Gerber and Lions roar the loudest at Academy Week
They’ve done it again!
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The Golden Lions are the unofficial champions of the 2024 Academy Week after the host union comfortably beat high-flying Eastern Province 46-22 in the final showdown of the week.
For a second year in succession, the Lions’ roar was the loudest at Jeppe High School for Boys. In 2023, they downed the Blue Bulls to claim top honours.
The host’s success came from an excellent team effort, but their flyhalf, Marais Viljoen’s Recce Gerber, deserves special mention. The general of the Lions’ backline enjoyed an outstanding week and, just like his predecessor in the no. 10 jumper, Vusi Moyo, helped his side cruise to the title.
Having already claimed a man of the match award earlier in the week, Gerber again showed his class when it mattered most. His brilliant game management, feel for the game, and quick decision-making saw him deliver his best performance of the tournament against Eastern Province. It earned him another Player of the Match award.
His superb showing, however, wouldn’t have been possible without three immensely impressive performances by the Lions’ pack. One of their unsung heroes, lock Luke Cannon, also rose to the occasion. His high work rate, especially on defence, played an integral role in the home team’s success.
The dominance up front of the Gautengers meant that their backline was gifted plenty of opportunities to attack as Gerber and Noordheuwel scrumhalf, Ignatius Jantjies, spread the ball quicker than the flu virus.
The side from the Eastern Cape showed why they were in the big game. During the first 20 minutes, with adrenaline still coursing through their veins, it seemed as if they might take it down to the wire. Their standout lock, Tyrese Brouers, was in the thick of things once again, contributing some storming runs to continue the good work he had done earlier in the week.
Unfortunately, a hard-fought 38-38 draw with the Sharks and a come-from-behind 25-24 victory over Western Province had taken too much out of the Capetonians, who didn’t have enough left in the tank to overcome the Lions.
The Blue Bulls, also, remained unbeaten by handing Western Province a second defeat of their campaign, but it was extremely tight. The Light Blues scraped home by a single point, winning 29-28 in the north-south derby.
“We played in the right areas, starved them of possession, and played physical rugby up front. The boys stuck to the plan, one we knew would be enough to secure a victory, which I am proud of,” Braam Pretorius, the coach of the Bulls, said after the game.
The Pretoria-based union placed their nemesis from the south under heavy pressure through good old-fashioned Blue Bulls’ rugby. Young Waterkloof star, Marko Kok, finally hit his straps and produced a difference-making performance. He ran clever lines on attack and was difficult to bring down, which served to light a fire in the Bulls’ team.
Province’s replacement utility forward, Nicholas Nel, who played almost every minute for the striped jerseys throughout the week, left his mark on Collard Field. His high work rate and willingness to get involved in the physical clashes at close quarters stood out. Towards the end of the game, he was rewarded with a crucial try.
Another wonderful kicking performance by the tournament’s leading point scorer, Border’s Page Fennel, saw his side to a three-point victory over the Pumas.
Fennel converted all three of his side’s tries and slotted an astonishing six penalties for a personal contribution of 24 points. In the end, it was one of his penalties that was the difference between the sides.
The Sharks returned to winning ways, running in six tries in a convincing 42-17 victory over the Griffons.
The KZN side’s backs enjoyed themselves as their forwards provided them with quality ball. Right-wing, Jade-Will Koopman capped off a superb week with another stellar performance and an emphatic dive to claim another five-pointer.
Scorers
Golden Lions 46 (22) – Tries: Mbuso Methula (2), Gustav Grotius, Zaiden Krige, Motlatsi Moloi, Chinedu Amadi, Clinton Agu. Conversions: Recce Gerber (4). Penalty: Gerber. Eastern Province 22 (8) – Tries: Aidan Els (2), Denilo Jordaan. Conversions: Cameron Doyle (2). Penalty: Doyle.
Blue Bulls 29 (22) – Tries: Stephan Pretorius (3), Zirk Meyer. Conversions: Ruben Groenewald (3). Penalty: Groenewald. Western Province 28 (14) – Tries: Ely Williams, Nicolas Nel, Keagan Wood, Henry Rudder. Conversions: Chadwin Sellidon (4).
Border 39 (29) – Tries: Liam Hansen, Sbabablwe Magwebu, D’Angelo Snayer. Conversions; Page Fennel (3). Penalty: Fennel (6). Pumas 37 (6) – Tries: Roux Grobler (2), Janco Aucamp, CW Hanekom, Beast Nkgadima. Conversions: Alonzo Blackenberg (3). Penalty: Blackenberg (2).
Sharks 42 (20) – Tries: Josh Grant, Inathi Mkhencele, Jadewill Koopman, William Ridl, Indi Mlotshwa, Lizwe Mtetwa. Conversions: Jordan van Wyk (2). Penalty: Van Wyk (2). Griffons 17 (5) – Tries: Bokang Lesenyeho, Xander Wiltshire, Arnold Ras. Conversion: Adriaan Bothuis.
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