Western Province and South Western Districts continued their winning streak at the U18 Craven Week, but it was the Free State and the Blue Bulls who grabbed the headlines.
The action was red-hot at Hoërskool Middelburg on Wednesday as Free State bounced back from a first-round loss to SWD, scoring seven tries in a 52-33 victory against the Blue Bulls.
Fullback Lamla Mgedezi and fleet-footed No 13 Ethan Adams starred for the winners, scoring a hat-trick and a brace respectively, while centre Thabiso Simelane also claimed a hat-trick for the losing side.
SWD and WP XV recorded their second wins of the competition.
After edging Free State 35-34 in their first fixture of the tournament, SWD dominated the clash against the Golden Lions, scoring eight tries in a resounding 54-22 victory. Christiaan Vorster and Jacobus de Villiers scored two tries apiece for the Eagles.
Fresh off their 52-6 win over the Griffons, the WP XV racked up a further 45 points and seven tries against the Pumas, with lock Gershom Pieters and replacement forward Caleb Koeberg grabbing a brace apiece.
READ: WP, Sharks bank big wins at Craven Week
As Province look to make their way towards the business end, all eyes will be on two standout players in the tournament so far. No 8 Quintin Potgieter and centre Markus Muller are the only WP representatives from Paarl Gim, SA’s No 1-ranked school this year, and have both been contracted by the Stormers.
WP and Sharks High Schools headline day four’s action.
Day Three results:
Limpopo Blue Bulls 49 (21) Griffons 44 (31)
Western Province XV 45 (33) Pumas 14 (7)
Free State 52 (27) Blue Bulls 33 (19)
Golden Lions 22 (7) South Western Districts 54 (26)
Day Four schedule – 10 July 2025:
10am: Boland v Valke
11:30am: Griquas v Leopards
1pm: Border v Eastern Province
2:30pm: Western Province v Sharks High Schools
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
