The Bloemfontein side produced the performance of the day as they outgunned the Limpopo Blue Bulls 66-41 in a thrilling 107-point spectacle on the Kolisi Field to underline their title credentials at South Africa’s premier schools rugby tournament.

It was a game filled with attacking flair and running rugby, but Free State’s clinical finishing and ability to convert opportunities proved to be the difference as they crossed the whitewash regularly in an impressive opening-round victory.

Flyhalf Zachary Walbrugh was one of the standout performers for Free State with a sensational individual contribution of 31 points. The talented pivot scored a hat-trick of tries and was influential throughout the match as he guided his side around the park.

The midfield pairing of Ruan Roux and Eddie Mabena also caused plenty of problems for the Limpopo defence, with both centres helping themselves to two tries in the high-scoring encounter.

The victory ensured Free State finished the opening day as the biggest winners of the tournament and immediately established themselves as one of the teams to watch during the week.

Elsewhere on the opening day, Western Province, Boland and the Sharks also got their campaigns off to winning starts.

Boland finished strongly to beat the Leopards 39-20, while the Sharks delivered a solid performance in their 36-19 victory over South Western Districts.

The final match of the day saw hosts Eastern Province test Western Province in a competitive first half. EP flyhalf Nathan Trytsman kept his team in the contest with two penalties as the home side trailed by just one point at the break.

However, Western Province shifted gears in the second half and scored 21 unanswered points to pull away for a 42-25 win. Flyhalf Achmat Behardien played a key role with the boot, slotting six conversions while also scoring a late try.

The U18 Craven Week continues on Tuesday with more exciting fixtures at Grey High School. Border will tackle the Valke in the opening match of the day, while the highly anticipated Jukskei Derby between the Blue Bulls and Golden Lions headline the afternoon action.

Scorers:

Free State: Tries - Zachary Walbrugh 3, Eddie Mabena 2, Ruan Roux 2, Lamla Mgedezi, Andrew Wessels, Unathi Ntuli Conv. - Walbrugh 8

Limpopo Blue Bulls: Tries - Lehlogonolo Letlabola 2, Juan Dreyer, Juan Randell, Kristen Swanepoel, Andru de Beer, Mahlatse Kekana Conv. - Randell 3

U18 Craven Week results – Monday, 6 July:

Boland 39-20 Leopards
Free State 66-41 Limpopo Blue Bulls
Sharks 36-19 South Western Districts
Western Province 42-25 Eastern Province

U18 Craven Week fixtures – Tuesday, 7 July:

09:30 – Border vs Valke
11:15 – Griquas vs Pumas
13:30 – Western Province XV vs Griffons
15:15 – Blue Bulls vs Golden Lions

Morgan Piek OFM Sport