Sharks in Loftus feast

Yet another team from KwaZulu-Natal looks set to reach a major Final, after the Sharks established themselves as favourites for the SARU Interprovincial Sevens Tournament during the first day of matches played at Loftus in Pretoria.


Bolstered by the BlitzBokke Sibusiso Sithole, Tera Mthembu and Milo Nqoro, and with Rosco Speckman, Gouws Prinsloo and Shanon Rick in impressive form, the Durban team finished day one unbeaten after three wins.


Judging from their powerful performances on Friday, it would seem that a special effort will be required to prevent coach Roelof Kotze's side from lifting the coveted Cup on Saturday.


The KZN team beat the Leopards 21-12, Griquas 45-0 and Limpopo 38-0 to qualify for Saturday's quarterfinals.


But the dreaded 'Day Two syndrome' has shattered many a Sevens team's aspirations in the past and the Durbanites' biggest threat could come from an unlikely opponent, the Falcons. The Red Devils fielded an impressive Under-18 team in the recent Interprovincial Schools tournament in Pretoria and they are always a major force in Sevens.


Friday's action produced several highlights but the overall quality of play must be praised, with numerous players showing they deserve to be tested at a higher level.  


Shimlas flank Teboho Mohoje scored a hat-trick of tries for the Free State Cheetahs in their 33-21 victory over Eastern Province. His performance was a display of explosive power and skill and another good show Saturday might just catch the eye of the Springbok Sevens selectors.


In the Women's competition hosts the Blue Bulls and KZN looked the strongest teams. Both sides topped their respective groups with three comprehensive victories.


On Saturday the action continues with the first matches set to kick off at 09.00 and the Cup finals from 13.34.


Day One results:


Men:

Golden Lions 35 Pumas 21

Leopards 33 Limpopo 0

Falcons 17 Blue Bulls 0

Free State 21 Boland 19

Golden Lions 19 WP 14

KZN 21 Leopards 12

Blue Bulls 14 Border 10

Free State 33 EP 21

Griffons 19 Golden Lions 14

Griquas 17 Leopards 14

Lowveld 29 Blue Bulls 28

Free State 24 SWD 14

WP 21 Griffons 7

KZN 45 Griquas 0

Lowveld 17 Border 0

SWD 24 EP 10

Pumas 35 Griffons 7

Griquas 28 Limpopo 0

Falcons 26 Lowveld 19

Boland 24 SWD 0

WP 38 Pumas 14

KZN 38 Limpopo 0

Border 19 Falcons 19

EP 36 Boland 2


Women:

Border 14 Pumas 5

Boland 32 Leopards 0

Griffons 19 Boland 14

SWD 19 Free State 5

Border 35 Leopards 0

WP 42 SWD 0

Griffons 7 Pumas 0

Free State 47 Limpopo 12

Border B 40 Limpopo 0

Leopards 19 Pumas 15

Boland 40 Pumas 0

WP 50 Limpopo 0

Border 12 Griffons 12

EP 33 Falcons 0

Griffons 19 Leopards 5

Border 24 Boland 7

WP 19 Free State 7

Border B 12 SWD 12

Blue Bulls 54 SANDF 0

Golden Lions 41 Correctional Services 0

EP 41 SANDF 0

KZN 38 Golden Lions 10

Blue Bulls 40 Falcons 0

Griquas 60 Correctional Services 0

Blue Bulls 40 EP 5

KZN 59 Correctional Services 0

SANDF 17 Falcons 5

Golden Lions 24 Griquas 7

Border B 17 Free State 5

KZN 31 Griquas 0

WP 35 Border B 0

SWD 36 Limpopo 0


Saturday's draw:


Loftus B-field:


Men:

09.00: Golden Lions v KZN

09.40: Lowveld v Free State

10.20: Griffons v Limpopo

11.00: Blue Bulls v SWD


Women:

09.20: Griffons v Blue Bulls

10.00: Border B v KZN

10.40: Boland v Falcons

11.20: SWD v Correctional Services


C-field:


Men:

09.00: WP v Griquas

09.40: Falcons v EP

10.20: Pumas v Leopards

11.00: Border v Boland


Women:

09.20: Border v EP

10.00: WP v Golden Lions

10.40: Leopards v  SANDF

11.20: Limpopo v Griquas


Cup Finals:


Women: 13.45

Men: 14.10