Craven Week 2025 Day 1 Report: Thrillers and Dominance at Middelburg
- House Rugga
- Jul 7
- 6 min read
The 2025 U18 Craven Week kicked off Monday, 7 July at Hoërskool Middelburg in Mpumalanga, marking the 60th edition of South Africa’s premier schoolboy rugby festival. Defending champions Western Province XV (WP XV) began as heavy favorites, riding a 15-match unbeaten streak at Craven Week. And they did not disappoint – the Cape side ran rampant in their opener, ending Day 1 on a high note for the hosts. Across all four fixtures on
Monday, rugby fans saw a blend of expected blowouts and nail-biters. In addition to WP XV’s 52-6 rout of the Griffons, two matches went down to the wire: the Golden Lions edged the Blue Bulls 36-35, and South Western Districts (SWD) overturned Free State 35-34. The Pumas also secured a comprehensive win over the Limpopo Blue Bulls. These results set an exciting tone for the tournament, with attacking rugby on display and fine margins deciding several games.
Match Summaries
Western Province XV 52–6 Griffons
Western Province XV made quick work of the Griffons. The defending champions blew the game open early – scoring four tries to take a 24-3 halftime lead – and never looked back. In total, WP XV crossed for eight tries en route to a 52-6 victory. Tristan Joubert and Liam de Villiers were among the try-scorers, and flyhalf Iwan Jordaan kicked all six conversions. The Griffons’ only points came from veteran flyhalf Olereko Sebatana, who slotted two second-half penalties. This dominant offensive display confirmed that Western Province’s depth and execution remain elite – a fitting start given their championship pedigree.
South Western Districts 35–34 Free State
In a wild contest, SWD snatched victory from Free State in the final minutes. The Cheetahs led 12-10 at halftime after a late first-half try, and extended their lead to 27-16 early in the second half. But with about 15 minutes remaining, Free State’s discipline wavered: two yellow cards in quick succession allowed SWD to surge. SWD scored two quick second-half tries and went ahead 35-27 with eight minutes to play, completing a 19-point comeback. Free State managed one late try, but fell just short at 34. In all, SWD scored five tries (including efforts from Anrich Scheffer, Christian Vorster, Tyrese Plaatjies, Kai Pratt and fullback Jade Peterson) and added two penalties from flyhalf Virgil Pockpas. Free State’s points came from tries by Darius Erwee, Xander Smit, Claude Steyn, Lamla Mgedezi and O’Ryan Kleyn, with Erwee converting two. Ultimately, SWD’s relentless attack and capitalizing on Free State’s errors proved decisive – a dramatic late rally handed them a 35-34 win.
Golden Lions 36–35 Blue Bulls
The Golden Lions and Blue Bulls played out a classic back-and-forth thriller. The Bulls struck first, racing to a 10-0 lead after 20 minutes with two early tries. The Lions battled back, however, scoring twice to lead 14-13. In the second half the Lions pulled ahead 26-20, and then 33-23 after their fifth try. At that point victory seemed assured, but a Lions yellow card swung momentum. The Bulls scored two tries in quick succession to surge ahead 35-33. In the final minute with time almost up, Lions flyhalf Jeandre Uithaler calmly slotted the winning conversion to make it 36-35. In the end the Lions touched down five times (two by winger Shaye Lourens), and Uithaler kicked four conversions (plus one penalty). The Bulls also scored five tries (through Okuhle Hini, Drewyn Baron, Jeffrey Singo, Zirk Meyer and Thabiso Simelane), but it wasn’t enough on the day. The game was defined by that final kick – a storybook Lions finish – and showed the fine margins at play on Day 1.
Pumas 37–17 Limpopo Blue Bulls
In the late-afternoon fixture, the Hollywood Foundation Pumas overcame the Limpopo Blue Bulls. The Bulls actually led 14-12 at halftime after an end-to-end first half of two tries apiece. But the Pumas dominated after the break, scoring three unanswered tries to pull away. By the 20-minute mark of the second half they were up 37-17. (No further scoring is recorded after that, indicating the Pumas held on for the 37-17 win.) This performance illustrated the Pumas’ ability to grow into games – building on their fitness and depth as the match went on. It also handed Limpopo their first loss of the week, despite their strong first-half effort.
Key Moments and Standouts
Several turning points shaped Day 1:
Lions’ Last-Minute Conversion: The Golden Lions’ 36-35 win hinged on Jeandre Uithaler’s pressure conversion with time expiring. That kick capped a seesaw battle and exemplified the Lions’ composure under pressure. Uithaler finished the day 4-for-4 with the boot.
SWD’s Comeback Sparked by Cards: Free State’s two yellow cards in the final quarter were perhaps the decisive swing in the 35-34 SWD win. SWD capitalized immediately, scoring twice to steal the lead. Discipline – or the lack thereof – proved a critical factor.
WP’s First-Half Onslaught: Western Province XV effectively decided their game by half-time. Four first-half tries left the Griffons flat-footed. The first-half blitz (24-3 at the break) meant WP could cruise home. This dominant opening stanza underscored why WP are perennial title threats.
Pumas’ Second-Half Surge: The Pumas were level at 17-17 early in the second half, but their three quick tries set them up for a 37-17 win. The shift in momentum after halftime was pivotal, as the Pumas seized control and never looked back.
Standout players from Day 1 included:
Shaye Lourens (Golden Lions): The Lions winger scored two tries in that final fixture, making him the tournament’s first brace-scorer.
Jeffrey Singo (Blue Bulls): Singo added a try for the Bulls in the Lions game, showing the Bulls’ early promise.
Liam de Villiers and Tristan Joubert (WP XV): Both scored tries for WP. Joubert’s burst and de Villiers’ running threat highlighted WP’s attacking balance.
Iwan Jordaan (WP XV): The WP fullback landed all six conversions in his side’s rout, finishing with 12 points.
Darius Erwee (Free State): Erwee touched down a try and kicked two conversions for Free State, keeping the score respectable late on.
Jade Peterson (SWD): SWD’s fullback Peterson was among the five try-scorers that overturned Free State, showcasing the depth of talent in the SWD backline.
Each match had multiple contributors, but these players were repeatedly mentioned in the reports for their impact.
Team Analysis and TrendsMonday’s results underscored several broader themes:
WP XV’s Unstoppable Form: The defending champions showed no signs of slowing. Their eight-try, 52-6 demolition of the Griffons was emphatic evidence that WP remain the team to beat. Given their 15-game Craven Week win streak, they will enter Tuesday’s matches as clear favorites. Their pack control and clinical finishing set a benchmark for others.
Pressure on Big Unions: In contrast, traditional powerhouses like the Blue Bulls and Free State endured headaches. The Bulls let a strong start slip at the death against the Lions, while Free State’s lapse in discipline proved costly. Coaches of those unions will spend tonight drilling defense and composure. The patterns suggest that even the top schools can be vulnerable if opponents stay patient and capitalize on mistakes.
Smaller Unions Rising: The performances of SWD, the Lions and Pumas indicate growing parity. SWD’s punch-through finishes and the Lions’ last-minute heroics showed these sides are well-prepared. Both teams executed attacking game plans effectively under pressure. This trend of “giant-killing” adds intrigue to the week.
Open, High-Scoring Rugby: All four games on Day 1 were relatively high-scoring (the lowest total was 52 between WP and the Griffons). Coaches will note that attacking play was rewarded, but also that defensive organization will be key in close contests. Conceding early or allowing easy scores (as seen with penalties or cards) directly cost games.
Looking ahead, discipline and stamina will likely be decisive factors. For now, Western Province’s early statement win and the number of one-point margins suggest a Craven Week where every score and every tackle matters.
Upcoming Fixtures – Day 2 Preview
The action resumes Tuesday, 8 July, with four first-round fixtures confirmed:
10:00 – Leopards vs Valke
11:30 – Border vs Griquas
13:00 – Sharks High vs Eastern Province
14:30 – Western Province XV vs Boland
In the headline late match, WP XV (basking in Monday’s big win) faces neighboring Boland – a local derby that promises intensity on tight Lusat fields. Sharks High and Eastern Province will each seek to rebound after day one; both have attacking firepower to watch. Border vs Griquas could be a close affair as the Eastern Cape rivals fight for momentum.
Overall, Day 1 has set the stage for an unpredictable week, and Tuesday’s games will be crucial in shaping which teams start to pull ahead. Expect defensive solidity and smarter kick-chase given Monday’s lessons, and keep an eye on how the early leaders (WP XV, Golden Lions, SWD) build on their starts. Good rugby and more drama are on the horizon as Craven Week rolls on.
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