Free State finish with a flourish
Bernard Wessels and Benjamin van den Berg recorded a hat-trick of tries each as Free State finally bagged a victory at this year’s Academy Week in Middelburg on Friday.
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Wessels and Van den Berg, both playing in the backline for the Free Staters, used the platform laid by their dominant pack to lash the opposition as the men in white and orange romped to a 61-3 win against Border.
Upfront, No. 8, Franco Oberholzer, who will, from next week, be known as Franco Teixeira, taking his father’s family name, left the best for last with a tireless performance across the park. This ignited the Free State pack, who gave Border a torrid time in the forward exchanges.
Captain Thristan Maree, Tian Fourie and Hennie Bredenhann were the other try-scorers for Free State, while Samson Lackay slotted seven conversions.
In the opening match on the C-Field, Namibia and Zimbabwe kicked off the last day’s proceedings in customary fashion with the annual international between the two sides. This year, the bragging rights belonged to the men from Zimbabwe as they sealed a 36-26 victory thanks to a brace from blindside flanker Tapiwanashe Mujuru.
Jason Coetzer helped the Valke to yet another victory via his boot. Although not as accurate as on the second day, his solitary penalty goal helped his side over the line in a tightly contested 15-14 victory over traditional rivals, the Limpopo Blue Bulls.
For the men from the most northern province, No. 8 Ignus Ferreira carried the baton. Ferreira’s ferocious outing on defence, combined with some rampaging runs, was a thorn in the Valke’s side.
The Griffons continued their stellar comeback following the hiding they had suffered on the first day, to achieve a second win on the trot. Two tries each from Vusi Ndayi and Darius Job proved enough for the Purple People Eaters to outclass the hosting Pumas by 29-24.
Scorers:
Hoërskool Middelburg B-Field:
Free State 61 (33) – Tries: Bernard Wessels (3), Benjamin van den Berg (3), Tian Fourie, Thristan Maree, Hennie Bredenhann. Conversions: Samson Lackay (7), Okuhle Dyani. Border 3 (3) – Penalty: Iganathi Mnunu.
Valke 15 (12) – Tries: Liam Hector, Reuben Bothma. Conversion: Jason Coetzer. Penalty: Coetzer. Limpopo Blue Bulls 14 (7) – Tries: Lourens Pieterse, Reabetswe Senyolo. Conversions: Juan Randall (2).
Griffons 29 (16) – Tries: Vusi Ndayi (2), Darius Job (2). Penalties: Jaydon Windvogel (3). Pumas 24 (12) – Tries: Bismarck Jansen, Hanro Terblanche, Lesego Rakale, Dewald du Toit. Conversions: Buhle Mphahlaza, John Duncan.
Hoërskool Middelburg C-Field:
Griquas 29 (17) – Tries: Thabo Thole, Amiel Soudens, Kitso Lephoi, Bernard Daniel. Conversions: HG van Heerden (2), Dohan Dege. Border Country Districts 10 (7) – Try: Ntsika Dubase. Conversion: Ntsika Jele. Penalty: Jele.
Leopards 47 (14) – Tries: Wian Vieter (2), Omphile Aplane, Luan Snyman, Diale Keabetswe, Laurenzo Louw, Marnus Dercken. Conversions: Luan Snyman (4), Wian du Preez (2). LSEN XV 14 (7) – Tries: Rigen Chigosie, Jordan Derrocks. Conversions: Yusuf Hannibal (2).
Zimbabwe 36 (22) – Tries: Tapiwanashe Majuru (2), Curtis Mashonganyika, Mufaro Ndoro, Rukudzo Mayida. Conversions: Mayida, Denzel Dhave, Mashongantika. Namibia 26 (20) – Tries: Pieter-Jan Strydom, Ethan Sinden. Conversions: Williams Beukes (2). Penalties: JD Jankowitz (3), MC van Wyk.
