Boland lay down early marker at Grant Khomo Week

Boland edged the Golden Lions while Western Province, the Blue Bulls and Sharks claimed valuable wins on day one of the Grant Khomo Week at Grey High School in Gqeberha.

The opening day of the U16 tournament witnessed a number of close contests, with the finish to the battle between Boland and the Lions proving especially dramatic.

Boland made a statement when they outscored the Lions 15-3 in the first half.

While the Lions clawed their way back in the second half, Boland flyhalf Jano van Deventer slotted two late penalties to secure a valuable 21-16 result.

Earlier in the day, the Pumas scored five tries in their 39-14 victory over Griquas, with centre Siboniso Mahlangu touching down twice.

The Griffons edged the Valke 17-15 in a tight contest, while the Sharks overturned a 10-point halftime deficit to beat Free State 26-20.

The Blue Bulls led 20-10 at the break in their battle against the Western Province XV.

Two clutch kicks by flyhalf Vihan Pretorius ensured that they held on for a 26-24 win.

In the last two matches of the day, Western Province scored five tries to beat hosts Eastern Province 38-25, while the Leopards crossed the line six times in their 40-7 win over the Limpopo Blue Bulls.

The Grant Khomo Week will continue on Wednesday, with Pumas tackling the Free State at 09h20 on the Kolisi Field.

DAY 1 RESULTS

Pumas 39 (14), Griquas 14 (7)

Free State XV 29 (5), Border Country Districts 7 (7)

Golden Lions 16 (3), Boland 21 (15)

Valke 15 (7), Griffons 17 (7)

Free State 20 (17), Sharks 26 (7)

Border 26 (12), Zimbabwe 20 (8)

Blue Bulls 26 (20), Western Province XV 24 (10)

South Western Districts 26 (11), Namibia 6 (6)

Western Province 38 (14), Eastern Province 25 (15)

Leopards 40 (26), Limpopo Blue Bulls 7 (7)

WEDNESDAY'S FIXTURES (19 June):

Kolisi Field:

09h20: Pumas v Free State

10h45: Border v Griffons

12h00: SWD v WP XV

13h15: Blue Bulls v Boland

14h30: WP v Sharks

Pollock Field:

09h20: Namibia v Border Country Districts

10h45: Zimbabwe v Limpopo Blue Bulls

12h00: Valke v Free State XV

13h15: Leopards v Griquas

14h30: Golden Lions v Eastern Province