The first Craven Week tournament in two years saw the tournament culminate in rainy weather with all the under-18 provincial teams playing their final match on the same day. 

Nonetheless, the “final” between the Blue Bulls and Western Province was expectedly the highlight of the day.

The match got off to an electric start with early seven pointers from both sides. Bulls No 8 Abri van der Westhuizen capitalised on good work from his forward pack while flanker Gareth Blackmore struck back almost immediately for WP after fantastic interplay by backs and forwards.

“It’s obviously very special. I’ve always watched it on TV at other schools but being at home, it’s more welcoming. It feels like I can perform even better because I have my family, my friends in the stands,” Rondebosch Boys’ High School captain, Blackmore, told Daily Maverick.

Before Saturday’s match, the Blue Bulls had scored five tries this week from the rolling maul, but it was the turn of the Province pack as the steam rolled over the Bulls line with hooker Luca Bakkes the recipient of his fellow forwards hard work.

With the scores tight at 14-7 to WP at halftime, it was the Blue Bulls that needed to strike early in the second stanza. Strike early they did as the Bulls set up their famous driving maul but instead of going gung-ho with their strike weapon, they set up several phases instead and eventually shifted the ball right as winger Liam Dick crossed in the corner to take his side within two points of Province.

As he has done all week, sharpshooter Stehan Heymans slotted the conversion over with ease despite the inclement weather and the tough angle to level the scores.

The Blue Bulls were guilty of trying to force the play and often threw one too many 50-50 passes. This was excellently read by WP winger Luke Graham who eyed the Bulls extravagant passing well and scored a neat interception try under the posts to restore Province’s seven-point buffer. 

Attempting to claw their way back into the match, the overeagerness of the Bulls caught up with them once again as flanker Nyakallo Makate caught Province flyhalf Thurlon Williams around the neck and was promptly shown yellow. 

With a man down in their pack, Western Province pounced on this by scoring a second rolling maul try, scored by Bakkes again but the conversion was unsuccessful as WP stretched their lead out to 26-14. 

With less than 15 minutes left on the clock, Williams slotted a penalty between the sticks for Province to ensure the side from Pretoria would need to score thrice to overcome their foes. 

After several minutes of sustained pressure on the Province tryline, the Bulls eventually got a consolation try through winger Luyolo Doyi who was left unmarked. 

The conversion from the corner was excellent as the match ended 29-21 in favour of the home side – the final proving to be an excellent advertisement for the premier schoolboy competition in the country. 

Tireque Caleb Apolles of the Blue Bulls during the match between DHL Western Province vs Blue Bulls on day 5 of the SA Rugby U18 Craven Week at Rondebosch Boys’ High School on 9 July 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo: Ashley Vlotman / Gallo Images)

Summary of day five results:

DHL Western Province XV 40 (26), Free State 36 (14)

WP – Tries: Sampie Joubert (2), Joe Bezuidenhout, Gino Cupido (2) Jandre Genis. Conversions: Genis (3), Christoff de Bruyn (2).

Free State – Tries: Nick Greyling (2), Casper Badenhorst, Nel van Heerden, Benito Goeda. Conversions: Bradley Giddy (4). Penalty goal: Giddy

Boland 21 (10), Leopards 14 (7)

Boland  – Tries: Jeandre Overmeyer, Jovawn Visagie. Conversion: Jayden Fortuin. Penalty goals: Fortuin (3).

Leopards – Tries: Grant Coetzee, Kraynu Kruger. Conversions: Erich Snyman (2).

Pumas 47 (28), Griquas 12 (5)

Pumas – Tries: Njabulo Shabangu (2), Francios Odendaal, Danny van Staden, Grant de Jager (2), Philasande Ntshapela. Conversions: Van Staden (2), Hardus Visser (4).

Griquas – Tries: AJ Wiese, Elridge Jack. Conversions: Juan Agenbag

Sharks 20 (15), SWD 13 (8)

Sharks – Tries: Ethan Bester, Deano Boesak, Dwight Pietersen. Conversion: AJ Knoetze. Penalty goal: Knoetze.

SWD – Tries: Ramon Uys, Camden Schoeman. Penalty goal: JT Strydom

Eastern Province 66 (35), Limpopo Blue Bulls 17 (7).

EP – Tries: Max du Pisani, MC Kruger, Liselihle Maphekula, Burrie van Heerden (2), Logan Muller, Luvuyo Nkomphela, Mtika Oliphant, Batho Hlekani (2). Conversions: Muller (8).

Limpopo – Tries: Johan van den Heever, Joy Ngobeni, Letlotlo Mohlala. Conversion: Tristan Brits.

Griffons 48 (24), Valke 17 (0).

Griffons – Tries: Oupa Appollis, Tiaan Naude, Connie Timmie, Jayleigh Arends, Ruben Kruger, Ayanda Silwanyana, Andru Mulder, Curt Smith. Conversions: Nalei Kiewiet (2), Kruger (2).

Valke – Tries: Morne Johnson, Oregopotse Shilubane, Christopher Swart. Conversion: Jaden Bantom.

Golden Lions 31 (17), Border 23 (13)

Lions – Tries: Sifiso Magwaza, Ceano Everson, Tylor Sefoor, Joel Leotlela. Conversions: Sefoor (4), Penalty goal: Sefoor.

Border – Tries: Dewan Du Preez (2). Conversions: Kyle van Wyk, Lesego Bota. Penalty goals: Bota (3).

DHL Western Province 29 (14), Blue Bulls 21 (7)

WP – Tries: Luca Bakkes (2), Gazza Blackmore, Luke Graham. Conversions: Thurlon Williams (3). Penalty goal: Williams.

Blue Bulls – Tries: Abri van der Westhuizen, Liam Dick, Luyolo Doyi. Conversions: Tireque Apolles, Stehan Heymans (2). DM