Lions fightback floors Bulls in thrilling Grant Khomo Week finale
Issued by SA Rugby Communications
July 3, 2026
Kearsney College - 03 July, 2026: The Golden Lions overcame a 14-point deficit to beat the Blue Bulls in the final match of the FNB U16 Grant Khomo Week staged at Kearsney College in Botha's Hill near Durban on Friday (Photographer: Gerhard Duraan/gdphoto)
The three-day tournament came to a powerful climax on Friday, with the Lions, Leopards and Sharks XV winning their matches to finish the competition with a perfect record.
Meanwhile, the Valke, Border Country Districts, Griquas, Free State, South Western Districts and Western Province all recorded victories on Friday to end their campaigns on a high.
The Jukskei derby staged at the end of the day lived up to the hype, with the Lions eventually winning 33-21.
The Bulls were in control for much of the first half, and went to the break with a commanding 21-7 lead. The game opened up after half-time, however, and the Lions - spearheaded by flyhalf Cian Jonck - scored four tries and 26 unanswered points to complete a stunning comeback victory.
Earlier in the day, Zimbabwe inside centre Riley Ettlin kicked a late penalty goal to secure a 21-21 draw with Namibia in an all-African affair, while Valke flyhalf Bokang Mabina carried his impressive tournament form through to the round-three clash against Iqhawe, scoring 20 points in his team's 52-12 victory.
Border Country Districts flyhalf Patrick Junior Theron scored a first-half hat-trick in his side's 55-9 win over Kenya, and Griquas fullback Lee-Marquin Cronjé contributed 20 points in the 55-19 win over the Griffons.
Kearsney College - 29 June, 2026: Leopards in action against the Valke on Day 1 of the 2026 FNB U16 Grant Khomo Week (Photographer: Gerhard Duraan/gdphoto)
Free State scored nine tries in their 57-13 demolition of Border, while Eastern Province beat the Blue Bulls XV 46-33.
The Leopards downed the Pumas 28-12, and SWD proved too strong for the Limpopo Blue Bulls in their 24-15 victory.
The coastal clash between the hosts and Western Province was played at a lively pace, with WP holding off a late Sharks fightback to win 29-24.
The FNB Youth Weeks programme continues at Kearsney College on Saturday, with the third and final round of the FNB U16 Girls Week.
The Limpopo Blue Bulls will face the Pumas in the first match of the day at 08h30, while Western Province and the Blue Bulls will meet in the final game at 12h15.
Kearsney College - 29 June, 2026: The Sharks XV finished the tournament with a perfect record (Photographer: Gerhard Duraan/gdphoto)
