Viljoen fires Lions to third straight title
Jaydon Viljoen capped a memorable week in Middelburg as the tournament’s leading points-scorer by guiding the Golden Lions to a third consecutive Academy Week title.
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The Hoërskool Monument flyhalf once again starred, contributing 16 points towards his side’s 31–20 victory over Western Province in Friday’s final. It also marked the Lions’ ninth consecutive win at the Academy Week, maintaining an unbeaten streak that began with their first fixture of the 2023 edition.
In addition to his reliable kicking, which was a highlight throughout the week, Viljoen also opened the scoring in the unofficial final with a try. Inside centre, Samuel Smith, delivered another commanding attacking display in midfield, and scored arguably the try of the match to seal the win for the red-and-whites.
For Province, flyhalf Francois van der Merwe demonstrated class and vision to keep his team in contention. After the break, momentum briefly shifted as captain Sango Zangqa powered over through a driving maul, followed by tries by Eathon Williams and Deros Manya. It was too little, too late, though, as the Lions’ defence stood firm during the latter stages to secure yet another title.
In the curtain-raiser, the South Western District Eagles edged past the Lions XV in a nail-biting encounter, preserving their unbeaten record with a 20–19 win. Caleb Williams’ mighty boot proved decisive, with two long-range penalty goals that extended the Eagles’ lead beyond reach, although late tries from the Welpies’ Siyabonga Ncube and Juandré Ehlers nearly turned the tide.
Eagles’ hooker Adrian Smith deserves a special mention for his tireless grafting and ball-carrying efforts that ignited his pack, even though he did not cross the whitewash himself.
Eastern Province returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion, running in seven tries for a 45–24 victory over Boland. Nippy scrumhalf Oliver John opened the scoring and backed it up with a composed display behind a dominant pack. The solid platform provided to him and flyhalf Bulomko Kilani enabled Eastern Province to play with freedom, unleashing their pacy outside backs who thrived in open space.
In Friday’s opening match, the Sharks mounted a remarkable comeback from 12-29 down to defeat the Blue Bulls 33–29. Hooker Theo Boshoff continued his rich vein of form behind the driving maul to conclude the week with a hat-trick of tries.
The Bulls dominated the first half, with flyhalf Tilon Baron dictating play well, but were shut out in the second stanza. The Sharks controlled the final 35 minutes to convert the increased pressure into 21 unanswered points, with Cilermo Carolus scoring the match-winning try on the final hooter.
Scorers:
Hoërskool Middelburg A-Field:
Golden Lions 31 (24) – Tries: Jaydon Viljoen, Manuel Motsi, Samuel Smith, Michael Nwogwungwu. Conversions: Viljoen (4). Penalty: Viljoen. Western Province 20 (3) – Tries: Sango Zangqa, Eathon Williams, Deros Manya. Conversions: Francois van der Merwe (2). Penalty: Van der Merwe.
South Western Districts 20 (7) – Tries: Wayne Ganniwa, Hayden Luiter. Conversions: CT Volsoo (2). Penalties: Caleb Williams (2). Lions XV 19 (0) – Tries: Francois Tonkin, Siyabonga Ncube, Juandré Ehlers. Conversions: Daniel Soekoe (2).
Eastern Province 45 (21) – Tries: Oliver Johns, Moah Mbizi, Chuma Bloouw, Bradley Myburgh, Wendall Uithaler, Silinde Ntshokoma. Conversions: Boland 24 (17) – Tries: Anwill Jacobs, Jano van Deventer, Favian Arendse, Morné Roos. Conversions: Van Deventer (2).
Sharks 33 (12) – Tries: Theo Boshoff (3), Andrew Schnell, Cilermo Carolus. Conversions: Lwazi Mbebe (3), Lux Sonkononkono. Blue Bulls 29 (24) – Tries: Tilon Baron, Marko Kok, Ronan Bastiaanse, Justin Blom. Conversions: Bastiaanse (3). Penalty: Bastiaanse.
