Free State and the Pumas remain unbeaten after claiming important wins on the fourth day of the U18 Stadio Craven Week at Hoërskool Monument in Krugersdorp.
Free State and the Pumas – as well as Boland and Western Province – have racked up two wins in as many matches and will take some momentum into the final round of fixtures this Saturday.
The Pumas put 60 points past the Limpopo Blue Bulls on Tuesday and were just as ruthless in the clash with the Griffons on Thursday, where they scored nine tries in a 57-26 victory.
Lock Franko Rossouw touched down twice, while flyhalf Matthew Abbey, the tournament’s leading scorer, contributed 17 points.
After beating the Griffons 57-36 in the first round, Free State had reason to feel confident ahead of their showdown with the Bulls on Thursday afternoon.
The central union scored three tries in the first half, before the Bulls clawed their way back into the game.
However, late touchdowns by fullback Heinz Stockenstrom – who finished with a brace – and No 8 Liam Santos sealed a 34-27 win for Free State.
Earlier in the day, Griquas and the Limpopo Blue Bulls showed their attacking intent in a high-scoring contest that yielded 15 tries overall.
The northerners led 18-12 at halftime, before Griquas lifted their performance in the second stanza and claimed a 53-37 victory.
The Golden Lions rebounded from a narrow loss to the Bulls to edge the WP XV 37-33 on Thursday.
They outscored the Cape side by six tries to five, with replacement backs Cheswill Jooste and Michael Benzien scoring two apiece.
The last day of the tournament on Saturday will start with a clash between the Leopards and Limpopo Blue Bulls at 8am
WP will face Free State in the final match of the competition at 1:15pm.
DAY 4 RESULTS
Griquas 53 (12), Limpopo Blue Bulls 37 (18)
Griffons 26 (7), v Pumas 57 (38)
Golden Lions 37 (20), WP XV 33 (12)
Blue Bulls 27 (8), Free State 34 (17)
FIXTURES 29 JUNE
8am: Leopards v Limpopo Blue Bulls, B Field
9:15am: WP XV v Pumas, A Field
9:20am: Valke v Griquas, B Field
10:35am: Lions v SWD, A Field
10:40am: Border v Griffons, B Field
11:55am: Bulls v Sharks, A Field
12pm: Boland v EP, B Field
1:15pm: WP v Free State, A Field