DHL Western Province made a winning start to their 2014 Coca-Cola Under-18 Craven Week campaign, with a hard-fought 33-32 win over the Pumas at HTS Middelburg on Monday afternoon.
Province and SWD (who beat KZN 18-13) on Monday stood out as two of the top contenders to play for places in the final match of the 2014 Under-18 Coca-Cola Craven Week this coming Saturday.
The win for DHL Western Province, in particular, was the first step in their mission to follow in the footsteps of their counterparts who finished the 2014 Under-13 Coca-Cola Craven Week, Under-16 Coca-Cola Grant Khomo Week and the Undr-18 Academy Week as the unofficial champions.
The battle between the Pumas and DHL Western Province was epic as the hosts gave everything to edge their way into the lead in the dying seconds, but in the end the Pumas were pipped 33-32.
DHL Western Province tried hard to stamp their authority in the first half and managed to build up an impressive 30-15 lead at the break.
With the Pumas defence limiting Western Province’s attacking options with their solid defence, however, the Cape side opted for penalties early on to keep the scoreboard ticking. The Pumas ill-discipline, however, cost them as they received two yellow cards in the half, which handed Western Province an edge, which they took advantage of.
The Pumas, however, fought back with intent in the second half as they improved their discipline and defence, and used their point-scoring chances well. This allowed them to force their way back into the match with two late tries and a penalty, which left them one point short on the scoreboard as the final whistle sounded.
Right-wing Duncan Saals (from Kasselsvlei) scored two tries and fullback Tiaan Swanepoel kicked three conversions and four penalties as WP played the final few minutes without Rondebosch flanker Zain Davids, who was yellow-carded in the 62nd minute.
The opening day’s matches were attended by Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer, his assistant coach Johann van Graan, Junior Springbok coach Dawie Theron, as well as several SARU officials including CEO Jurie Roux and SARU’s development GM Mervin Green and GM Referees André Watson.
DHL Western Province will play their next game at HTS Middelburg on Wednesday. (That fixture will be announced on Tuesday.)
* In other results on Day One, meanwhile, the Griffons, Limpopo Blue Bulls and Eastern Province CD also started their campaigns on an encouraging note as they registered victories.
The Griffons thumped Border 47-20, while the Limpopo Blue Bulls registered a 25-19 victory against Griquas CD, and Eastern Province CD survived a late comeback by Zimbabwe for a 54-43 victory.
The scorers:
For Pumas:
Tries: Smit, Ndlovu, Enslin, Bester
Cons: Joubert 3
Pens: Joubert 2
For DHL Western Province:
Tries: Willemse, Saals 2
Cons: Swanepoel 3
Pens: Swanepoel 4
The teams:
Pumas: 15 Barend Smit (HTS Middelburg), 14 Mfundo Ndlovu (Standerton), 13 Telvin Mhlong (Hoërskool Middelburg), 12 Cyprian Nkomo (Hoërskool Middelburg), 11 Siyabonga Nkosi (Piet Retief), 10 Joubert Muller (Ligbron), 9 Stephan Enslin (HTS Middelburg), 8 Oscar Schuld (Nelspruit), 7 Bernard Kotzenberg (HTS Middelburg), 6 Chrisjan Steynberg (HTS Middelburg), 5 Driaan Bester (HTS Middelburg), 4 Ian Joubert (Standerton), 3 Wiehan Steyn (Nelspruit), 2 Marinus Enslin (Nelspruit), 1 Beki Shongwe (Barberton), 16 Marnus van der Merwe (HTS Middelburg), 17 Cauwen Mashaba (Generaal Hertzog), 18 Ruan Groenewald (HTS Middelburg), 19 Riaan le Roux (Nelspruit), 20 Mpumelelo Matias (Hoërskool Middelburg), 21 Siyabonga Masuka (Piet Retief), 22 Siyabonga Khalishwayo (Piet Retief).
DHL Western Province: 15 Tiaan Swanepoel (Stellenberg), 14 Duncan Saals (Kasselsvlei), 13 Justin Heunis (Bishops), 12 Edrich Venter (Paul Roos), 11 Edwill van der Merwe (Paul Roos), 10 Aidynn Cupido (Paul Roos), 9 Herschell Jantjies (Paul Roos), 8 Saud Abrahams (Bishops), 7 Zain Davids (Rondebosch), 6 Mervano da Silva (Bishops), 5 Ruben de Villiers (Paarl Boys’ High), 4 Jaco Willemse (Paarl Gim), 3 JP Smith (Bishops), 2 Jacques van Zyl (Paul Roos), 1 Gavin van der Berg (Paarl Gim), 16 Shane Farmer (Tygerberg), 17 Wikus Groenewald (Paarl Boys’ High), 18 Jerome Korf (Paul Roos), 19 Emile Cloete (Paul Roos), 20 Jondré Williams (Boland Landbou), 21 Gerard Pieterse (Bishops), 22 Ryan Muller (Bellville).