The Western Province XV overturned a half-time deficit to beat the Golden Lions on day four of the U18 Craven Week at Grey High in Gqeberha on Thursday.
The WP XV maintained their perfect record at the tournament after downing the Lions on Thursday, while the Griffons, Pumas and Blue Bulls bounced back from midweek defeats.
The Lions dominated the early exchanges of their match against the WP XV and raced to 14-0 lead. The boys from the Western Cape hit back shortly before half-time and then proceeded to run away with the game in the second stanza.
WP XV wing Thomas Saunders scored a hat-trick while flyhalf Travis Pheiffer slotted five conversions in a dramatic 43-33 win.
U18 CRAVEN WEEK DAY 3: WP fightback stuns Sharks
Earlier in the day, the Griffons scored five tries in their 29-12 win over the Valke, with wings Shovee de Villiers and Qlin Booyse both dotting down twice.
The Pumas dominated Border from start to finish, with No 8 Vian Louw scoring two of his team’s eight tries and flyhalf Ewan van der Merwe contributing 15 points.
U18 CRAVEN WEEK DAY 2: Lions claim bragging rights
The subsequent contest between the Bulls and Griquas was similarly one-sided, with fullback Drewyn Baron scoring a brace and flyhalf Ruan Fluks converting seven of his team’s nine tries.
The U18 Craven Week will conclude on Saturday, with all 16 teams in action.
U18 CRAVEN WEEK DAY 1: Free State, WP start strong
U18 Craven Week results (Day 4)
Griffons 29 Valke 12
Border 14 Pumas 54
Blue Bulls 59 Griquas 19
Golden Lions 33 Western Province XV 43
Photo: SA Rugby/Youthsports SA
