The Cheetahs thumped the Sharks 50-5 at Hoërskool Sentraal on Thursday morning to earn their first win of the tournament. On Monday Free State lost to the Pumas, and to the Leopards on Tuesday.

Free State scored on the stroke of half time to open the scoring and then scored 43 points in the second stanza. Free State was looking good for a clean sheet against the boys from KwaZulu-Natal, however, they scored on the full time to with a consolation try.

In want was a brilliant game of running rugby, the EP Elephants beat the Griffons 31-22. The Leopards in their turn suffered a 52-26 defeat to the Gauteng XV.

In the “Juksei Derby” between the Golden Lions and Blue Bulls, it went right down to the wire with the side from the Jakaranda City scoring a last-second try to beat their neighbours 15-14.

In the unofficial final on Thursday afternoon Western Province retained their unbeaten record for the week with a convincing 51-5 drubbing of the SWD Eagles who were somewhat of a surprise package at the tournament.

On Thursday evening the two LSEN national team will be announced which will play in the Academy Craven Week.

Day 1 results: Valke 38 - 13 Blue Bulls, Griffons 69-17 Sharks, Western Province 34-38 EP Elephants, Golden Lions EE 0-29 Gauteng XV, Boland 29-59 SWD Eagles, Golden Lions 26-24 Leopards, Free State Cheetahs 15-24 Pumas.

Day 2 results: Free State Cheetahs 24-53 Leopards, Sharks 5-37 Golden Lions EE, Golden Lions 38-12 Pumas, Gauteng XV 17-25 EP Elephants, Boland 14-18 Blue Bulls, Western Province 48-17 Griffons, Valke 17-29 SWD Eagles.

Day 3 results: Golden Lions EE 15 – 10 Pumas, Sharks 5 – 50 Free State Cheetahs, Golden Lions 14-15 Blue Bulls, Valke 43-28 Boland, SWD Eagles 5-51 Western Province, EP Elephants  31-22 Griffons, Leopards 26-52 Gauteng XV.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport