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Brave DHL WP U18 XV put up a fight in Krugersdorp

PUBLISHED: June 27, 2024


The DHL Western Province U18 XV were edged by the Golden Lions on the fourth day of the U18 Stadio Craven Week at Hoërskool Monument in Krugersdorp.

The Golden Lions rebounded from a narrow loss to the Bulls to beat the DHL WP XV 37-33 on Thursday. They outscored the Cape side by six tries to five, with replacement backs Cheswill Jooste and Michael Benzien scoring two apiece.

Meanwhile, Free State and the Pumas remain unbeaten after claiming important wins on Thursday and with Boland and DHL WP, have racked up two wins in as many matches and will take some momentum into the final round of fixtures this Saturday.

The Pumas put 60 points past the Limpopo Blue Bulls on Tuesday and were just as ruthless in the clash with the Griffons on Thursday, where they scored nine tries in a 57-26 victory. Lock Franko Rossouw touched down twice, while flyhalf Matthew Abbey, the tournament’s leading scorer, contributed 17 points.

After beating the Griffons 57-36 in the first round, Free State had reason to feel 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 game. However, late touchdowns by fullback Heinz Stockenstrom – who finished with a brace – and No 8 Liam Santos sealed a 34-27 win for Free State.

Earlier in the day, Griquas and the Limpopo Blue Bulls showed their attacking intent in a high-scoring contest that yielded 15 tries overall.

The northerners led 18-12 at half-time, before Griquas lifted their performance in the second stanza and claimed a 53-37 victory.

The last day of the tournament on Saturday will commence with a clash between the Leopards and Limpopo Blue Bulls.

DHL WP will face Free State in the final match of the competition.

Day Four Results:

Griquas 53 – Limpopo Blue Bulls 37
Griffons 26 – Pumas 57
Golden Lions 37 – DHL WP XV 33
Blue Bulls 27 – Free State 34

Day Three Results:

Valke 36 – Leopards 26
Boland 34 – Border 20
SWD 28 – Sharks 19
DHL WP 66 – EP 14

Day Two Results:

DHL WP XV 52 – Griquas 17
Pumas 60 – Limpopo Blue Bulls 17
Free State 57 – Griffons 36
Blue Bulls 35 – Golden Lions 34

Day One Results:

South Western Districts 41 – Valke 34
Boland 41 – Leopards 21
Eastern Province 24 – Border 14
DHL WP 36 – Sharks 26

Day Five Fixtures:

08h00: Leopards v Limpopo Blue Bulls, B Field
09h15: DHL WP XV v Pumas, A Field
09h20: Valke v Griquas, B Field
10h35: Lions v SWD, A Field
10h40: Border v Griffons, B Field
11h55: Bulls v Sharks, A Field
12h00: Boland v EP, B Field
13h15: DHL WP v Free State, A Field