WP made to work by SWD
Western Province bounced back from their poor start to the 2012 Craven Week tournament, as the WP youngsters recorded a hard-fought 39-33 win over South Western Districts in Day Four action in Port Elizabeth on Thursday.
Earlier in the day, Griquas CD beat a spirited Border CD side by 38-5 in the opening game of Day Four, with Limpopo beating Zimbabwe 68-21 soon after and the Griffons beating EP CD 33-28.
The final match of the day was due to take place at 3pm between the Blue Bulls and the Pumas.
Western Province 39 (15) South Western Districts 33 (14)
The Men in Blue & White picked up their first win of the 2012 tournament without their captain and one of the most talked about players in the Cape, and Pretoria, Handre Pollard.
It was revealed shortly before kick-off that WP would be without their influential flyhalf and skipper, because of a hamstring injury, with Paul Roos's Ramone Samuels handed the captaincy duties and Paarl Boys' Jean-Luc du Plessis, the son of Springbok great Carel, drafted into the squad as player No.23.
Samuels scored one of his team's six tries - with SWD notching up five five-pointers of their own - but Du Plessis was not required for action, although he is bound to get a chance on Saturday in the final day of action at this year's Craven Week.
WP, 27-47 losers at the hands of the Blue Bulls on Tuesday, were staring down the barrel shortly before half-time - trailing SWD by 10-14 before captain-on-the-day Samuels rumbled over from close-range to put his team ahead at the break.
Fullback Jason Worrall, probably his team's most impressive player on the day, missed the tough conversion of Samuels's try, but the former was called into action just after half-time and he duly obliged.
With SWD having gone ahead again in the 40th minute, thanks to another Dewald Human try from a WP error (as he did in the first half when he pounced on a stray kick), Worrall put his team in front a few minutes later with a well-taken try in the left-hand corner.
A typical scrumhalf try from SWD's Leighton Eksteen saw the lead change hands yet again, but Province stepped things up a gear in the 53rd minute when powerful prop Wesley Adonis crashed over for try No.5. Worrall converted and he was at it again in the 57th minute when he added the extras to Petrus Bothma's try - the No.8 using all his power to finish strongly. At that stage, WP went ahead by 32-26.
A sixth try, to lock Cornelis van Niekerk, made it three tries in ten minutes as WP took a more commanding lead at 39-26 but the try-scoring hero soon turned to villain as he was yellow-carded in the 67th minute for one too many WP infringements on defence.
That gave the brave Men from SWD just the advantage they needed as they launched one final siege on the Province goalline, with Duhan van der Merwe completing his try double - and Human converting - to put them six points adrift (at 33-39) with the clock winding down at a rapid rate.
A converted try would have done the trick as SWD came back one final time with just under two minutes remaining on the clock. It was, however, just a bridge too far and WP came away with their first win as a loose SWD pass saw the ball end up into touch and, with it, the final whistle was sounded.
The scorers:
For Western Province:
Tries: Hermanus, Samuels, Worrall, Adonis, Bothma, Van Niekerk
Cons: Worrall 3
Pen: Worrall
For South Western Districts:
Tries: Human 2, Van der Merwe 2, Eksteen
Cons: Gelant 3, Human
The teams:
WP: 15 Jason Worrall, 11 Grant Hermanus, 13 Michal Haznar, 12 Wesley Cupido, 22 Keagon Gordon, 21 Dennis Cox, 20 SP Ferreira, 8 Petrus Bothma, 19 Cornelius Cooper, 6 Ramone Samuels (captain), 5 JD Shickerling, 18 Cornelis van Niekerk, 17 Wesley Adonis, 16 Craig Corbett, 1 Morne Nortje.
Replacements: 2 Chad Solomon, 3 Liam Hendricks, 4 Sebastian Ferreira, 7 Johan Vermeulen, 9 Pieter Schoonraad, 23 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 14 Dale Goliath.
SWD: 15 Ganfried May, 14 JP Coetzee, 13 Dean Januarie, 12 Warrick Gelant, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Dewald Human, 20 Leighton Eksteen, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Dean van Vuuren, 6 Tinus Vermeulen (captain), 5 Jurgens Schoeman, 18 Pieter Rall, 3 Stefaan Grundlingh, 16 Simon Snyman, 17 Piet-Louw Strauss.
Replacements: 2 Roche Steenkamp, 1 Marthinus Oosthuizen, 4 Emilius Cloete, 19 Geor Malan, 9 Remu Malan, 21 Douw Schoeman, 22 Myburgh Brïers.
Eastern Province Country Districts 28 (6) Griffons 33 (19)
The Griffons claimed a 33-28 victory over Eastern Province Country Districts in an eight-try Craven Week, Day Four encounter in Port Elizabeth.
EP Country Districts did score an unconverted try on the stroke of full-time, to give the scoreline a slightly flattering look, but both teams played their part in this free-flowing clash.
Griffons left-wing David Tippens scored a brace of tries for his side who built on their 19-6 half-time lead.
The kicking of Griffons No.10 David van Biljon (two conversions and three penalties) also played a big part in the Northern Free Staters' victory, with EP CD's Jason Vers landing just one conversion and two penalties.
The scorers:
For Eastern Province Country Districts:
Tries: Steyn, Koeberg, Mabitsela, Van Pletzen
Con: Vers
Pens: Vers 2
For the Griffons:
Tries: Matsoele, Afrika, Tippens 2
Cons: Van Biljon 2
Pens: Van Biljon 3
The teams:
EP CD: 15 Tsepho Mabitsela, 14 Juandré Fourie, 13 James Moore (captain), 12 Emelio Koeberg, 11 Renaldo Meyer, 10 Jason Vers, 9 Nicholas Poone, 8 Sean van Zyl, 7 CJ Lombard, 6 Nelius van Heerden, 5 Chris Steyn, 18 Franco Janse van Rensburg, 17 Sean Koeberg, 2 Garrick Bowker, 1 Jaco Ferreira.
Replacements: 16 Tian van Rensburg, 17 Ronnie Beyl, 18 Sintu Manster, 19 Glen van Pletzen, 20 Dean Ferreira, 21 Luzuko Mafu, 22 JP Lundall.
Griffons: 15 Sechaba Matsoele, 14 Abraham van den Berg, 13 Ethan Williams, 12 Shaun Reynolds, 11 David Tippens, 10 David van Biljon, 9 Letshego Moahloli, 8 Oelof Stander, 7 Jonick Schoeman, 6 Andre van Vuuren, 5 Brandon Kuzatjike, 4 Matthew Erasmus, 3 Henco van der Westhuizen, 2 Rynard Snyman (captain), 1 Shivandre Prinsloo.
Replacements: 16 Brummer Marais, 17 Ernest Summer, 18 Mogomat Isaacs, 19 Wayde Coetzee, 20 Dillon Afrika, 21 Pieter Becker, 22 Johan van Heerden.
Limpopo Blue Bulls 68 (21) Zimbabwe 21 (7)
Neighbours met in the second match of Day Four, but the southern men of the Limpopo overwhelmed their northern neighbours, winning 68-21 in a match of much running and many tries - 89 points in 70 minutes.
Zimbabwe started well enough, dominated the early stages and scored the first try. Then the Limpopo pack simply took over, winning every facet of forward play and providing their eager backs with lots of good ball, and this is a side that believes in passing.
When Limpopo knocked on a high kick, the ball went straight to scrumhalf Craig Bydawell who had nobody to stop him from getting to the posts. 7-0 after 18 minutes.
The Limpopo forwards then scored two similar tries. They got close, there was a static tackle/ruck and suddenly Sipho Siboza shot straight ahead and over for a try under the posts. They got close again, there was a static tackle/ruck and this time it was Frederick van Niekerk's turn to pick up and shoot 10 metres to score under the posts. 14-7 to Limpopo after 26 minutes.
From the kick-off lively fullback Marcel Steyn Scholtz broke and gave to Matjikinyane Molapo who was over in the left corner. Steyn Scholtz converted. 21-7, which was the half time score.
Limpopo kicked off to start the second half, won the kick-off in robust fashion. Andries Welgemoed popped a little pass to Molapo going right and he cut straight through, sending Johan Smit over in the right corner. 26-7.
Phases in counterattack got Zimbabwe close. They caught Limpopo behind their forwards, Alva Senderayi picked up and raced, swerving past Steyn Scholtz, to score at the posts. 26-14 after 39 minutes.
Then Limpopo took over. Welgemoed did some harassing of his own behind a scrum, picked up burst through two and away from two others to score. 33-14 after 41 minutes.
From a turnover just outside their 22, Limpopo countered down the left. Adrian Maebane got a clever, behind-the-back pass to Molapo who sped downfield, passing inside to Steyn Scholtz who outflanked and outpaced the opposition to score a try which flyhalf James Vorster converted. 40-14 after 44 minutes.
Pick-'n-drive with quick ball got Christopher Durow over for a try. Then Vorster had a break of some 40 minutes and the ball went out to substitute Righardt Kachelhoffer, who cut back and scored. 54-14 after 53 minutes.
There was some great to-ing and fro-ing for the next try. Zimbabwe attacked and lost the ball. Limpopo attacked and lost the ball. Zimbabwe attacked again and Bastien Mendelsohn on the right wing did well to get the ball to Lance Chikodzi who beat two with speed and footwork to score. 54-21.
Several short bursts had Limpopo on the front foot and Marthienus van den Berg batted a pass inside to André Jordaan who scored. 61-21 with seven minutes to play.
The last try was after the final siren. Smit beat his man on the outside, raced on and passed a basketball pass inside to Floyd Ndlovo who scored with a flourish under the posts. It was a lively match.
The scorers:
For Limpopo BB:
Tries: Siboza, Van Niekerk, Molapo, Smit, Welgemoed, Scholtz, Durow, Kachelhoffer, Jordaan, Ndlovo
Cons: Scholtz 5, Vorster 4
For Zimbabwe:
Tries: Bydawell, Senderayi, Chikodzi
Cons: Gona 3
The teams:
Limpopo: 15 Marcel Steyn Scholtz, 11 Matjikinyane Molapo, 13 Adrian Maebane, 12 Johannes Smit, 21 Floyd Ndlovo, 10 James Vorster, 20 Andries Welgemoed, 6 Marthienus van den Berg, 7 Christopher Durow, 8 De Wet Botha (captain), 5 Frederick van Niekerk, 18 Rabelani Mukhuthu, 3 Nicholas Khangale, 16 André Jordaan, 1 Trevor Nkwamba.
Replacements: 2 Willem Janse van Vuuren, 17 Louis le Grange, 19 Mlungisi Ntimane, 4 Sipho Siboza, 9 Righardt Kachelhoffer, 14 Viljoen Dreyer, 22 Grant Pinto.
Zimbabwe: 20 Brendon Mandivenga, 22 Bastien Mendelsohn, 11 Lance Chikodzi, 12 Richard Watson, 14 Ryan Hutchings, 10 Rukudzo Gona, 9 Craig Bydawell, 8 Alva Senderayi, 7 Barend Moolman, 19 Brandon Scheepers, 6 Leroy Sibanda (captain), 4 Nicholas Burnett, 3 Tapiwa Muringani, 2 Kingsley Reid, 1 Thabani Mujeni.
Replacements: 16 Alexander Zwart,17 Nakai Mavimba, 5 Shepherd Mehembere, 18 Sebastian Roche, 21 Takudkwa Chakaingesu, 13 Dale Gibbons, 15 Keagan Walder.
Griquas Country Districts 38 (19) Border Country Districts 5 (5)
Griquas Country Districts took control early on and some good structured play from an attacking line-out resulted in a try in the left corner for lock Pieter Lategan.
Border Country Districts defended with plenty of heart, but they were under constant siege in their own half and the pressure eventually told when Griquas CD scrumhalf Shaun Crause forced the ball over the tryline from close quarters.
Things were made even tougher for the Border CD side when inside centre Lwazi Maqwelana was shown a yellow card for a late shoulder charge, and Griquas CD took advantage when big No.8 Jasper Wiese bashed his way over for their third try which gave them a 19-0 lead.
Despite being under serious pressure the Border CD side continued to show great determination on defence, and they were rewarded when a strong tackle in midfield knocked the ball loose before it was hacked ahead and inside centre Sihle Gontshi showed good pace to collect and go over for the try to get his side on the scoreboard at 19-5.
Griquas CD struck early in the second half when the ball was sent wide to Johannes Lenge who stepped inside the last defender to speed over for the try.
Border CD reacted by taking the game to the opposition, and forced the Griquas CD team to tackle, but the pressure was absorbed and the Griquas CD were next to score when Wiese powered his way over in the corner for his second try.
Wiese sealed his hat-trick with a strong run from the base of the scrum shortly afterwards which stretched his team's advantage to 38-5 which they held until the final whistle.
The scorers:
For Griquas Country Districts:
Tries: Lategan, Crause, Wiese 3, Lenge
Cons: Burden 4
For Border Country Districts:
Try: Gontshi
The teams:
Griquas CD: 22 Johannes Lenge, 14 Zanewin Assegaai, 13 Johnathan Steenkamp, 12 Adriaan Uys, 11 Innocent Ngatajosi, 10 Dawid Burden, 20 Shaun Crause, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Jacobus Conradie, 19 Shandre Prince, 5 Martin Gerber, 4 Pieter Lategan, 1 Jan-Hendrik van Wyk, 16 Romario Mnguni, 17 Julian Milford.
Replacements: 2 Hendrik Visagie, 3 Johan Barnard, 18 MIchael Pretorius, 6 Sergio Jones, 9 Johan Lamprecht, 21 Gavian Cloete, 15 Darryl de Wee.
Border CD: 20 Siphelele Mayaba, 14 Likona Madabane, 13 Inamandla Mpongwana, 10 Lwazi Maqwelana, 12 Sihle Gontshi, 22 Athenkosi Monakali, 9 Chris Dyantyi, 8 Sipho Tyali, 6 Thabang Rixi, 7 Wandise Mtshingila, 4 Simanye Luzipo, 5 Nkosinathi Dila, 19 Buhle Nojekwa, 2 Kwanele Ndywabasini, 3 Thabo Ngcem.
Replacements: 1 Inga Mvumvu, 16 Ntsika Nyalambisa, 17 Avuyile Koyana, 18 Tevan Lehman, 11 Loyiso Mnwana, 15 Sizwe Ncikana, 21 Vuyisanani Babula.