Kwazulu-Natal scored a sensational last-gasp try to beat the Golden Lions 18-16 on the second day of the Coca-Cola Craven Week in Stellenbosch yesterday, and give themselves a shot at a spot in the week’s prestigious final game of the week.
The game was as tight as the scoreline suggests, and the closeness of the match-up did not allow for much sparkling rugby. The Lions led 13-10 at half-time, and 16-13 with normal time expired, but the young Sharks kept going to the very end, feeding off some wayward kicking by the Lions.
It was one such misdirected shot at touch, in the final seconds, which allowed KZN to launch a final counter-attack culminating in a 30m run by winger Xolisa Guma and the match-winning try.
The Sharks were good value for their win. They dominated at the breakdown, and their driving maul was effective. The Lions, on the other hand, were penalised for obstruction several times when they tried to maul the ball up. They were also penalised regularly at scrum time, and, in truth, did not win enough quality possession to be victorious.
KZN scored two tries, the first from a maul off a line-out, finished off by Mulalo Sadiki, and the second that match-winning touchdown by Guma. Bader Pretorius kicked two penalties.
The Lions got a try by hooker Tiaan van der Merwe, with Wandile Simelane adding three penalties and a conversion.
The most impressive side on view on day two was undoubtedly Eastern Province. They beat SWD 41-31 in what was the best game of the day. The sides scored four tries each, with EP’s SA Schools flyhalf, Curwin Bosch, making the difference with his goalkicking. He contributed 21 points with the boot, including two drop goals, and was at the heart of most of what his side did in the game.
The likely upshot is that EP will meet KwaZulu-Natal tomorrow, with the winners there meeting the winners of today’s Western Province-Griffons clash in the main game on Saturday
Yesterday was a good day for the two Griquas sides. The Griquas Country team, chosen from the North West region, beat Zimbabwe 31-24, while the main Griquas team beat the Leopards 28-17, drawing clear in the closing stages of what was a close-fought affair.
In today’s late game the hosts, Western Province meet Monday’s giantkillers, the Griffons. The Northern Free State side surprised everyone by comfortably beating their neighbours, Free State, on the opening day, and should they pull off a second shock win today, they would virtually be assured of a place in Saturday’s main game. One cannot see that happening, however, and Province must be favourites to play in the week’s showpiece fixture.
Today’s other big game is between Boland and Border, two winners from Monday.