Western Province are looking forward to the unofficial U18 Craven Week final following wins against the Blue Bulls and Griffons in Stellenbosch.

The hosts beat the Blue Bulls 20-13 on Monday and then ran in 10 tries to thrash the Griffons 65-5 on Wednesday. Province were ruthless against a Griffons side that had beaten Free State in their first game.

The WP backs were superb with flank and captain Ernst van Rhyn being named Man of the Match. 

WP manager Frikkie Coetzer is pleased with his side's progress.

'We prepared very well and spent a lot of time together as a team before the tournament,' he told SARugbymag.co.za. 'The Bulls game was massive for us, as it always is. We knew that if we could front up to them physically then we would be able to beat them.

'The guys then played really well against the Griffons. We were clinical in the first half, but lost a bit of shape and the game was too loose for our liking after the break. That said, we're very confident going forward after that display.'

WP are now expected to play either Eastern Province or KwaZulu-Natal, who meet on Thursday, in Saturday's unofficial final. 

EP beat SWD 41-31 on Monday in a repeat of last year’s unofficial final after a mercurial display from Grey PE flyhalf Curwin Bosch, while KZN edged the Golden Lions 18-16.

‘We’ll be in for a tough clash,' said Coetzer. 'EP have the magical Bosch, who has the ability to dictate the game. We’d have to try and put him under pressure and make sure he gets as little of the ball as possible.’

Photo: Petri Oeschger/Gallo Images