Eastern Province and Western Province claimed big wins in the first round of the U18 Girls Week staged at Jeppe High School in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

The girls from the Eastern Cape put down an early marker when they scored 11 tries in a 67-12 win against Griquas. No 8 Sinoxolo Soga scored a hat-trick, while scrumhalf Sinazo Venge and replacement back Elimayo Kwinana bagged a brace apiece.

Later in the day, WP scored eight tries in their 50-0 win against the Golden Lions. Bronishia Hess (hooker) crossed the line three times, while centre Siyonela Macamba scored two tries.

Meanwhile, the Griffons cruised to a 33-0 win over the Leopards, the Pumas scored four tries in their 29-16 victory over Free State and Border beat the Blue Bulls by 24-5.

U18 results (Tuesday 11 July):
South Western Districts 31 (17) Sharks 5 (5)
Border 24 (14) Blue Bulls 5 (5)
Limpopo Blue Bulls 27 (17) Boland 10 (5)
Free State 16 (6) Pumas 29 (15)
Griffons 33 (26) Leopards 0 (0)
Eastern Province 67 (27) Griquas 12 (12)
Golden Lions 0 (0) Western Province 50 (36)
Golden Lions Invitational 5 (0) Valke 5 (0)

The U16 tournament was scheduled to start on Monday, but due to the adverse weather conditions in Johannesburg, SA Rugby and the Local Organising Committee decided to postpone the fixtures scheduled for Monday to Wednesday. The decision was made to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of the participating players following snowfall in the area.

The U16 tournament will kick off on Wednesday morning at 10h00, with Griquas tackling the Sharks on the A Field at Jeppe High School, and Border facing the Blue Bulls on the B field.

U16 fixtures (Wednesday 12 July):
10h00: Griquas v Sharks, A Field
10h00: Border v Blue Bulls, B Field
11h10: Limpopo Blue Bulls v Eastern Province, A Field
11h10: Free State v Leopards, B Field
12h20: Griffons v Pumas, A Field
12h20: Boland v Border Country Districts, B Field
14h10: Western Province v Golden Lions, A Field
14h10: South Western Districts v Valke, B Field

Issued by SA Rugby Communications