Rathebe gets Leopards off to a flying start, but it was still not enough to upset the hosts
It took only 30 seconds for the first try to be scored in the first game of the second day of the annual Grant Khomo Week, when Jordan Rathebe, the lively centre from Vryburg, gathered a loose ball to get the Leopards off to a dream start against Boland.
Catch all the games on SuperSport Schools – Register now. The tournament is hosted by Boland Landbou in the Agter-Paarl.
The Boland boys played in the last match yesterday against Western Province and had to be up and ready again early today to play in the first match.
That might account for their somewhat slow start, but the Leopards also deserve full credit for the way they kept applying pressure on the Boland team.
Boland did well to regroup in the second half and managed to fight their way back from 15-0 down to win 30-25, lead from the front by their industrious fullback from Hoërskool Bredasdorp, Junaide Stuart, who scored a brace and looked threatening every time he got the ball in space.
Travis Pheiffer‘s tremendous kicking boot controlled the game for Eastern Province against Border.
The flyhalf from Grey High in Port Elizabeth was spot on from the tee, missing only one long-range penalty attempt.
Despite a valiant attempt by Border at fighting back in the second half, EP won that match comfortably 34-17.
After also beating the Border Country District team 26-14, Eastern Province are two from two at this year’s event so far.
The fullback from Framesby, Damian Witbooi, also stood out for Eastern Province, scoring two tries.
His schoolmate and scrumhalf, Jaden Brewis, also enjoyed an excellent game.
Junaid Coetzee, the flyhalf from Paul Roos, starred for the Western Province XV in their 38-7 victory over the Pumas.
He scored a try and two conversions as his team showcased their skill, dominating the Pumas throughout the game.
It took 55 minutes before Liam Pringle, Nelspruit’s scrumhalf, managed to get the Pumas on the board with a try.
With only two minutes left on the clock, there was still nothing separating the Griffons and the Limpopo Blue Bulls at 17-all in their match.
In a titanic struggle between these two provincial teams, the Griffons got the early lead which they had to defend against a relentless attack from the Limpopo Blue Bulls for the majority of the game.
A late try by Boitumelo Makgaba, the lightning quick backline player from Curro Heuwelkruin, seemed to have stolen it for the side from Limpopo until Witteberg’s fullback, Owen Petersen, scored an exceptional individual try for the Griffons to draw them equal again.
Still not letting go of the fight, the Limpopo Blue Bulls then forced a penalty in the 58th minute, which their fullback from Frikkie Meyer, Anzio Swartbooi, expertly converted to steal a late win for his side.
Scorers:
Boland 30 (0) – Tries: Junaide Stuart (2), Lyle Pienaar, Kyle Albertus, Junade Pasensie. Conversions: Lian Lochner, Pasensie. Penalty: Lochner. Leopards 25 (15) – Tries: Jordan Rathebe (2), Abrie Esterhuizen. Conversions: Claydon Karelse (2). Penalties: Karelse (2).
Eastern Province 34 (31) – Tries: Damien Witbooi (2), Erin Nelson, Taylon Matowa. Conversions: Travis Pheiffer (4). Penalties: Pheiffer (2). Border 17 (0) – Tries: Dan Carr, Boikoho Motlohi, Ollie Schmidt. Conversion: Bungqina Nuku.
Western Province XV 38 (24) – Tries: Gavie Kok, Stiaan de Goede, Quewinn Lackay, Jordan Steenkamp, Attie van der Lingen, Junaid Coetzee. Conversions: Coetzee (2), Zheemo Isaacs (2). Pumas 7 (0) – Try: Liam Pringle. Conversion: Matthew Abbey.
Limpopo Blue Bulls 20 (5) – Tries: Luhann Janse van Rensburg, Aretumisheng Ramohale, Boitumelo Makgaba. Conversion: Anzio Swartbooi. Penalty: Swartbooi.
Zimbabwe 24 (12) – Tries: Earl Chisendeni, Rory Honey, Zane Sibanda, Tavonga Chinsa. Conversions: Honey (2). Free State XV 21 (14) – Tries: Christiaan Mathys, Jan Hendrik van der Linden, Regard Scheepers. Conversions: Van der Linden (3).
Namibia 45 (19) – Tries: Jaythen Orange (2), Burger Oelofsen, Dirk Farmer, Jurick van der Berg, Frederik Fourie, Adriaan Boonzaaier. Conversions: John-Daniel Meintjies (5). Border Country Districts 19 (0) – Tries: Luvo Mtshiso, Uyanda-Mlibo Makupala, Linethemba Mtsewu. Conversions: Azukiwe Magqaza (2).
