Western Province scored 10 tries to thrash the Griffons 65-5 on day three of the U18 Craven Week in Stellenbosch.
Province were wary of an upset after the Griffons' shock win against Free State on Monday, but ended up demolishing their opposition.
Winger Nico Leonard opened the scoring in the fifth minute, and added another try at the end of the half. There were also five-pointers from lock Ruben de Villiers, winger Ryan Muller and fullback Joshua Vermeulen as WP raced into a 43-5 half-time lead.
The Griffons produced a more spirited display in the second half, but the hosts were still able to add another four tries through captain Ernst van Rhyn, replacement centre George Lourens, replacement winger Tyreeq February, and one right at the death by centre Cornel Smit.
In the penultimate game of the day, Boland overcame a fancied Border outfit 20-15 having trailed 12-0 at the break.
Boland bounced back strongly in the second half with a try from winger Gilroy Philander, which in-form flyhalf Adriaan van der Bank converted. The Western Cape side struck again in the 47th minute with a try by flank Steyn Olivier, before Border added a penalty by flyhalf Courtney Winnaar. The closing minutes were tense, but a penalty and drop goal by Van der Bank ensured Boland secured back-to-back victories.
In Wednesday's other results, the Blue Bulls scored four tries to beat the Pumas 35-17, Free State saw off Namibia 43-19 after a nervy first half, and the Limpopo Blue Bulls survived a second-half comeback from Border Country Dictricts to claim a 34-20 victory.
Western Province (65) – Tries: Joshua Vermeulen, Cornel Smit, Ernst van Rhyn, Tyreeq February, Ruben de Villiers, George Lourens, Ryan Muller, Damian Willemse, Nico Leonard (2). Conversions: Joshua Vermeulen (4), Cornel Smit (2). Penalty: Smit.
Griffons (5) – Try: Duke Jantjies.
Boland (20) – Tries: Gilroy Philander, Steyn Olivier. Conversions: Adriaan van der Bank (2). Penalt: Van der Bank. Drop goal: Van der Bank.
Border (15) – Tries: Michael Botha, Tristian Coetzer. Conversion: Courtney Winnaar. Penalty: Winnaar.
Blue Bulls (35) – Tries: Runan Venter, Ruben van Heerden, Wayne van der Bank (2). Conversions: Eddie Fouché (2), Venter. Penalties: Fouché (3).
Pumas (17) – Tries: Ruben Roodt, Marnus van der Merwe, Dewald Maritz. Conversion: Wessel Muller.
Free State (43) – Tries: Niel Durow, Daniel William Rust, Dian Schoonees, Kian Skippers (2), Jurie Burger (2). Conversions: Christiaan Schutte (4).
Namibia (19) – Tries: Cliven Loubser, Christiaan Ras, Armondo van Wyk. Conversions: Cliven Loubser (2).
Limpopo Blue Bulls (34) – Tries: Franco van der Watt, Stefan Engelbrecht, Salie Vermaak, Jan Coertze, Chris Jenkinson (2). Conversions: Wernich Kachelhoffer (2).
Border CD (20) – Tries: Josh Armstrong, Aviwe Mancotywa, Soyama Ngceke. Conversion: Alrich Plaatjies. Penalty: Plaatjies.
Day 4 fixtures:
09:00 – Griquas CD vs Leopards
10:30 – Zimbabwe vs Eastern Province CD
12:00 – SWD vs Lions
13:30 – Valke vs Griquas
15:00 – Eastern Province vs KwaZulu-Natal
Photo: Petri Oeschger/Gallo Images
