week, the Valke defeated the Cheetahs 10-5 in a closely contested match.
Craven Week Day 2 Results:
- Griquas 26–5 Namibia
- Eastern Province 17–15 Valke
- Western Province 52-14 Blue Bulls
- Limpopo Blue Bulls 27-26 Cheetahs
- Griffons 20–15 Cougars
- Golden Lions 53–7 Sharks
- SWD 40–8 Leopards
- Boland 47–12 Border
Results Academy Week Day 2:
- Eastern Province 29–0 Borderland Districts
- Golden Lions 31–12 Limpopo Blue Bulls
- Valke 10–5 Cheetahs
- Boland 61-5 Zimbabwe
- Blue Bulls 39–5 Griffons
- SWD 45–7 Leopards
- Western Province Border 45–17
- Sharks 36–12 Cougars
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