Blue Bulls Academy bosses Leopards at Bondedag
Hoërskool Wesvalia hosted a taste of provincial schools clashes as the northern unions locked horns at the annual Noordvaal Bondedag in Klerksdorp on Saturday in preparation for the coming Craven and Academy Weeks.
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The Blue Bulls Academy’s powerful forward pack laid the groundwork for a commanding 47–27 victory over hosts, the Leopards, in the main Academy fixture. The team from Pretoria asserted their authority early, combining forceful carries with resolute defence from the outset.
Fullback Ronan Bastiaanse opened the scoring within minutes, crossing the line for the first try. He went on to add five conversions, contributing 15 points in total. Loose forwards Queenton Mcube and Marko Kok spearheaded the physical onslaught, regularly breaching the advantage line and providing momentum.
This dominance enabled flyhalf Tilon Baron to orchestrate proceedings from the standoff slot and bring Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool centre Petrus Rautenbach into play with front-foot ball in the midfield.
Despite the early onslaught, the Leopards refused to capitulate. The North West outfit showed glimpses of their potential, hinting that they could be a formidable force at the upcoming tournament in Middelburg this July.
Though their attack lacked early bite, their persistence paid off in the closing stages with three unanswered tries. Eighthman Letlotlo Tobosi crossed twice for a deserved brace, while scrumhalf Juan Geldenhuys impressed with a composed showing behind a retreating pack.
In another tightly contested match, the Sharks Academy produced a late surge to defeat the Valke 29–16. The Valke stayed within reach for most of the match thanks to the accurate boot of flyhalf Luka Pretorius, who slotted three penalties and a conversion.
However, the Sharks’ back three proved decisive. Wingers Rourke O’Sullivan and Liyema Nela sliced through the Valke defence in the final 10 minutes to put the result beyond doubt.
Blindside flanker Wasi Vyambera was a standout performer up front. His tireless work rate and powerful carries were rewarded with a long-range, runaway try that helped establish a lead the Sharks never relinquished.
In the opening fixture of the day, Leopards u17 delivered a scintillating display to overcome the Limpopo Blue Bulls Academy 35–19. Leading the charge was Potchefstroom Gimnasium’s De Wet Grobler. The flanker was everywhere—on attack, in defence and on the scoreboard, notching two tries through his relentless ball carrying.
Tighthead prop JW Coetzee provided valuable support with his powerful drives that repeatedly breached the gain line.
Scorers:
Blue Bulls Academy 47 (21) – Tries: Ronan Bastiaanse, Charl Els, Queenton Mcube, Baele Mashaba, Petrus Rautenbach, Estiaan Marx, Nico Klein. Conversions: Bastiaanse (4), Tilon Baron. Leopards Academy 27 (3) – Tries: Letlotlo Tobosi (2), Louis Fourie, Gitso Mabitso. Conversions: Juhan Geldenhuys (2). Penalty: Geldenhuys.
Sharks Academy 29 (14) – Tries: Theo Boshoff, Wasi Vyambera, Rourke O’Sullivan, Liyema Nela. Conversions: Jade-Will Koopman (2), Nathan Aneke. Penalty: Aneke. Valke Academy 16 (10) – Try: Dylan Jordaan. Conversion: Luka Pretorius. Penalties: Pretorius (3).
Leopards u17 35 (18) – Tries: De Wet Grobler (2), Anro Nel, JW Coetzee, Ricardo Enos. Conversions: Nel, Enos. Penalties: Nel (2). Limpopo Blue Bulls Academy 19 (12) – Tries: Khathu Sikhethu, Itu Magaba, Keanu Visser. Conversions: Juan Randall (2).
