Western Province showed their class to defeat Border 45-17 in the final match of the U18 Academy Week in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

With the victory they finished the tournament as one of four unbeaten sides, along with the Pumas CD, Limpopo Blue Bulls and Valke.

The tournament once again delivered on excitement, with 392 tries and 2,609 points being scored over the 42 games in five days.

Western Province and Border entered the closing match of the competition unbeaten, but a seven-try romp by the Capetonians outclassed the East London outfit.

The first half was hard fought, with Province taking a narrow 12-10 lead, but they moved into a higher gear in the second half, with Luke Burger (wing) and Canan Moodie (centre) each scoring braces, while Jandre Burger (flyhalf) had a good day with the boot, slotting five conversions.

The Valke were in control of their clash with Free State Cheetahs, during which they built up a 31-21 lead en route to their 43-33 victory. The East Randers’ flank Bishop Mohono and Duane Bloem (centre) each scored twice, accounting for four of the team’s seven tries.

Academy week results (Day 5)

Namibia 20 Zimbabwe 15

Griquas CD 59 Border CD 15

EP Elephants CD 17 Griffons CD 38

Sharks CD 7 Pumas CD 15

SA LSEN 50 SA LSEN XV 22

EP Elephants 80 Pumas 7

Boland 26 Blue Bulls XV 23

Griquas 58 Golden Lions Academy 37

Free State Cheetahs 33 Valke 43

Sharks 59 SWD 24

Golden Lions 28 Blue Bulls 36

Leopards 30 Western Province CD 24

Limpopo Blue Bulls 37 Griffons 26

Western Province 45 Border 17

Photo: EJ Langer/Gallo Images