The Blue Bulls beat the Golden Lions 23-17 on day one of the U16 Grant Khomo Week in Kimberley on Monday, while Western Province and the Sharks both lost.
In an action-packed opening day, a total of 358 points and 48 tries were scored. The Griffons were the biggest contributors, scoring nine tries in their 57-7 rout of Namibia.
In the match of the day, the Bulls outscored the Lions three tries to one in a closely fought encounter, with Franco Knoetze scoring a brace.
Border caused a big upset when they beat unofficial defending champions Western Province 16-6. Border flyhalf Sihlalo Benge scored all his team’s points via a try, conversion and three penalty goals.
Meanwhile, Hugo Mostert kicked a penalty on the stroke of full-time as Boland inflicted an agonising 27-26 defeat on the Sharks. The first half was dominated by the Sharks, who led 19-7 at the break. Boland, however, put in a stirring second-half display.
In other fixtures, Free State edged SWD 32-31, the Valke erased a 16-point deficit to down the Limpopo Blue Bulls 24-23, Zimbabwe claimed a 26-14 victory against Border CD, Eastern Province lashed the Leopards 24-5 and the Pumas beat Griquas 30-15.
Day 1 results:
Blue Bulls 23 Golden Lions 17
Border 16 Western Province 6
Boland 27 Sharks 26
Griffons 57 Namibia 7
Free State 32 SWD 31
Valke 24 Limpopo 23
Zimbabwe 26 Border CD 14
Eastern Province 24 Leopards 5
Pumas 30 Griquas 15
Photo: @YouthWeeks/Twitter
