Lions whack EP to close in on third straight Academy Week title
Having racked up 164 points in their first two outings at this year’s Academy Week, the Golden Lions find themselves in pole position to clinch their third consecutive title, following back-to-back wins in 2023 and ’24.
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In their second encounter, a rematch of the 2024 final and the main match of day two against Eastern Province, they again ran rampant to run away with 56-10.
Jaydon Viljoen is now the leading points-scorer of the week, having enjoyed a flawless day from the tee to convert all eight of his side’s tries. Scrumhalf, Gideon Diedericks, of Hoërskool Noordheuwel, enjoyed a stellar first start to run in a brace of tries, while his Nories colleague, Andrew Lambert, also dotted down twice thanks to a dominant performance by the pack.
The Lions’ driving maul continues to be a lethal weapon in their quest for glory, ensuring that the dangerous backline from south of the Jukskei can launch wave after wave of attack.
Western Province held off a spirited performance from the Lions Welpies to eventually scrape through 25-21. Initially, the Cape-based side looked as if they were comfortably on their way to victory over the Lions youngsters, yet the Welpies refused to lie down.
Prop Diandro Botha led the fightback with another powerhouse performance that yielded two tries. However, early scores by Wege van Zyl and Harry Soboil, as well as the final nail in the coffin by livewire fullback, Chadlin Sellidon, saw WP through.
The battle at the breakdown was particularly ferocious, with both sides relentlessly attacking the ball. Province’s four-point victory has booked a showdown with the Lions in the unofficial final on Friday, which will take place on Hoërskool Middelburg’s A-Field.
The Sharks’ Theo Boshoff had another noteworthy performance in KwaZulu-Natal’s 32-5 victory over Boland. As was the case in the Sharks’ first outing, Boshoff was instrumental with his energetic performance and was rewarded with another try this year.
South Western District‘s Eagles handed Free State their second consecutive loss with a dominant performance. Backed up by Charles Vosloo‘s boot, Henru Nel, Farrel Dido and Caleb Williams all crossed the whitewash as the Eagles cruised to a 25-7 win, rubbing further salt into the Free State wounds.
The Waterkloof duo from the Blue Bulls, Marko Kok and Ronan Bastiaanse, delivered the goods as the side from north of the Jukskei returned to winning ways with a 52-19 romp against the Limpopo Blue Bulls. Along with his brace of tries, Bastiaanse also slotted four conversions to move up to second spot on the points-scorers table.
Scorers:
Hoërskool Middelburg B-Field:
Golden Lions 56 (28) – Tries: Gideon Diedericks (2), Andrew Lambert (2), Ndimphiwe Mijiji, Rio Tshimbalanga, Samuel Smith, Michael Nwongwugwu. Conversions: Jaydon Viljoen (8). Eastern Province 10 (5) – Tries: James Mackenzie, Bradley Myburgh.
Western Province 25 (12) – Tries: Wege van Zyl, Harry Soboil, Chadlin Sellidon. Conversions: Francois van der Merwe (2). Penalties: Van der Merwe (2). Golden Lions XV 21 (0) – Diandro Botha (2), Dali Milanzi. Conversions: Daniel Soekoe (3).
Sharks 32 (22) – Tries: Theo Boshoff, Kanco Visagie, Ludi van der Walkt, Olwethu Kosani. Conversions: Cilermo Carolus (3). Penalties: Carolus. Boland 5 (0) – Try: Mychal Swart.
South Western Districts 25 (25) – Tries: Henru Nel, Farrel Dido, Caleb Williams. Conversions: Charles Vosloo (2). Penalty: Vosloo (2). Free State 7 (0) – Try: Keaton Pottas. Conversion: Okuhle Dyani.
Blue Bulls 52 (31) – Tries: Marko Kok (2), Ronan Bastiaanse (2), Charl Els, Joshua Fourie, Nico Klein, Petrus Rautenbach. Conversions: Ronan Bastiaanse (4), Tilon Baron (2). Limpopo Blou Bulle 19 (0) – Tries: Joe Cloete, Henco Venter, Daniel Leahy. Conversions: Juan Randall (2).
