Lions set for Craven Week final
11 Jul 2012
GARETH DUNCAN watched the Golden Lions deliver a superior physical performance to power to a 17-8 win over KZN in the U18 Craven Week day three feature match in PE.
KZN were considered the favourites to edge this result after their convincing showing against Free State on day one, which saw them win 48-24. The Lions were also disappointing during their 29-14 win over Border.
However, with the tournament rules forcing teams to give all their players a start, the changes KZN made caused disruption and they struggled for cohesion in this vital fixture. They also failed to find the attacking synergy they showed against Free State.
The Lions defended very well and dominated the collisions. The difference in size between the two teams was evident, as the schoolboys from Gauteng were much bigger than their opposition. This all set the platform for victory.
KZN were off to a positive start when flyhalf Rob Anderson kicked a 45m penalty to open the scores. But the Lions surged into the lead when hooker Malcolm Marx burst over to score a try, and flyhalf Jako van der Walt added the extras and a penalty.
KZN made it 10-8 before the break, thanks to the individual brilliance of fullback Jesse Kriel. The Maritzburg College speedster broke the Lions’ defence, then beat three covering defenders to collect his chip ahead with one hand to score. This will be remembered as the try of the tournament.
However, it was a frustrating second half for the day one heroes. KZN created more try-scoring opportunities, but failed to finish them because of the Lions’ firm defence and elementary errors at the set-pieces. Goal kicking also cost them as Anderson missed his three next attempts, while scrumhalf Cameron Wright pushed a long-range effort.
The Lions capitalised on this and sealed the win when tighthead prop Clinton Theron crashed over under the poles. The victors will now feature in their second consecutive unofficial final.
KZN – 15 Jesse Kriel (Maritzburg College), 14 Bruce Arnott (Michaelhouse), 13 Michael Mvelase (Michaelhouse), 12 Sandile Kubheka (Kearsney), 11 Corne Vermaak (Glenwood), 10 Rob Anderson (Michaelhouse), 9 Cameron Wright (Hilton), 8 Josh Moon (Michaelhouse), 7 Jean-Luc du Preez (Kearsney), 6 Carel Swart (Glenwood), 5 Daniel du Preez (Kearsney), 4 Justin Moberly (Michaelhouse), 3 Mvevo Khumalo (Maritzburg College), 2 Vuyo Khatide (Maritzburg College), 1 Pat Sikhosana (Port Shepstone).
Subs: 16 Steven Hardman (Michaelhouse), 17 Mzizi Zondi (Westville), 18 Sihle Nqxabi (Glenwood), 19 Michael van Aardt (Glenwood), 20 Mondli Nkosi (George Campbell), 21 Nkululeko Marwana (Glenwood), 22 Mthokozisi Makhabela (Glenwood).
Golden Lions – 15 Erwin Harris (Florida), 14 Surprise Mayekiso (KES), 13 Koch Marx (Alberton), 12 Innocent Radebe (St Stithians), 11 Allistar Mcquire (KES), 10 Jako van der Walt (Monument), 9 Bradley Janse van Rensburg (KES), 8 Revo Mabunda (Parktown Boys’), 7 Chris Massyn (Monument, c), 6 Ruan Mcdonald (Monument), 5 Victor Sekete (Monument), 4 Stefan Vermeulen (Queens), 3 Clinton theron (Florida), 2 Malcom Marx (KES), 1 Dylon Smith (KES).
Subs: 16 Emmanual Morowane (Jeppe), 17 Frans van Wyk (Monument), 18 Cyle Brink (KES), 19 Thapelo Rapelwane (St John’s), 20 Eric Botes (Florida), 21 Wanele maholwane (KES), 22 Barend Herbst (Monument).
24 Comments
11 Jul 2012, 18:34 pm
Lions are always physically and mentally stronger than guppies … it is true.
11 Jul 2012, 18:44 pm
Nice to see a Parktown Boy in there .. long time since that has happened at any provincial level.. and Lions dominated by KES boys.. a swing away from Monas being the dominant feeder school.
what happens to all these potential Lions after they leave school
Rugby just goes onto the back burners as something reminiscing about but not busting a gut for some out of reach national ambition.
11 Jul 2012, 19:04 pm
@RL(RL)-1: Pfffftttt…..shame jirretog….
Are you going to get emotional after watching your team lose for the last time in Super rugby this weekend ?
11 Jul 2012, 19:23 pm
A group of 44 players will be announced as the
SA Schools High Performance Group at the
completion of the Coca-Cola Under-18 Craven
Week in Port Elizabeth, on July 14.
This extended group of players will play a set of
trials on 28 July and the squad will then be
trimmed to 28 players. The SA Schools team to
play in the three Under-18 internationals will then
be selected from this final group of 28.
Vs Wales,France & England
Since Pollard is taking no further part does this
mean SA Schools will probably need another
option??
11 Jul 2012, 19:31 pm
Unless Pollard’s injury is long term you can expect him in the squad. SA schools isn’t just taking craven week players into account. They’ll announce the group based on the best craven and academy week players. It’s meant to be the best group of schoolboys so no reason to ignore Pollard who performed for SA at u20 level.
11 Jul 2012, 20:22 pm
Yup – 7 KES boys in the squad – no wonder they’re kicking ***
11 Jul 2012, 20:28 pm
The Michaelhouse hooker had a terrible day – he could hardly find his jumpers!! They must have lost at least 7 balls due to his throw-ins and the rest (3 or 4) to competing of the forwards of the Lions. Lions deserved their win IMO
11 Jul 2012, 21:47 pm
I know this is weird but am glad the lions supporters have something to be happy about with all the chit that’s been flowing their way.
12 Jul 2012, 08:48 am
Ridiculous rule to have to give all players a start at some point during the tournament.
This isnt the U14f team playing here where the mums and dads let everyone have a go.
Fk sakes. The Sharks were half the team they were on Tuesday when they nearly gave the defending champs 50 points.
12 Jul 2012, 08:58 am
@John Galt(John Galt)-9:
An interesting rule that shouldn’t be allowed to catch on, pc klaptrap that ignores competition for spots within a squad let alone on the field.
12 Jul 2012, 09:02 am
@John Galt(John Galt)-9: you reckon the lions didn’t have to “rotate” too?
12 Jul 2012, 09:04 am
@John Galt(John Galt)-9: This is school boy rugby – surely this is to build spirit within the squad ?
12 Jul 2012, 09:08 am
@Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-10: wasn’t that rule also in effect at the JWC last year?
12 Jul 2012, 09:18 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-13:
Don’t know, just sounds a little daft to me.
12 Jul 2012, 10:07 am
The Natal hooker Hardman was pathetic. There are far better hookers in most Durban Schools and no wonder there are those who are disgusted with the rotten politics in Sharks rugby.
12 Jul 2012, 10:27 am
@stew(stew)-12:
Building spirit?
I can tell you a sure fire way of building spirit Stew.
Thats by winning games. With players who know what their job is and who realise where they stand in the pecking order.
This doesnt instill any form of spirit, only insecurity about where you stand in the team.
@Transformation(Transformation)-11:
The Lions would have no doubt been effected as well. As was evident by the quality of rugby on show.
12 Jul 2012, 10:29 am
The Natal hooker Hardman was pathetic to say the best about him. There are so many better hookers in most schools in Dbn and the rest of Natal. No wonder it is the common belief that politics is the most rife in Sharks rugby circles.
12 Jul 2012, 10:34 am
@John Galt(John Galt)-16: Look i agree with you but isnt this a bit serious viewpoint for schools rugby – i think this may be the reason to get all the boys a start at craven week ?
12 Jul 2012, 10:42 am
@stew(stew)-18:
As I said, this isnt an U14f tournament here.
From these games the SA schools side is chosen to go on for higher honours in Junior world cups etc. Players are also on show for contracts and higher honours in their respective provinces.
For most of these schoolboys its perhaps the most important and serious week of there fledgling careers.
I’d be seriously pissed off if I was a starting player and had to make way for a reserve player of lesser quality because of some stupid, idiotic rule.
12 Jul 2012, 10:45 am
@John Galt(John Galt)-19: point taken
12 Jul 2012, 11:29 am
@CharlesM(CharlesM)-7: I’ve been meaning to ask you, the WP Fullback Worral, is he related to the ex MP Dennis at all?
Wondering if you knew.
13 Jul 2012, 09:33 am
@4.storiejoernal
MY TOP 44 in 2012 to date
1. Pierre Schoeman (Affies)
2 Malcolm Marx (KES)
3 Dayan van der Westhuizen (Centurion)
4 Stefan Vermeulen (Monument)
5 Daniel Du Preez (Kearsney)
6 Ramone Samuels (Paul Roos)
7 Chris Massyn (Monument )
8 Steven Meiring (Affies)
9 JP Smit ( Border2011/ Bulls 2013)
10 Jako van der Walt (Monument)
11 Sergeal Petersen (Grey)
12 Rohan Jansen van Rensburg (Waterkloof)
13 Jurie Linde (Affies)
14 Bruce Arnott (Michaelhouse)
15 Jesse Kriel (Maritzburg College)
1 Dylan Smith (KES) / M Oosthuizen (Outeniqua)
2 Chad Solomons (Paul Roos) / François Steyn (Affies)
3 Clinton Theron (Florida) / Liam Hendricks (Paarl Boys’ High)
4 Sebastian Ferreira (PBH) / Janse van Rensburg (Affies)
5 JD Schikerling (Paarl Gim)
6 Thabo Mabuza (Centurion) / Carel Swart (Glenwood)
7 Jean-Luc Du Preez (Kears) / Jacques Vermeulen (Paarl Gim)
8 Aidon Davis (Daniël Pienaar) / Grant Hermanus (Paarl Gim)
9 Justin Phillips (Waterkloof) / Akhona Sihunu (Dale College)
10 Ernst Stapelberg (Fram) / J Stander ( Bor 2011/ Bulls 2013)
11 Corné Vermaak (Glenwood) / Dalen Goliath (Paul Roos)
12 W Gelant (Outeniqua) / Sibanye Bukani (Dale College)
13 Michael Mvelase (Michaelhouse) / P Jordaan (Grey)
14 Marcus Kleinbooi (Affies) / Selvyn Davids (Nico Malan)
15 Jaco Hayward (Centurion) / 15 Jason Worral (Paul Roos),
13 Jul 2012, 13:15 pm
The Bulls will just have too much firepower for the Lions in 2012.
The front row battle between. (Bulls) 1 Pierre Schoeman (Affies), 2François Steyn (Affies), 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen (Centurion) and (Lions) 1 Dylan Smith (KES), 2 Malcolm Marx (KES), 3 Clinton Theron (Florida) will be something out of this world. The team that wins this battle will go a far way in securing a win for there team. The lion’s front row is more mobile than that of the Bulls, but we will have to see who the best at winning scrums is.
Two very good locks will be going at each other hoping to secure the lineout’s for there teams. (Bulls) 4 Janse van Rensburg (Affies) and (Lions) 4 Stefan Vermeulen (Monument). The Lions lock has proven to be more physical than the Bulls during the week. It will cost a great afford by the Bulls locks to keep the Lions out of the game.
Loose forwards (Bulls) 6 Thabo Mabuza (Centurion) 8 Steven Meiring (Affies) and (Lions 7) Chris Massyn (Monument ) has caught the eye during the week. Cris Massyn being the most physical nr 7 during the week will have his hand full countering the pace of Thabo Mabuza at breakdown time.
If we look at the backline the Bulls will have too much class. Players like 9 Justin Phillips (Waterkloof) , 12 Rohan Jansen van Rensburg (Waterkloof) ,13 Jurie Linde (Affies) ,14 Marcus Kleinbooi (Affies) and 15 Jaco Hayward (Centurion) playing excellent rugby at Craven Week and if the bring the same game to the park on Saturday there will be no stopping the Bulls.
The only player standing in the way of the dangeriouse Bulls backline is 10 Jako van der Walt (Monument). If he manages to play a 100% traditional Blue Bulls game he might just allow his forwards into the game and keep the ball away from the dangerous Bulls backline.
The lions can only win on Saturday if the front row stands up to the Bulls, locks remain very physical and Jako van der Walt takes total control. If they don’t do this it will become a long day at the office and the Bulls Backs will dominate.
Looking forward to a great game of rugby.
13 Jul 2012, 14:30 pm
Wie bly en wie gly na CRAVEN WEEK
Westelike Provinsie hou of kry
Chad Solomon, Sebastian Ferreira, Ramone Samuels, Wesley Cupido, Wesley Adonis, Michael Hazner en Craig Corbett almal WP
Ryno Eksteen losskakel en Steven Meiring agsteman, Blou Bulle, P Jordaan Vrystaat
Blue Bulls hou of kry
Handré Pollard. Arno van Wyk, Justin Basson en Leighton van Wyk ,Corné Cooper, van die WP
Piet-Louw Strauss, Suidwestelike Distrikte voorryman,
Chris Massyn, leeus flank,
Wilco Louw, Boland vaskopstut ,
Kobus Wolmarans, Pumas skrumskakel,
Corniel Els die Vrystaat haker ,
JP Smit Border skramskakel, J Stander Border losskakel.
Carel Swart Flank KwaZulu-Natalse.
Christiaan Prinsloo (Port Natal), Nqoba Mxoli (Westville Boys’ High), Tiaan van Dijk (Nelspruit) en Bryce Nicholson-Deh (Michaelhouse)
Leeus, Jakó van der Walt, is van sy skolekontrak by die Blou Bulle vrygestel.
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