Sharks draw with Bulls, book final showdown with WP
Late drama on the second day of the 2025 Grant Khomo Week at St Alban’s College, in Pretoria, saw the defending champions, Western Province, and Sharks, book a showdown in the main match on Friday.
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In a dramatic finish to 60 minutes of high intensity rugby, the Sharks fought back in spectacular fashion to snatch a 29-29 draw with the hosts, the Blue Bulls.
A victory of 44-35 on the first day over the Golden Lions (44-35), who thrashed Boland 43-0 earlier today, ultimately secured the Sharks their spot to compete for ultimate honours. The side from KwaZulu-Natal would nevertheless be kicking themselves for the string of unforced errors, due to overeagerness as well as rock-solid defence by the opposition, during the first 45 minutes of their encounter with the Blue Bulls
The Pretoria-based outfit, on the other hand, managed to turn opportunities into points, putting the men in black and white under early scoreboard pressure. Reuben Smith‘s performance at flyhalf had the majority of the large crowd at the Moshate Field believing the hosts had secured a second consecutive victory. At the time, Smith had scored a try and converted three, for the Bulls to lead 29-12.
However, the Sharks refused to toss in the towel and wave after wave of attack finally paid dividends at the death.
Left winger Lisa Sijadu‘s relentless runs, with him regularly beating the first defender, were rewarded with a desperately needed brace of tries that got his side back in the running, before Lwanzo Vyambwera dived over to level the score.
Despite this memorable fightback, Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool lock, Keegan Fourie, delivered a rousing performance to walk away with the man of the match spoils.
In the main match, Western Province handled a spirited South Western Districts side, claiming victory by 29-21 despite some lapses in judgement and poor discipline. The WP pack laid the foundation through their strong driving malls and physical dominance, with locks, James Swart and Peter Krige, the sons of former Springboks Justin Swart and Corné Krige, stealing the show upfront.
Krige had to move to lock as a concussion replacement for the injured Rocco Buchanan, while Swart, despite receiving the week’s first red card, was named man of the match for an otherwise solid performance, especially at lineout time.
On the Baloyi Field, the Griquas remained unbeaten with another good showing against Zimbabwe, with Hoërskool Upington’s Stephan Fourie running in a brace. In addition, the No. 8’s tireless work ethic established the necessary platform from which Griquas could launch a 26-point onslaught in the second half for a 40-25 victory.
Eastern Province did enough in the first half to secure a first victory of the week, handing the Pumas their second defeat (27-15) in as many matches. Tighthead prop, Entle Ngcaba, of St Andrew’s College in Mkhanda, was in rampant form, charging across for two well-deserved tries.
Scorers:
Moshate Field:
Western Province 29 (14) – Tries: Luka van der Westhuizen, Ziyaad Jappie, Jake Dave, Ridah Johnson. Conversions: Dave (3). Penalty: Dave. South Western Districts 21 (7) – Tries: Reese Lewaa, Penalty Try (2).
Blue Bulls 29 (15) – Tries: Reuben Smith, Kyle van Staden, Ethan Williams, Keegan Fourie. Conversions: Smith (3). Penalty: Liam de Jager. Sharks 29 (12) – Tries: Lisa Sijadu (2), Elgenio Oersen, Mojalefa Mogale, Lwanzo Vyambwera. Conversions: Daniel Miskey (2).
Baloyi Field:
Eastern Province 27 (24) – Tries: Entle Ngcaba (2), Selunathi Mfundisi. Conversions: Nathan Trytsman (3). Penalty: Trytsman (2). Pumas 15 (10) – Tries: Menzi Siyaya, Lihle Nkadimeng. Conversion: Kgontse Masilela. Penalty: Masilela.
Griquas 40 (14) – Tries: Stephan Fourie (2), Jay-Dee Isaacs, Lee-Marquin Cronjé, Keanu Miles, Hanco Klopper. Conversions: Cronjé (4), Isaacs. Zimbabwe 25 (15) – Tries: Nicholas Mangwiro, Mukudzei Chisi, Miguel Mavera, Tafara Gara, Liam Britten.
The fixtures for the final day, Friday, 04 July, are:
Moshate Field:
09:00 – Griffons vs Eastern Province
10:15 – Golden Lions vs South Western Districts
11:30 – Blue Bulls vs Western Province XV
13:15 – Western Province vs Sharks
Baloyi A Field:
09:00 – Zimbabwe vs Namibia
10:15 – Border vs Boland
11:30 – Free State vs Griquas
Baloyi B Field:
09:00 – Border Country Districts vs Iqhawe XV
10:15 – Pumas vs Valke
11:30 – Leopards vs Limpopo Blue Bulls
