Free State Cheetahs and Western Province will once again play compete in the finale at the Coca-Cola Under-18 Craven Week following their 30-20 victory over Kwazulu Natal in Welkom on Thursday.

WP defeated the Bloemfontein side 19-17 during last year’s Coca-Cola Under-18 Craven Week in East London.

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The Free Staters, who held a 15-13 half time score, ran in four tries in their match against the Durban side thanks to the efforts of Anrich Bitzi who scored a brace, Marthinus Keyser and Gerhardus Olivier. Flyhalf Johan Goosen who has been one of the outstanding players of the Week kicked two conversions and two penalties.

Kwazulu Natal only managed to score two tries which were added by centre Pat Howard and Keelin Bastew. Flyhalf Duncan Campbell kicked two conversions and two penalties.

In the earlier matches on day four, centre Brendon Coetzer kicked a last minute penalty to hand the Griquas Country Districts (CD) a 27-25 victory over the Platinum Leopards in Welkom on Thursday.

Seven tries were scored in this game where both teams looked to play some entertaining rugby in chilly conditions at the North West Stadium.

Fullback Eswyn Heyns scored a brace while scrumhalf Adolf du Plessis added the Griquas CDs’ third try. Winger Johan Myburgh kicked three conversions and one penalty.

Flanker Franco Marais, No 8 Barend Swanepoel, flanker Casper Swanepoel and hooker Ando Booyens all added tries for the Platinum Leopards. Flyhalf Divan Visser kicked one conversion and one penalty.

The SWD Eagles also easily defeated Zimbabwe 21-3 in the second match of day four at the Coca-Cola Under-18 Craven Week.

The George side ran in three tries which were scored by Percival Williams, Charlton Afrika and Carl Bowers. Flyhalf Hendri Rest kicked two penalties. Zimbabwe’s only points came via a penalty kick by flyhalf Corey Adams.

The Valke recorded their first win at the 2010 Coca-Cola Under-18 Craven Week following their 26-22 victory over the Border Bulldogs.

Both sides were positive from the kickoff and entertained the crowd at the North West Stadium by playing attacking rugby. Six tries were scored in this match. The Valke scored two tries which were added by No 8 Ruaan Lerm and centre Jeandre Kotze.

Fullback Ruaan Barnard converted both tries and also kicked four penalties.

Winger Konke Maholwana scored a brace of tries while Thabo Sisusa and former SA Schools centre Andile Jho added the other five-pointers for the Bulldogs. Fullback Jason Germishuys kicked one conversion.

Coca-Cola Under-18 Craven Week results and scorers for Day Four: – Tries: Anrich Bitzi (2), Marthinus Keyser, Gerhardus Olivier; Conversions: Johan Goosen (2); Penalties: Goosen (2).
Kwazulu Natal – Tries: Pat Howard, Keelin Bastew; Conversions: Duncan Campbell (2); Penalties: Campbell (2).

Free State 30 Kwazulu Natal 20
Free State

Pumas 38 Griquas 7
Pumas – Tries: Christoph Gouws, Jean-Pierre du Plessis, Marthinus van der Merwe, Mcebo Khumalo, Thembinkosi Nkosi; Conversions: Clinton Swart, Van der Merwe; Penalties: Swart (2), Van der Merwe.
Griquas – Try: Berne Bergh; Conversion: Jacobus du Plessis.

SWD Eagles 21 Zimbabwe 3
SWD Eagles – Try: Percival Williams, Charlton Afrika, Carl Bowers; Penalties: Hendri Rest (2).
Zimbabwe – Penalty: Corey Adam van Rensburg

Griquas CD 27 Platinum Leopards 25
Griquas CD – Tries: Eswyn Heyns (2), Adolf du Plessis; Conversions: Johan Myburgh (3); Penalties: Johan Myburgh, Brendon Coetzer.
Platinum Leopards – Tries: Franco Marais, Casper Badenhorst, Barend Swanepoel, Ando Booyens; Conversion: Divan Visser; Penalty: Visser.

Border Bulldogs 22 Valke 26
Border Bulldogs – Tries: Konke Maholwana (2), Thabo Sisusa, Andile Jho; Conversions: Jason Germishuys. Valke – Tries: Ruaan Lerm, Jeandre Kotze; Conversions: Ruan Barnard (2); Penalties: Barnard (4).

North West Stadium:

09h05 Griquas v Griffons
10h25 Lions v Pumas
11h45 Boland v Kwazulu Natal
13h15 Free State Cheetahs v Western Province

“B” Field Fixtures for Saturday’s Coca-Cola Under-18 Craven Week action:

09h00 Namibia v Zimbabwe
10h20 Blue Bulls v Valke
11h40 EP CD v Griquas CD

Tegnies Hoerskool fixtures for Saturday’s Coca-Cola Under-18 Craven Week action:

09h00 Border CD v Leopards
10h20 Eastern Province v Border
11h40 SWD Eagles v Limpopo Blue Bulls