Local sport

IN PHOTOS: U18 Pumas conclude Craven Week with hard-fought victory over Border

The Pumas won two and lost one match at Hoërskool Middelburg.

The hosts of the 2025 FNB U18 Craven Week, the Pumas, won two and lost one match at Hoërskool Middelburg. The Craven Week was played from Monday, July 7 to Saturday, July 12.

The Pumas opened their campaign against the Limpopo Blue Bulls (LBB) on Monday. The LBB led 14-12 at half-time, but the Pumas had a strong second half and won 44-22.

Franko Rossouw (Hoërskool Secunda) scored two tries for the Pumas. The other try scorers were Siyanda Dennison (Ligbron Akademie), Katlego Baloyi (Hoërskool Middelburg; MHS), Jacques Greyling (MHS) and D’Angelo Robberts (Hoërskool Nelspruit; NHS).
Matthew Abbey (MHS) kicked four conversions and two penalty goals.

On the Wednesday, the Pumas were pitted against the Western Province XV. The Western Cape team were too strong for the Mpumalanga lads and won 45-14 after holding a 33-7 half-time lead.

ALSO READ: Damien Kühn retains his Mac Mac 200-mile crown

Franko and Siyanda scored tries for the Pumas, and Matthew kicked two conversions.

On Saturday, the Pumas and Border faced each other in their final match. The Pumas put on their best performance of the week and won 48-12, after leading 12-7 at half-time.

Kefilwe Phamotse (MHS) was in sublime form and scored three tries for the Pumas. Khensani Buthelezi (NHS), Siyanda and D’Angelo each claimed a try. Matthew converted all six tries and nailed two penalty goals.

The U18 Academy Week was held in conjunction with the Craven Week at MHS.

U18 Pumas Academy team results:
Monday

• Pumas 24 (24) – LBB Academy 27 (17)
Tries: Hanro Terblanche (HTS Middelburg; 3), Marius Vosloo (Hoërskool Secunda)
Conversions: John Duncan (NHS; 2)
Wednesday
• Pumas 17 (3) – Border 27 (10)
Tries: Siboniso Manglanghu / Mahlangu, Ethan Esterhuizen
Conversions: WJ Enslin (HTS Middelburg; 2)
Penalty: WJ
Friday
• Pumas 24 (12) – Griffons 29 (16)
Tries: Bismarck Jansen (Hoërskool Secunda), Hanro, Lesego Rakale (MHS), Dewald du Toit (MHS)
Conversions: Buhle Mphahlaza (Hoërskool Piet Retief), John.

 

At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!

Support local journalism

Add The Citizen as a preferred source to see more from Lowvelder in Google News and Top Stories.

markkinnear

Mark Kinnear is based in Mbombela and has 33 years’ experience in journalism, mainly on the sports beat. He has made his career in community media and has extreme passion for covering a wide variety of sports events.
Back to top button