Day two of 2025 FNB Grant Khomo Week delivers surprise and tries by the dozen

There were a few more runaway victories, but also at least one big surprise during the action on day two of the 2025 FNB Grant Khomo Week, which is being held at St Albans College in Pretoria this year.

July 3, 2025

Koos Venter 2 minutes read

Michael Bhuda, right wing of the Blue Bulls, tries to beat an opponent during Wednesday's match against the Sharks at the 2025 FNB Grant Khomo Week in Pretoria. Photo: Louise Esterhuizen

It’s still freezing cold in Pretoria and all day yesterday the sun was a little shy to stick its head out properly in the east of the city, but once again these weather conditions didn’t stop the cream of the country’s U16 rugby talent from playing some great rugby on day two at the 2025 FNB Grant Khomo Week.

With SANRAL in their infinite wisdom deciding to carry out roadworks on the N1 between Lynnwood Drive and Atterbury Road in Pretoria during office hours yesterday, there were many frustrated motorists who would have given anything to find a gap and escape the chaos.

Although they were not destined to do so, things were different just a few kilometres east at the St Albans College grounds in Lynnwood Ridge. There, spectators were treated to a great time watching the country’s best U16 rugby players find gaps on the rugby field.

A few runaway victories may not have provided the necessary intensity expected at a tournament of this stature, but some spectacular tries produced by exciting running rugby were a cure for the cold for many spectators.

Speaking of runaway victories, it started early during the first game of the day on St Albans’ Baloyi A-field, when the Limpopo Blue Bulls scored ten unanswered tries to overwhelm Border Country Districts 60-0.

The Blue Bulls’ outside centre, Dandré Brink, was once again one of his team’s standouts against the Sharks in Wednesday’s match at the 2025 FNB Grant Khomo Week in Pretoria. Photo: Louise Esterhuizen

Sharks flyhalf Daniel Miskey was a true general in the KwaZulu-Natal team’s match against the Blue Bulls during day two of the 2025 FNB Grant Khomo Week in Pretoria. Photo: Louise Esterhuizen

Sharks inside centre Elgenio Oerson is tackled by Blue Bulls fullback Kyle van Staden in Wednesday’s match at St Albans College in Pretoria during the 2025 FNB Grant Khomo Week. Photo: Louise Esterhuizen

The Blue Bulls’ lock, Keegan Fourie, on the attack against the Sharks in Wednesday’s match at St Albans College in Pretoria during the 2025 FNB Grant Khomo Week. Photo: Louise Esterhuizen

Blue Bulls fullback Kyle van Staden dives over the goal line for his try against the Sharks on day two of the 2025 FNB Grant Khomo Week, which is being hosted at St Albans College in Pretoria. Photo: Louise Esterhuizen

The Blue Bulls’ tighthead prop, Lian de Jager, tries to protect possession during Wednesday’s match against the Sharks at the 2025 FNB Grant Khomo Week in Pretoria. Photo: Louise Esterhuizen

Bulls hooker Shawn Moalelo (left) and loose-head prop Ziaan Slabbert prepare to scrum against the Sharks during Wednesday’s match at the 2025 FNB Grant Khomo Week. Photo: Louise Esterhuizen

Sharks centre Sterlin Padi tries to beat two Blue Bulls defenders during Wednesday’s match on day two of the 2025 FNB Grant Khomo Week. Photo: Louise Esterhuizen

In the second match on this field, Namibia achieved their first victory of the tournament by beating the Iqhawe XV 43-26.

Other results at the Baloyi A-field were as follows:

Leopards 39; Valke 15
Griquas 40; Zimbabwe 25
EP 27; Pumas 15

On the Moshate field, the day’s action also began with a whitewash, when the Lions scored seven tries to thrash Boland 43-0.

However, it was in the third match on this field that the big surprise of day two occurred when the WP XV – in fact the WP’s second team – beat the Free State quite easily 37-18.

In probably the most exciting and one of the toughest matches of the tournament so far, the Blue Bulls and the Sharks played to a 29-all draw.

Local fans probably thought the young Bulls were on their way to their second win at the tournament, but two tries late in the game by Sharks wingers, Lisa Sijadu and Mojalefa Mogale, enabled the boys from KwaZulu-Natal to pull off a draw.

The Sharks could have even won, but flyhalf Daniel Miskey, who otherwise played brilliantly, missed the final goal kick after Mogale’s try.

However, the drama was not over yet, because the Blue Bulls had a chance to seal the victory in the dying moments of the match, but flyhalf Reuben Smith unfortunately failed with a fairly easy penalty.

Other results on the Moshate field were as follows:

Griffons 38, Border 17
WP 29; SWD 21

Meanwhile, both WP teams, as well as the Sharks and the home team, the Blue Bulls, have been rewarded for their performances and unbeaten record since Monday when the fixtures for the final day’s action were made. Matches will also be played on the school’s third rugby field, the Baloyi B-field, on Friday to ensure that the tournament can be concluded shortly after lunch.