KwaZulu-Natal beat Western Province 19-17 on the second day of the U16 Grant Khomo Week in Oudtshoorn.
In a tight first half, WP's attacking prowess was matched by stern defence from KwaZulu-Natal. But dominating possession and territory paid off for the team from the Cape, who scored either side of the break to lead 12-0. Two minutes after conceding the second try, KZN were reduced to 14 men for foul play and WP took full advantage running in a third try in the 36th minute.
The boys from Durban fought back and scored two tries compliments of Dylan Richardson and Dylan Kruger to close in on WP at 17-12. They grew in confidence and Kasongo Ilunga barged over the tryline to level matters. Morné van Rensburg then successfully negotiated the match-winning conversion to complete the comeback.
In another exciting clash, Griquas flyhalf Charles Williams and Border centre David Coetzer bagged a hat-trick apiece as the sides played out to a 31-31 draw. Trailing 17-12 at the break, Border took the initiative early in the second stanza and were rewarded with two tries that put them 24-17 up. Griquas' seven-point advantage was restored soon after with two tries through Dehan du Plessis and Nelson Aparia, but Border weren't done yet. After a patient buildup, they dotted down under the posts for a converted effort to level matters.
Meanwhile, the Golden Lions scored six unanswered tries in their 34-3 demolition of Boland. The Lions bullied Boland in the opening stanza and crossed four times to lead 22-0 at the halfway mark. Boland conceded two more tries to trail by 34, but broke their points drought with a last-minute penalty goal.
In other results, Griquas Country Districts beat the SWD Eagles XV 29-5; Zimbabwe were full value for their 36-3 victory over Border Country Districts; the Leopards suffered a 38-19 loss at the hands of the Limpopo Blue Bulls; the Blue Bulls dispatched SWD 39-10; Free State hammered the Pumas 38-10; the Valke lost 35-17 to Eastern Province and the Griffons went down 27-17 to Namibia.
KwaZulu-Natal (19) – Tries: Kasongo Ilunga, Dylan Richardson, Dylan Kruger. Conversions: Morné van Rensburg (2).
Western Province (17) – Tries: Divan Enslin, Ian Kitwanga (2). Conversion: Durin Nasson.
Border (31) – Tries: David Coetzer (3), Nicholas Njumba, Sibahle Kuhlane. Conversions: Coetzer (3).
Griquas (31) – Tries: Charles Williams (3), Dehan du Plessis, Nelson Aparcia. Conversions: Williams (3).
Golden Lions (34) – Tries: Ignis Meyer, Mark Snyman, Damean Venter, Travis Gordon, Tinus Combrinck, David Cary. Conversions: Kennedy Mpeku (2).
Boland (3) – Penalty: Lloyd April.
Griquas CD (29) – Tries: Stebastiaan Job, Delron Speelman, Isak Stallenberg, Petrus Duvenhage, Erik Kies. Conversions: Iwan Lombard (2).
SWD Eagles XV (5) – Try: Warzaineon Barends.
Zimbabwe (36) – Tries: Chipo Mupeso, Jack Charsley, Desmond Annandale, Tafadziswa Bunu, Munashe Kamera (2). Conversions: Martin Eeson (3).
Border CD (3) – Penalty: Martin Lottering.
Limpopo Blue Bulls (38) – Tries: Pieter Croukamp, Muzi Nyakane, Carl du Plessis, Nyiko Ntlemo (2). Conversions: Karel Limbach (4), Jonathan Viljoen. Penalty: Limbach.
Leopards (19) – Tries: Damon Jans, Zimosa Mokama, Graivian Smith. Conversions: Loanne Jans (2).
Blue Bulls (39) – Tries: Ahren Smith, Johan van Zyl (2), Divhan du Preez, Ruben Veldsman, Stephane Ndjaya, Charles Goedhals. Conversions: Goedhals, Michael Pretorius.
SWD Eagles (10) – Try: Jay-Cee Nel. Conversion: Darryn Fortuin. Penalty: James-Henry Mollentze.
Free State (38) – Tries: Marcel Theunissen, Janco van Heyningen (2), Dwayne Arendse, Wyclef Vlitoor, Christopher Schreuder. Conversions: Schreuder (4).
Pumas (10) – Tries: Carlo Nortje, Uys du Preez.
Eastern Province (35) – Tries: Elandre Smit, Chrispian Jaggers, Le-Kleu Stokes, Ayabonga Matroos, Waqar Solaan. Conversions: Vaughn Isaacs (5).
Valke (17) – Tries: Ruben Beytell, Quan Eymann, Lee-Irwin Andries. Conversions: Ruben Beytell.
Namibia (27) – Tries: Warren Ludwig, Lorenzo Groenewald, Wynand Breytenbach. Conversions: Denzo Bruwer (2), Delron Brandt. Penalties: Denzo Bruwer (2).
Griffons (17) – Tries: Darren Hull (3). Conversion: Andrew Kota.
Photo: Carl Fourie/Getty Images
