With two U16 teams participating, DHL Western Province ably showcased the province’s schoolboy depth on day one of the Grant Khomo Week at Grey High School in Gqeberha.
The future is also bright at U13 level as both DHL WP teams shone at the U13 Craven Week in Pretoria, while the DHL WP LSEN side bagged hard-fought wins in Potchefstroom.
DHL WP U13 kicked off their week with a 36-12 win against Griquas, with the DHL WP U13 XV picking up a big 38-7 victory against Free State in their opening game.
The WP LSEN edged Boland for a 23-18 win, and followed it up with a resounding 38-10 victory against the Lions.
The opening day of the U16 tournament witnessed a number of close contests, with the finish to the battle between Boland and the Lions proving especially dramatic.
Boland made a statement when they outscored the Lions 15-3 in the first half. While the Lions clawed their way back in the second stanza, Boland flyhalf Jano van Deventer slotted two late penalties to secure a valuable 21-16 result.
Earlier in the day, the Pumas scored five tries in their 39-14 victory over Griquas, with centre Siboniso Mahlangu touching down twice.
The Griffons edged the Valke 17-15 in a tight contest, while the Sharks overturned a 10-point half-time deficit to beat Free State 26-20.
The Blue Bulls led 20-10 at the break in their battle against the DHL WP XV. Two clutch kicks by flyhalf Vihan Pretorius ensured that they held on for a 26-24 win.
In the last two matches of the day, DHL WP scored five tries to beat hosts Eastern Province 38-25, while the Leopards crossed the line six times in their 40-7 win over the Limpopo Blue Bulls.
The Grant Khomo Week will continue on Wednesday morning, with Pumas tackling the Free State at 9h20 on the Kolisi Field.
Day One Results:
Pumas 39 – Griquas 14
Free State XV 29 – Border Country Districts 7
Golden Lions 16 – Boland 21
Valke 15 – Griffons 17
Free State 20 – Sharks 26
Border 26 – Zimbabwe 20
Blue Bulls 26 – DHL WP XV 24
South Western Districts 26 – Namibia 6
DHL WP 38 – Eastern Province 25
Leopards 40 – Limpopo Blue Bulls 7
Day Two Fixtures:
Kolisi Field:
09h20: Pumas v Free State
10h45: Border v Griffons
12h00: SWD v DHL WP XV
13h15: Blue Bulls v Boland
14h30: DHL WP v Sharks
Pollock Field:
09h20: Namibia v Border Country Districts
10h45: Zimbabwe v Limpopo Blue Bulls
12h00: Valke v Free State XV
13h15: Leopards v Griquas
14h30: Golden Lions v Eastern Province