The Bulls, Sharks, and both Western Province sides claimed valuable victories on the opening day of the FNB U16 Grant Khomo Week, which commenced at St Alban’s College in Pretoria on Monday.
The inaugural day of the U16 tournament witnessed numerous closely contested encounters, with Border, the Valke, South Western Districts, Griffons, and Griquas amongst the teams that proceeded to secure triumphs.
The Bulls commenced their home campaign with a clinical display, crossing for four tries in a commanding 32-13 victory over Boland. Outside centre Dandré Brink touched down twice for the hosts.
The encounter between the Sharks and Golden Lions produced 79 points and eleven tries, with the KwaZulu-Natalians proceeding to secure a thrilling 44-35 victory. Full-back Rosco Williams registered a hat-trick for the Sharks, whilst inside centre Blessing Manoreng achieved the same feat for the Lions.
A considerably tighter affair between the Western Province XV and the Pumas was decided by inside centre Divan Meyer, who converted three tries and slotted three penalty goals to guide the WP XV to a narrow 30-27 triumph.
Zimbabwe delivered a remarkable performance in the day’s opening fixture, crossing for eleven tries in a comprehensive 71-3 victory over Border Country Districts. Inside centre Denzel Nyambo registered a hat-trick for the Zimbabweans, whilst scrum-half Gray van der Merwe succeeded with eight conversions.
The Valke rallied from a first-half deficit to defeat the Limpopo Blue Bulls 24-15, whilst the Griffons similarly managed to edge past Namibia 32-24, having trailed by two points at the interval.
In the final two encounters of the day, Western Province claimed an emphatic 55-22 victory over Free State – with centre Luca Orgill crossing for a brace for the men in blue and white hoops – whilst Griquas surged ahead to defeat the Iqhawe XV 50-14, after the scores remained level at half-time.
FNB U16 Grant Khomo Week day one results (Monday, 30 June):
Zimbabwe 71 (36) Border Country Districts 3 (3)
Border 26 (19) Leopards 22 (5)
Valke 24 (5) Limpopo Blue Bulls 15 (12)
South Western Districts 27 (15) Eastern Province 10 (5)
Griffons 32 (15) Namibia 24 (17)
Sharks 44 (27) Golden Lions 35 (21)
Western Province XV 30 (17) Pumas 27 (15)
Bulls 32 (15) Boland 13 (3)
Western Province 55 (24) Free State 22 (10)
Iqhawe XV 14 (14) Griquas 50 (14)
