Several of the country’s traditional powerhouses are continuing their impressive starts to the tournament, while there were some upsets again. The hosts, the Free State, continued their tough campaign with a second successive narrow defeat.

Western Province produced one of the standout performances of the day in the Craven Week competition, dismantling the Blue Bulls 52–14 with an exciting display of attacking rugby. The Golden Lions were equally impressive, crossing the tryline eight times in a dominant 53–7 victory over the Sharks.

Free State’s flyhalf scoring the first of his two tries. Photo: Morgan Piek

Boland maintained their unbeaten start with a convincing 47–12 win over Border, while SWD enjoyed a comfortable afternoon after beating the Leopards 40–8.

Griquas got the day’s action underway with a composed 26–5 victory against Namibia, while Eastern Province edged the Valke 17–15 in one of the closest contests of the round.

The biggest upset came when the Limpopo Blue Bulls snatched a dramatic 27–26 victory over hosts Free State in a thrilling encounter. 

A penalty on the stroke of full-time earned Limpopo their dramatic win against the Free State. Photo: Morgan Piek

It was another heartbreaking finish for the Cheetahs, who suffered their second successive one-point defeat after again conceding late. Despite the disappointment, the hosts produced a much-improved performance and showed far greater attacking intent than they had on the opening day.

On day one of the U13 Craven Week, Border edged the Free State 24–23 in a thrilling main game of the day.

The Griffons also continued their impressive campaign by securing a hard-fought 20–15 victory over the Pumas. The win backed up the Northern Free Staters’ solid 20–0 triumph over Namibia on the opening day.

Western Province bounced back from their 26–26 draw against the Leopards. Photo: Morgan Piek

The Academy Week competition also produced plenty of entertaining rugby.

Eastern Province kept Border Country Districts scoreless in a clinical 29–0 victory, while the Golden Lions continued their unbeaten run with a deserved 31–12 win over the Limpopo Blue Bulls.

Boland recorded the biggest victory of the day, overpowering Zimbabwe 61–5, while Western Province completed another successful outing with a convincing 45–17 win against Border.

Western Province outclassed their traditional rivals, the Blue Bulls, in every sense. Photo: Morgan Piek

The Blue Bulls defeated the Griffons 39–5, SWD cruised to a 45–7 victory over the Leopards, and the Sharks bounced back strongly by beating the Pumas 36–12.

One of the closest Academy Week fixtures saw the Valke edge the Cheetahs 10–5 in a tightly contested encounter.

Craven Week Day 2 Results:

• Griquas 26–5 Namibia
• Eastern Province 17–15 Valke
• Western Province 52–14 Blue Bulls
• Limpopo Blue Bulls 27–26 Cheetahs
• Griffons 20–15 Pumas
• Golden Lions 53–7 Sharks
• SWD 40–8 Leopards
• Boland 47–12 Border

Academy Week Day 2 Results:

• Eastern Province 29–0 Border Country Districts
• Golden Lions 31–12 Limpopo Blue Bulls
• Valke 10–5 Cheetahs
• Boland 61–5 Zimbabwe
• Blue Bulls 39–5 Griffons
• SWD 45–7 Leopards
• Western Province 45–17 Border
• Sharks 36–12 Pumas

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek sm