Tries galore on eventful second day of Craven Week

The Leopards, Griffons, Golden Lions and Blue Bulls recorded big wins on day two of the SA Rugby U18 Craven Week at Outeniqua Park in George.

The Leopards proved too strong for Griquas in the opening fixture of the day. After leading 12-7 at halftime, they kicked on to score 34 unanswered points in the second half – and seven tries in all.

Wing Lebogang Wageng touched down twice for the side from the North West.

Too good from the Leopards ??

They open day two of Craven Week with an impressive 46-7 win over the Griquas!

?? Stream live: https://t.co/bDeiretgWP pic.twitter.com/xIJSOYr4Su

— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) July 4, 2023

The next match between the Griffons and Limpopo Blue Bulls followed a similar pattern. The team from the far north of the country actually led 17-10 at the break, before the Northern Free Staters fired to claim an emphatic 43-22 win.

The Lions delivered a dominant showing in their 55-29 victory over the Pumas. Hooker Esethu Mnebelele as well as backs Kelvin van Wyk and Caleb Lombard scored two tries apiece, with the side from Gauteng crossing the line nine times overall.

In the final game of the day, the Blue Bulls scored six tries in their 40-5 win against Border. Hooker Shaun Schürmann and loose forward Luann Olivier both bagged braces for Bulls.

The Craven Week action will continue on Wednesday morning, with the Valke tackling the South Western Districts in the first clash at 10:30am CAT (SA, GMT+2), with the action culminating at 3pm, when Western Province tackle the Sharks.

U18 CRAVEN WEEK DAY 2 RESULTS:

Griquas 7 (7) – Tries: Damian McClean. Conversion: Elridge Jack.

Leopards 46 (12) – Tries: Carlo van Wijk, Renier Rall, Hennoh Visser, Collin Pereira, Lebogang Wageng (2), Lorenzo Snyers. Conversions: Leonard Bevan (4). Penalty goal: Jaden Meyer.

Griffons 43 (10) – Tries: Heinrich Loubser, Ethan Jones, Fano Linde, Charlten Basson, Andi Mentz, Penalty try. Conversions: Nalie Kiewet, Pasco Mokoena (3). Penalty goal: Kiewet.

Limpopo Blue Bulls 22 (17) – Tries: Gerdro Grobler, Mahlatse Semosa, Hope Seyaga. Conversions: Wian Terblanche (2). Penalty goal: Terblanche.

Golden Lions 55 (29) – Tries: Esethu Mnebelele (2), Thandolwethu Biyela, Daylon Myners, Kelvin van Wyk (2), Caleb Lombard (2), Khuti Rasivhaga. Conversions: Myners (3), JT Kapank (2).

Pumas 29 (10) – Tries: Corneluis Lottering, Fumani Chauke, Ryan Venter, Sifiso Nhleko. Conversions: Zander Erasmus (3). Penalty goal: Erasmus.

Blue Bulls 40 (14) – Tries: Shaun Schürmann (2), Luann Olivier (2), Divan Brits, Brooklyn Newman. Conversions: Nicallen Gabrielsen (5).

Border 5 (5) – Tries: Dewan du Preez.

U18 CRAVEN WEEK DAY 3 FIXTURES:

10:30am Valke v South Western Districts

12pm: Western Province XV v Free State

1:30pm: Eastern Province v Boland

3pm: Western Province v Sharks