The Absa Under-21 and Under-19 Provincial rugby championships kicked off on Saturday 11 July with a number of surprise results highlighting the competiveness of these leagues.
The Absa Under-21 and Under-19 Provincial rugby championships kicked off on Saturday 11 July with a number of surprise results highlighting the competiveness of these leagues.
In the Under-21 competition EP Kings went down 12-58 to Toyota Free State. Both the EP The teams are competing in the Premier Division, with the U19 side having proved highly competitive in their maiden season at that level last year, while the U21 outfit won the First Division and then trounced Border in the promotion-relegation match to earn their spot among the elite.
Defending champions, the Vodacom Blue Bulls, suffered a heavy defeat against southern neighbours, the Golden Lions, whilst 2014 finalists DHL Western Province also came up short against the Cell C Sharks in Cape Town.
Toyota Free State 58 (20), EP Kings 12 (0)
A rampant Toyota Free State side had way too many attacking weapons for the visiting EP Kings in Bloemfontein on Saturday and won going away. The home side scored nine tries in their 58-12 win. The Kings kept things tight in the first half, but after the break, the greater attacking urgency of the home team proved decisive.
Scorers:
Free State 58 (20). Tries: Andre Swarts (flyhalf), Carel-Jan Coetzee (wing), Jan-Albert Venter (lock), Nicolaas Lee (centre), Jasper Wiese (replacement flank), Gunther Janse van Vuuren (prop), Henry Immelman (fullback), Steven Meiring (no8, 2). Conversions: Swarts (5). Penalty: Swarts.
EP Kings 12 (0). Tries: Wynand Grassmann (no8, 2). Conversion: Malcolm Jaer (fullback).
DHL Western Province 13 (0), Cell C Sharks 17 (3)
The Cell C Sharks came away with a close, but well-deserved 17-13 win over the DHL Western Province at City Park on Saturday. The visitors used the windy and cold conditions better and took control in the second half of a tight match, thanks to a powerful bench that included Thomas du Toit and Dan du Preez. They also capitalised on some ill-discipline from the home side, with scrumhalf Rowan Gouws kicking four penalties.
Scorers:
Western Province 13 (0). Try: Christo van der Merwe (replacement flank). Conversion: Ernst Stapelberg (flyhalf). Penalty: Stapelberg.
Sharks 17 (3). Try: Riaan O'Neill (flyhalf). Penalties: Rowan Gouws (scrumhalf, 4).
Golden Lions 55 (34), Vodacom Blue Bulls 15 (3)
The Golden Lions ran the defending champions Vodacom Blue Bulls ragged at Emirates Airline Park on Friday to start their campaign on a great note. The visitors simply had no reply, especially in the first half, as the home side raced to a 34-3 lead at the break. The Lions kept up their effort in the second 40 to hand the champions one of their biggest defeats in recent years.
Scorers:
Golden Lions 55 (34). Tries: Johan Esterhuizen (replacement lock), Rohan Janse van Rensburg (centre), Jano Venter (no8), Christiaan Meyer (scrumhalf), Gerdus van der Walt (centre), Koch Marx (wing), Cyle Brink (flank, 2). Conversions: Brandan Hewitt (flyhalf, 6). Penalty: Hewitt.
Blue Bulls 15 (3). Tries: Marquit September (centre), Dayan van der Westhuizen (prop). Conversion: Kobus Marais (replacement flyhalf). Penalty: Joshua Stander (flyhalf).
Fixtures week two (Saturday 18 July):
Golden Lions v Toyota Free State, Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
Vodacom Blue Bulls v Cell C Sharks Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Leopards vs Eastern Province, Profert Olén Park, Potchefstroom
-BB Media / SARU Corporate Affairs
