Western Province schoolboy rugby emphatically confirmed its status as South Africa’s elite force on day four of the FNB Craven Week, with Western Province XV outlasting a highly rated Lions side 43-33 in a thriller that had the crowd on their feet. This was a statement victory over the same Lions outfit that had downed the Bulls.
The final match of day four, kicking off at 15:15, delivered everything promised and more, lead changes, brilliant individual tries, tactical brilliance and unrelenting intensity. When the final whistle confirmed WP XV’s victory, they joined Western Province and Free State as the only undefeated teams remaining at the tournament. The message was clear, if you want to be crowned champions, you’ll have to go through the Cape.
Lions roar out of the blocks
The Lions wasted no time announcing their intentions, keeping the ball superbly in the eighth minute and showing patience in the 22. Carry after carry, their big men crashed into the WP XV defence before Diandro Botha finally smashed over the line to score. At 7-0, they had drawn first blood and laid down the gauntlet.
The 16th minute saw the Lions extend their advantage through a moment of brilliance. Jaydon Viljoen fielded a kick and played Armand van Eck into a half space that he smashed open to score, pushing the lead to 14-0. The Cape side were on the ropes, facing a deficit that threatened to derail their unbeaten run.
WP XV strike back with quality
The response came in the 20th minute through a try that showcased everything WP XV are about. Luca Orgill got the ball out wide, running hard to draw a defender before releasing Thomas Saunders, who has pace to burn. The finish was clinical, and at 14-7, WP XV were back in the contest.
Eleven minutes later, the Lions delivered another hammer blow. Ruan Genis ran a beautiful overs line that Viljoen spotted immediately, putting his winger into space. The fast, powerful finisher proved difficult to stop, crossing to make it 19-7. The Lions looked in control heading into the sheds.
Travis Pheiffer stepped up to kick a penalty in the 34th minute, cutting the deficit to 19-10 at halftime. The Cape side had kept themselves within striking distance, but they needed to find another gear in the second stanza.
Second half intensity shifts momentum
WP XV emerged from the sheds firing on all cylinders.It was evident they wanted to lift the tempo for this half. After a few good phases, a clever change of direction opened space for flanker Luhan Hattingh to dive over in the 37th minute. At 19-17, they had narrowed the gap to two points, and the Lions were under serious pressure.
Viljoen had a go at the posts from long range in the 44th minute but missed, keeping the score tight. Three minutes later, the Lions showed their own quality, playing from a well-defended maul through multiple phases before dotting down to extend the lead to 26-17.
Saunders produces moments of magic
The 52nd minute proved decisive. A Lions kick was recovered brilliantly by Liam de Villiers, who put a kick through of his own. WP XV gathered it and immediately spread it wide to Saunders, who went in under the posts. At 26-22, the comeback was well and truly on.
Four minutes later, Tidimalo Moeketsane straightened the line beautifully to get in behind the WP XV defence, scoring under the posts to push the Lions ahead 33-22.
Dramatic finish sees WP XV prevail
The 61st minute saw more fancy handling from Saunders send Orgill away to score, narrowing the gap to 33-29. The Lions received a yellow card in the 63rd minute, and WP XV sensed blood.
Max Malan powered over from a quick tap in the 64th minute, proving unstoppable from close range. At 36-33, WP XV had grabbed the lead with just minutes remaining. The tension was palpable.
The final say belonged to Saunders in the 65th minute. When a Lions offload went wayward, he pounced to complete his hat-trick and seal a 43-33 victory that will live long in the memory.
