6 July 2023
After dealing with the Western Province XV in their opening Craven Week match, the Sharks took on their opponent’s senior side, Western Province, in their second outing. No doubt, a place in the Craven Week final was on the line after both scored impressive victories first time out.
In 2022, the same sides met, also in their second matches of the tournament. In a classic clash, Western Province came away with a 29-24 win. They went on to play in the final and won it for a third time in succession, defeating the Blue Bulls 29-21.
Healthy half-time lead
On Wednesday, in George, Province managed to build up a healthy half-time lead, 27-14, which they rode to a 35-24 victory as the Sharks edged the second half 10-8.
The Capetonians crossed for four tries from Haashim Pead, Jameel de Jongh, Justin Amos and Gilmerno Mentoe, and Yaqeen Ahmed added three conversions and a penalty. The Sharks replied with tries by Liam Terblanche, Phiwayinkosi Kubheka and Maurice Willemse, with Chris Horak converting all three and adding a penalty.
Willemse (in photo), from DHS, has been an interesting story for the Sharks. He was a late addition to the side due to injury. Then, when introduced to the field during a warm-up game against the Blue Bulls, he showed his speed and finishing prowess to grab a quickfire hat-trick. His decisiveness and pace with ball in hand stood out. Now, he’s on the board at the Craven Week.
Unfortunately for the Sharks, after going three for three in their opening matches at the Craven Week and Academy Week, they went zero for three the next time out. On a positive note, that’s because they were pitted against some of the toughest traditional powers, which signalled the high esteem in which schoolboy rugby in KZN is held.
Potential finalists
It appears as if Western Province will be in the main game once more, but who might oppose them? Eastern Province have certainly staked their claim. They beat Free State 26-23 in their first game and then comfortably handled Boland 40-26 on Wednesday.
The Blue Bulls and Lions will be in the running, too. In their first outing, the Blue Bulls thumped Border 40-5, while the Lions overran the Pumas 55-29.
The Sharks have won the main game only once in their history. Interestingly, that occurred in the same year they won the Currie Cup for the first time, 1990. On both occasions, Northern Transvaal (now the Blue Bulls) were the losers. The Craven Week team won 18-8 and the Currie Cup side triumphed 18-12.
Craven Week Results
South Western Districts 22-19 Valke
Free State 54-14 Western Province XV
Eastern Province 40-26 Boland
Western Province 35-24 The Sharks
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