Miskey, Sharks backs bamboozle Province
It was exactly the flair-filled performance the Sharks needed to beat the defending champions, Western Province, in the unofficial final of the 2025 Grant Khomo Week, at St Alban’s College in Pretoria.
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After surviving a scare on the second day and drawing 29-29 with the Blue Bulls, the Sharks produced the display of the week to comprehensively dethrone WP with a final score of 51-28.
This feat marks the KwaZulu-Natal Union’s first Grant Khomo title since 2006. Prior to that, they reigned victorious once, claiming the title during the inaugural week back in 2003.
Sharks flyhalf Daniel Miskey and the rest of the Sharks back division made it crystal clear that they were there to play. From the outset, the KZN backline gave the ball air, putting WP under all sorts of pressure.
Miskey delivered a masterful performance in the 10 jumper.
His vision and flair on attack gave the likes of Lisa Sijadu the freedom to run in a brace of tries, while prop forward Nyakallo Masiloane was in marauding form with two tries of his own. In addition, Miskey had a near flawless performance from the kicking tee, slotting five conversions and two penalties for a personal contribution of 16 points.
The defending champions did show signs of putting up a valiant fightback with an energetic spell shortly before and after halftime. Lock Rocco Buchanan gave 100 percent with a tireless outing upfront, but the onslaught from the Sharks’ livewires out wide would ultimately prove too much for the side from the Cape.
The wounded Blue Bulls redeemed themselves with a well-rounded team performance to wallop Western Province XV 43-12. Hooker, Hendré Ehlers, and No. 8, Caleb Pretorius, did the bulk of the damage for the Pretoria-based side with a brace each.
Free State recorded their first victory of the week, beating neighbours Griquas 45-34 in another high-scoring affair. Trailing 10-15 at the break, the Free State outfit finally hit their straps in sensational fashion during the second half.
Through a hat-trick by Rossouw de Waal, the first and only of the final day, the Free Staters managed to amass 35 points in the second stanza. Griquas’ Franklin Stevens ensured some consolation for Griquas with two tries of his own.
The Limpopo Blue Bulls left the best for last as they overcame traditional rivals, the Leopards, by 30-12. Hoërskool Ellisras’ Tino Roberts led the way with a brace of tries, while Johan van Biljon slotted three conversions and three penalties to contribute half of his side’s total.
Scorers:
Moshate Field:
Sharks 51 (38) – Tries: Nyako Masiloane (2), Lisa Sijadu (2), Bulelani Cebani, Nala Shabangu, Aobakwe Moeng. Conversions: Daniel Miskey (5). Penalties: Miskey (2). Western Province 28 (21) – Tries: Rocco Buchanan, Corné Ferreira, James Sale, Thomas Meyer. Conversions: Jake Dave (3), Caleb Clark.
Blue Bulls 43 (22) – Tries: Hendré Ehlers (2), Caleb Pretorius (2), Dandré Brink, Kyle van Staden, Luhan Hattingh. Conversions: Kyle van Staden (3), Reuben Smith. Western Province XV 12 (7) – Tries: Hadley Erasmus, Liam Philander. Conversions: Divan Meyer.
Baloyi A-Field:
Free State 45 (10) – Tries: Rossouw de Waal (3), Niel du Randt (2), Guiteau Petrus, Frans Trotskie. Conversions: Zachery Walburgh (5). Griquas 34 (15) – Tries: Franklin Stevens (2), LJ Buys, Jay-Dee Isaacs, Stephan Fourie. Conversions: Isaacs (3). Penalty: Isaacs.
Baloyi B-Field:
Limpopo Blue Bulls 30 (27) – Tries: Tino Roberts (2), Letlgonolo Mojapelo. Conversions: Johan van Biljon (3). Penalty: Van Biljon (3), SH van Zyl. Leopards 12 (12) – Tries: Chadwin Garnett, Karabello Kgamanyake. Conversion: Johann von Moltke.
