South Africa’s top schoolboys are currently in action at the U18 Craven Week which is being staged at Hoërskool Monument in Krugersdorp.
Note: These fixtures and results are FREE to read
The tournament, which forms part of SA Rugby’s 2024 Youth Weeks programme, will run from 24 to 29 June, with 16 teams competing across the matches played on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Four matches took place on Day One of the tournament, Monday, 24 June.
Western Province were reduced to 13 players
Twenty-nine tries were scored over the course of the games staged on Monday, with four teams – namely Western Province, South Western Districts, the Valke and Boland – surpassing the 30-point mark.
Western Province started well in their battle against the Sharks, but the complexion of the game changed after the KwaZulu-Natalians scored a converted try in the 60th minute and reduced the deficit to four points.
The Sharks’ chances of completing a comeback victory received a further boost after two WP players were shown red cards for separate foul-play offences.
But the 13-man WP side held its nerve in the closing stages, and flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed slotted two late penalties to seal a 36-26 win.
Ahmed finished the game with a personal tally of 21 points.
Earlier in the day, SWD edged the Valke in a 12-try thriller, with winger Lee-win Pretorius scoring a brace.
After trailing at half-time, the Eagles powered their way to a 41-34 win.
Boland played with plenty of attacking intent in their clash with the Leopards.
Flyhalf Luan Giliomee slotted five conversions and two penalties to consolidate his team’s lead, while the Leopards scored three late tries to add some respectability to the final scoreline of 41-21.
Eastern Province racked up 18 first-half points to take charge of the Eastern Cape derby against Border.
The Bulldogs clawed their way back into the contest after half-time before EP kicked a couple of penalties to secure a 24-18 victory.
Western Province are the Craven Week defending champions.
The Golden Lions, the hosts for this year’s tournament, will be in action on Tuesday, along with the WP XV, Griquas, Pumas, Limpopo Blue Bulls, Free State, Griffons and the Blue Bulls.
Day One results:
South Western Districts 41-34 Valke
Boland 41-21 Leopards
Eastern Province 24-14 Border
Western Province 36-26 Sharks
Day Two fixtures and results:
Western Province XV 52-17 Griquas
Pumas 60-17 Limpopo Bulls
Free State 57-36 Griffons
Blue Bulls vs Golden Lions – 14:30
The South African website will update the results as and when they happen