2017 Rugby Challenge

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2017 Rugby Challenge
CountriesSouth Africa
Namibia
Date22 April – 16 July 2017
ChampionsWestern Province (1st title)
Runners-upGriquas
Matches played67
Tries scored617
(average 9.2 per match)
Top point scorerShaun Reynolds, Golden Lions XV (138)
Top try scorerEnver Brandt, Griquas and
Frank Herne, Pumas (9)
2018 →
South African Rugby 2017

The 2017 Rugby Challenge – known as the SuperSport Rugby Challenge for sponsorship reasons – is the first edition of the Rugby Challenge, the secondary domestic rugby union competition in South Africa, and the long-term successor of the Vodacom Cup competition. The competition was organised by the South African Rugby Union and was played between 22 April and 16 July 2017. The competition featured all fourteen South African provincial unions plus Namibian side the Welwitschias.

The competition was won by Western Province, after they beat Griquas 28–19 in the final in Cape Town. Golden Lions XV fly-half Shaun Reynolds was the top scorer in the competition with 138 points, while Griquas wing Enver Brandt and Pumas hooker Frank Herne were the joint top try scorer with 9 tries. Danie Debeer was the man of the match.

Competition rules and information

[edit]

The fifteen teams in the competition were divided into three regional pools of five teams. Each team will play home and away matches against the other four teams in their pool over a ten-week period. The top two teams from each pool, along with the two third-placed teams with the best record will progress to the play-offs, which will consist of quarter finals, a semi-final and a final.[1]

Teams

[edit]

The teams that will compete in the 2017 Rugby Challenge are:

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Location of teams in the 2017 Rugby Challenge
Northern Section
Central Section
Southern Section
Northern Section
Team Sponsored Name
Blue Bulls XV Vodacom Blue Bulls XV
Falcons Hino Valke
Golden Lions XV Xerox Golden Lions XV
Pumas Steval Pumas
Welwitschias Windhoek Draught Welwitschias
Central Section
Team Sponsored Name
Free State XV Toyota Free State XV
Griffons Down Touch Griffons
Griquas Tafel Lager Griquas
Leopards Leopards
Sharks XV Cell C Sharks XV
Southern Section
Team Sponsored Name
Boland Cavaliers Boland Cavaliers
Border Bulldogs Border Bulldogs
Eastern Province Kings Eastern Province Kings
SWD Eagles SWD Eagles
Western Province DHL Western Province

Northern Section

[edit]

Log

[edit]
Northern Section log
Pos Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1 Golden Lions XV 8 7 0 1 485 208 +277 69 26 7 1 36
2 Blue Bulls XV 8 5 0 3 376 240 +136 53 33 7 2 29
3 Pumas 8 5 1 2 314 217 +97 44 27 7 0 29
4 Falcons 8 1 1 6 273 386 −113 39 56 7 3 16
5 Welwitschias 8 1 0 7 140 537 −397 19 82 2 0 6

Round-by-round

[edit]

The table below shows each team's progression throughout the season. For each round, each team's cumulative points total is shown with the overall log position in brackets.

Team Progression – Northern Section
Team R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 QF SF F
Golden Lions XV 0
(4th) 		5
(3rd) 		10
(1st) 		14
(1st) 		16
(1st) 		16
(3rd) 		21
(2nd) 		26
(2nd) 		31
(1st) 		36
(1st) 		Won Lost —
Blue Bulls XV 0
(5th) 		5
(1st) 		10
(2nd) 		10
(2nd) 		15
(2nd) 		17
(2nd) 		22
(1st) 		27
(1st) 		27
(2nd) 		29
(2nd) 		Won Lost —
Pumas 5
(2nd) 		5
(4th) 		5
(4th) 		10
(3rd) 		13
(3rd) 		18
(1st) 		19
(3rd) 		19
(3rd) 		24
(3rd) 		29
(3rd) 		Lost — —
Falcons 5
(1st) 		5
(2nd) 		6
(3rd) 		7
(4th) 		10
(4th) 		12
(4th) 		12
(4th) 		14
(4th) 		15
(4th) 		16
(4th) 		— — —
Welwitschias 1
(3rd) 		1
(5th) 		1
(5th) 		1
(5th) 		1
(5th) 		6
(5th) 		6
(5th) 		6
(5th) 		6
(5th) 		6
(5th) 		— — —
Key: win draw loss bye

Matches

[edit]

Round One

[edit]
22 April 2017 Blue Bulls XV 23–31 Pumas Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria  
14:30 Try: Rabz Maxwane
Divan Rossouw
Con: Tinus de Beer
Tony Jantjies
Pen: Joshua Stander
Tony Jantjies (2) 		Scoreboard[2] Try: Marko Janse van Rensburg
Frank Herne (2)
Devon Williams
Con: Kobus Marais
Pen: Kobus Marais (3) 		Referee: Jaco van Heerden


22 April 2017 Falcons 50–33 Welwitschias Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park  
15:00 Try: Dian Koen
Ernst Ladendorf
Etienne Taljaard (2)
Grant Janke
Keaton Gordon
Maphutha Dolo
Con: Warren Potgieter (6)
Pen: Warren Potgieter 		Scoreboard[3] Try: Max Katjijeko
Leneve Damens
Eugene Jantjies
Gino Wilson
Lesley Klim
Con: Theuns Kotzé
Pen: Theuns Kotzé (2) 		Referee: Quinton Immelman
Bye/s: Golden Lions XV

Round Two

[edit]
29 April 2017 Pumas 29–40 Golden Lions XV KaNyamazane Stadium, Nelspruit  
15:00 Try: Reynier van Rooyen (2)
Con: Kobus Marais (2)
Pen: Kobus Marais (5) 		Scoreboard[4] Try: Fabian Booysen (2)
Shaun Reynolds
Gerrie Labuschagné
Con: Shaun Reynolds (4)
Pen: Shaun Reynolds (4) 		Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni


29 April 2017 Welwitschias 25–50 Blue Bulls XV Hage Geingob Stadium, Windhoek  
16:00 Try: JC Greyling
David Philander
Andries Rousseau
Con: Theuns Kotzé (2)
Pen: Theuns Kotzé (2) 		Scoreboard[5] Try: Andrew Beerwinkel
Clyde Davids
Ivan van Zyl (3)
Jade Stighling
Divan Rossouw
Eduan Lubbe
Con: Tony Jantjies (5) 		Referee: Pro Legoete
Bye/s: Falcons

Round Three

[edit]
6 May 2017 Blue Bulls XV 63–26 Falcons Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria  
14:30 Try: Rabz Maxwane (3)
Franco Naudé
Shaun Adendorff
Boom Prinsloo (2)
penalty try (2)
Con: Tony Jantjies (7) 		Scoreboard[6] Try: Andries Schutte
Dian Koen
Etienne Taljaard
Maphutha Dolo
Con: Warren Potgieter (3) 		Referee: Pro Legoete


6 May 2017 Golden Lions XV 112–14 Welwitschias Alberton Rugby Club, Alberton  
15:00 Try: JP du Preez (3)
James Venter (2)
Victor Sekekete
Shaun Reynolds
Madosh Tambwe
Gerdus van der Walt
Jarryd Sage (2)
Hacjivah Dayimani (3)
Siya Masuku
Selom Gavor
Con: Shaun Reynolds (7)
Siya Masuku (9) 		Scoreboard[7] Try: Lesley Klim (2)
Con: Theuns Kotzé (2) 		Referee: Ben Crouse
Bye/s: Pumas

Round Four

[edit]
14 May 2017 Pumas 64–8 Welwitschias Bill Jardine Stadium, Johannesburg  
13:00 Try: Frank Herne
Brian Shabangu
Carel Greeff
Kobus Marais
Ryan Nell
Ruwellyn Isbell (2)
Devon Williams
Emile Temperman
Sias Ebersohn
Con: Kobus Marais (3)
Sias Ebersohn (4) 		Scoreboard[8] Try: Lesley Klim
Pen: Theuns Kotzé 		Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni


14 May 2017 Golden Lions XV 28–27 Falcons Bill Jardine Stadium, Johannesburg  
15:00 Try: Pieter Jansen (2)
James Venter
Con: Siya Masuku (2)
Pen: Siya Masuku
Shaun Reynolds (2) 		Scoreboard[9] Try: Jan Enslin
Friedle Olivier
penalty try
Con: Christian Rust (2)
Pen: Christian Rust (2) 		Referee: Egon Seconds
Bye/s: Blue Bulls XV

Round Five

[edit]
20 May 2017 Golden Lions XV 35–37 Blue Bulls XV Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg  
14:35 Try: Jano Venter
Shaun Reynolds
Selom Gavor
Jarryd Sage
Ashlon Davids
Con: Shaun Reynolds (2)
Pen: Shaun Reynolds (2) 		Scoreboard[10] Try: Corniel Els
Boom Prinsloo
Tinus de Beer
Arno Botha
penalty try
Con: Tinus de Beer (2)
Pen: Tinus de Beer (2) 		Referee: AJ Jacobs


20 May 2017 Falcons 41–41 Pumas Bosman Stadium, Brakpan  
15:00 Try: Andries Schutte
Shane Kirkwood (2)
Friedle Olivier
Marnus Erasmus
Con: Warren Potgieter (3)
Christian Rust (2)
Pen: Warren Potgieter (2) 		Scoreboard[11] Try: De-Jay Terblanche
Frank Herne
Carel Greeff (2)
JP Lewis
Ruwellyn Isbell
Devon Williams
Con: Sias Ebersohn (3) 		Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Bye/s: Welwitschias

Round Six

[edit]
27 May 2017 Pumas 35–29 Blue Bulls XV Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela  
15:00 Try: Marko Janse van Rensburg
Ryan Nell
Hennie Skorbinski
Frank Herne
Con: Kobus Marais (3)
Pen: Kobus Marais (3) 		Scoreboard[12] Try: Franco Naudé
Shaun Adendorff (2)
penalty try
Con: Tinus de Beer (2)
Pen: Joshua Stander 		Referee: Pro Legoete


27 May 2017 Welwitschias 45–43 Falcons Hage Geingob Stadium, Windhoek  
16:00 Try: Roderique Victor
Gino Wilson (2)
JC Greyling
Lesley Klim
David Philander
Con: Theuns Kotzé (6)
Pen: Theuns Kotzé 		Scoreboard[13] Try: Shane Kirkwood (2)
Johan Pretorius (2)
Etienne Taljaard
Grant Janke
Reg Muller
Con: Christian Rust (4) 		Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys
Bye/s: Golden Lions XV

Round Seven

[edit]
2 June 2017 Golden Lions XV 35–25 Pumas Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg  
14:00 Try: Fabian Booysen
Jano Venter
Shaun Reynolds
Aphiwe Dyantyi (2)
Con: Shaun Reynolds (5) 		Scoreboard[14] Try: Marko Janse van Rensburg
JP Lewis
Ryan Nell
Frank Herne
Con: Sias Ebersohn
Pen: Sias Ebersohn 		Referee: Quinton Immelman


3 June 2017 Blue Bulls XV 92–7 Welwitschias Hoërskool Garsfontein, Pretoria  
13:30 Try: Shaun Adendorff (2)
Boom Prinsloo (2)
Clyde Davids
Kefentse Mahlo (2)
Franco Naudé (3)
Brian Leitch
André Warner (2)
Earll Douwrie
Con: Tinus de Beer (6)
Joshua Stander (5) 		Scoreboard[15] Try: Nikin Cloete
Con: Dirk von Weidts 		Referee: Egon Seconds
Bye/s: Falcons

Round Eight

[edit]
9 June 2017 Falcons 26–33 Blue Bulls XV Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park  
15:00 Try: Marco Klopper
JP Mostert
Warren Potgieter
Etienne Taljaard
Con: Warren Potgieter (3) 		Scoreboard[16] Try: Boom Prinsloo
André Warner
Kefentse Mahlo (2)
Duncan Matthews
Con: Tinus de Beer
Handré Pollard (3) 		Referee: AJ Jacobs


10 June 2017 Welwitschias 0–84 Golden Lions XV Hage Geingob Stadium, Windhoek  
16:00 Scoreboard[17] Try: Bobby de Wee (2)
James Venter (2)
Hacjivah Dayimani (2)
Jano Venter
Gerrie Labuschagné (3)
Gerdus van der Walt
Selom Gavor
Driaan Bester
Morné van den Berg
Con: Siya Masuku (7) 		Referee: Pro Legoete
Bye/s: Pumas

Round Nine

[edit]
16 June 2017 Falcons 27–96 Golden Lions XV Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park  
14:30 Try: Marco Klopper
Reg Muller
Maphutha Dolo (2)
Con: Christian Rust (2)
Pen: Christian Rust 		Scoreboard[18] Try: Akker van der Merwe (2)
Marvin Orie
Fabian Booysen
Jano Venter (2)
Dillon Smit
Madosh Tambwe
Jacques Nel
Anthony Volmink (3)
Hacjivah Dayimani
Jan-Louis la Grange
Con: Shaun Reynolds (13) 		Referee: Lourens van der Merwe


17 June 2017 Welwitschias 8–42 Pumas Hage Geingob Stadium, Windhoek  
14:00 Try: Dirk von Weidts
Pen: Winmar Rust 		Scoreboard[19] Try: Emile Temperman
JP Lewis
Carel Greeff (2)
Francois Kleinhans
Jannie Stander
Con: Kobus Marais (3)
Sias Ebersohn (3) 		Referee: Ben Crouse
Bye/s: Blue Bulls XV

Round Ten

[edit]
23 June 2017 Blue Bulls XV 49–55 Golden Lions XV Orlando Stadium, Soweto  
17:00 Try: Pierre Schoeman
Jaco Visagie
André Warner
Dries Swanepoel
Duncan Matthews
penalty try
Con: Tian Schoeman (4)
Pen: Tian Schoeman (3) 		Scoreboard[20] Try: Jacques van Rooyen
Akker van der Merwe
Lourens Erasmus
Marvin Orie
Madosh Tambwe (2)
Kwagga Smith
penalty try
Con: Shaun Reynolds (5)
Pen: Shaun Reynolds 		Referee: Stuart Berry


24 June 2017 Pumas 47–33 Falcons Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela  
15:00 Try: Frank Herne
Francois Kleinhans
Emile Temperman
Ruwellyn Isbell
Ryan Nell
Hennie Skorbinski
penalty try
Con: Sias Ebersohn (3)
Justin van Staden (2) 		Scoreboard[21] Try: Dwight Pansegrouw
Anrich Richter
Etienne Taljaard
Christian Rust (2)
Con: Christian Rust (4) 		Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni
Bye/s: Welwitschias

Central Section

[edit]

Log

[edit]
Central Section log
Pos Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1 Griquas 8 6 1 1 335 213 +122 47 30 8 1 35
2 Sharks XV 8 5 1 2 288 150 +138 43 19 6 1 29
3 Free State XV 8 3 0 5 253 301 −48 32 40 6 4 22
4 Leopards 8 3 0 5 199 276 −77 27 39 4 1 17
5 Griffons 8 2 0 6 227 362 −135 32 53 4 1 13

Round-by-round

[edit]

The table below shows each team's progression throughout the season. For each round, each team's cumulative points total is shown with the overall log position in brackets.

Team Progression – Central Section
Team R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 QF SF F
Griquas 5
(1st) 		7
(2nd) 		7
(2nd) 		12
(2nd) 		17
(1st) 		22
(1st) 		22
(1st) 		27
(1st) 		30
(1st) 		35
(1st) 		Won Won Lost
Sharks XV 0
(5th) 		0
(5th) 		5
(3rd) 		10
(3rd) 		11
(3rd) 		11
(4th) 		16
(3rd) 		21
(2nd) 		24
(2nd) 		29
(2nd) 		Lost — —
Free State XV 0
(3rd) 		2
(4th) 		4
(5th) 		6
(4th) 		10
(4th) 		15
(2nd) 		20
(2nd) 		21
(3rd) 		21
(3rd) 		22
(3rd) 		Lost — —
Leopards 5
(2nd) 		10
(1st) 		15
(1st) 		15
(1st) 		15
(2nd) 		15
(3rd) 		17
(4th) 		17
(4th) 		17
(4th) 		17
(4th) 		— — —
Griffons 0
(4th) 		5
(3rd) 		5
(4th) 		5
(5th) 		5
(5th) 		7
(5th) 		7
(5th) 		7
(5th) 		12
(5th) 		13
(5th) 		— — —
Key: win draw loss bye

Matches

[edit]

Round One

[edit]
22 April 2017 Griffons 17–29 Leopards North West Stadium, Welkom  
15:00 Try: Khwezi Mkhafu
Henco Greyling
Neil Claassen
Con: Jaun Kotzé 		Scoreboard[22] Try: Loftus Morrison
Schalk Hugo
Gene Willemse (2)
Con: Schalk Hugo (3)
Pen: Schalk Hugo 		Referee: Pro Legoete


22 April 2017 Sharks XV 7–28 Griquas Kings Park Stadium, Durban  
17:00 Try: Juan Schoeman
Con: Johan Deysel 		Scoreboard[23] Try: Jason Fraser
Tertius Kruger
Enver Brandt
penalty try
Con: George Whitehead (2)
André Swarts 		Referee: Stuart Berry
Bye/s: Free State XV

Round Two

[edit]
29 April 2017 Free State XV 36–38 Griffons Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein  
14:30 Try: Rayno Benjamin
JW Jonker
Luther Obi
Michael van der Spuy
Heinrich Bitzi
Con: Heinrich Bitzi (4)
Pen: Heinrich Bitzi 		Scoreboard[24] Try: Louis Venter
Vuyo Mbotho (2)
Joubert Engelbrecht
Alrin Eksteen
Con: Duan Pretorius (3)
Jaun Kotzé (2)
Pen: Duan Pretorius 		Referee: Ben Crouse


29 April 2017 Griquas 35–38 Leopards Diamantveld High School, Kimberley  
15:00 Try: Wendal Wehr
Christiaan Meyer
George Whitehead
Ederies Arendse
Enver Brandt
Con: George Whitehead (5) 		Scoreboard[25] Try: Boela Venter
Gideon van der Merwe
Marno Redelinghuys
Rowayne Beukman
Tapiwa Mafura
Con: Schalk Hugo (5)
Pen: Schalk Hugo 		Referee: Quinton Immelman
Bye/s: Sharks XV

Round Three

[edit]
5 May 2017 Leopards 37–32 Free State XV Olën Park, Potchefstroom  
18:00 Try: Marno Redelinghuys
Schalk Hugo
Gene Willemse (2)
Con: Schalk Hugo (4)
Pen: Schalk Hugo (3) 		Scoreboard[26] Try: Justin Basson
Rayno Benjamin
Ntokozo Vidima
Stephan Kotzé
Con: Heinrich Bitzi (2)
Marco Mason
Pen: Heinrich Bitzi (2) 		Referee: Quinton Immelman


6 May 2017 Griffons 24–52 Sharks XV North West Stadium, Welkom  
15:00 Try: Alrin Eksteen
Tertius Maarman
Vuyo Mbotho
Con: Duan Pretorius (3)
Pen: Duan Pretorius 		Scoreboard[27] Try: Hyron Andrews
Jacques Vermeulen
Morné Joubert
Garth April (2)
Tristan Blewett
penalty try (2)
Con: Garth April (4) 		Referee: Lourens van der Merwe
Bye/s: Griquas

Round Four

[edit]
12 May 2017 Free State XV 30–32 Griquas Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein  
15:00 Try: Joseph Dweba
Junior Pokomela
JW Jonker
Gerhard Olivier
Con: Marco Mason (2)
Pen: Marco Mason (2) 		Scoreboard[28] Try: Enver Brandt
Tertius Kruger
Ederies Arendse
Renier Botha
Con: George Whitehead (3)
Pen: George Whitehead (2) 		Referee: Quinton Immelman


13 May 2017 Sharks XV 32–5 Leopards Douglas Mitchell Sports Grounds, Uvongo  
15:00 Try: John-Hubert Meyer
Jacques Vermeulen (3)
Kerron van Vuuren
Con: Benhard Janse van Rensburg (2)
Pen: Benhard Janse van Rensburg 		Scoreboard[29] Try: Tapiwa Mafura Referee: Lourens van der Merwe
Bye/s: Griffons

Round Five

[edit]
20 May 2017 Sharks XV 19–21 Free State XV Ashton International College, Ballito  
15:00 Try: Hyron Andrews (2)
Pen: Courtney Winnaar (3) 		Scoreboard[30] Try: Tienie Burger
Marco Mason
Con: Marco Mason
Pen: Marco Mason (3) 		Referee: Stuart Berry


20 May 2017 Griffons 22–66 Griquas North West Stadium, Welkom  
15:30 Try: Danie van der Merwe
Joubert Engelbrecht
Thato Mavundla
Con: Duan Pretorius (2)
Pen: Duan Pretorius 		Scoreboard[31] Try: AJ le Roux
Shaun McDonald
Christiaan Meyer
Tertius Kruger (2)
Kyle Steyn
Koch Marx
Eric Zana
André Swarts
AJ Coertzen
Con: George Whitehead (5)
Eric Zana (3) 		Referee: Lourens van der Merwe
Bye/s: Leopards

Round Six

[edit]
28 May 2017 Griffons 48–53 Free State XV Rustenburg Impala Rugby Club, Rustenburg  
12:30 Try: Jasper Wiese
Warren Williams (3)
Joubert Engelbrecht
Rodney Damons
Neil Claassen
Con: Duan Pretorius (5)
Pen: Robbie Petzer 		Scoreboard[32] Try: Michael van der Spuy
Luther Obi (2)
Ali Mgijima (2)
JW Jonker
Ntokozo Vidima
Con: Marco Mason (6)
Pen: Marco Mason (2) 		Referee: Jaco Pretorius


28 May 2017 Leopards 17–54 Griquas Rustenburg Impala Rugby Club, Rustenburg  
14:30 Try: Juan Language
Jeandré Rudolph
Elden Schoeman
Con: Schalk Hugo 		Scoreboard[33] Try: Jason Fraser (2)
Renier Botha
André Swarts
AJ Coertzen
Tertius Kruger
Alvin Brandt
Con: André Swarts (5)
Pen: André Swarts (3) 		Referee: AJ Jacobs
Bye/s: Sharks XV

Round Seven

[edit]
2 June 2017 Free State XV 35–32 Leopards Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein  
15:00 Try: Joseph Dweba
Stephan Janse van Rensburg
JW Jonker
Marco Mason
Con: Marco Mason (3)
Pen: Marco Mason (3) 		Scoreboard[34] Try: Gideon van der Merwe (3)
Henko Marais
Con: Gerhard Nortier (2)
Schalk Hugo
Pen: Gerhard Nortier (2) 		Referee: AJ Jacobs


3 June 2017 Sharks XV 60–10 Griffons Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium, Clermont  
15:00 Try: Khaya Majola
Marius Louw
S'bura Sithole (2)
Odwa Ndungane (3)
Courtney Winnaar
Tristan Blewett
Con: Benhard Janse van Rensburg (3)
Danrich Visagie (3)
Pen: Benhard Janse van Rensburg 		Scoreboard[35] Try: Jasper Wiese
Con: Duan Pretorius
Pen: Duan Pretorius 		Referee: Pro Legoete
Bye/s: Griquas

Round Eight

[edit]
9 June 2017 Griquas 43–36 Free State XV Griqua Park, Kimberley  
19:00 Try: Wendal Wehr (2)
Renier Botha
André Swarts
Ederies Arendse (2)
Con: André Swarts (5)
Pen: André Swarts 		Scoreboard[36] Try: Justin Basson
JW Jonker
Luther Obi (2)
Ruan van Rensburg
Con: Marco Mason (4)
Pen: Marco Mason 		Referee: Stuart Berry


10 June 2017 Leopards 24–38 Sharks XV Olën Park, Potchefstroom  
15:00 Try: Joe Smith
Henko Marais (2)
Con: Gerhard Nortier (2)
Schalk Hugo
Pen: Gerhard Nortier 		Scoreboard[37] Try: Stephan Coetzee
Khaya Majola
Andrew du Plessis
André Esterhuizen (2)
Wian Vosloo
Con: Garth April (4) 		Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Bye/s: Griffons

Round Nine

[edit]
15 June 2017 Griquas 28–28 Sharks XV Griqua Park, Kimberley  
19:00 Try: AJ le Roux
Jason Fraser
Renier Botha (2)
Con: George Whitehead
André Swarts (3) 		Scoreboard[38] Try: Hyron Andrews
S'bura Sithole
Ilunga Mukendi
Garth April
Con: Garth April
Pen: Garth April (2) 		Referee: AJ Jacobs


16 June 2017 Leopards 17–33 Griffons Olën Park, Potchefstroom  
18:00 Try: HP Swart
Jimmy Mpailane
Tapiwa Mafura
Con: Gerhard Nortier 		Scoreboard[39] Try: Barend Potgieter
Thato Mavundla
Jasper Wiese
Duan Pretorius
Carel-Jan Coetzee
Con: Duan Pretorius (4) 		Referee: Jaco Pretorius
Bye/s: Free State XV

Round Ten

[edit]
23 June 2017 Free State XV 10–52 Sharks XV Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein  
15:00 Try: Joseph Dweba
Con: Marco Mason
Pen: Michael van der Spuy 		Scoreboard[40] Try: Stephan Coetzee
Etienne Oosthuizen
Philip van der Walt
Dan du Preez
Cobus Reinach (2)
André Esterhuizen
S'bura Sithole
Con: Garth April (6) 		Referee: AJ Jacobs


23 June 2017 Griquas 49–35 Griffons Griqua Park, Kimberley  
15:00 Try: Christiaan Meyer
Enver Brandt (2)
Tertius Kruger
Koch Marx
Eric Zana
Wilmar Arnoldi
Con: George Whitehead (7) 		Scoreboard[41] Try: Louis Venter
Carel-Jan Coetzee
Vuyo Mbotho (2)
Alrin Eksteen
Con: Wynand Pienaar (2)
Pen: Duan Pretorius (2) 		Referee: Vusi Msibi
Bye/s: Leopards

Southern Section

[edit]

Log

[edit]
Southern Section log
Pos Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1 Western Province 8 8 0 0 312 171 +141 46 23 7 0 39
2 Eastern Province Kings 8 5 0 3 235 222 +13 35 30 4 1 25
3 Border Bulldogs 8 4 0 4 215 264 −49 29 37 4 2 22
4 Boland Cavaliers 8 3 0 5 193 198 −5 24 28 4 2 18
5 SWD Eagles 8 0 0 8 183 283 −100 25 41 3 6 9

Round-by-round

[edit]

The table below shows each team's progression throughout the season. For each round, each team's cumulative points total is shown with the overall log position in brackets.

Team Progression – Southern Section
Team R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 QF SF F
Western Province 5
(1st) 		10
(1st) 		15
(1st) 		15
(1st) 		20
(1st) 		25
(1st) 		30
(1st) 		34
(1st) 		34
(1st) 		39
(1st) 		Won Won Won
Eastern Province Kings 0
(5th) 		5
(3rd) 		5
(3rd) 		6
(4th) 		11
(3rd) 		11
(4th) 		15
(3rd) 		15
(3rd) 		20
(3rd) 		25
(3rd) 		Lost — —
Border Bulldogs 5
(2nd) 		6
(2nd) 		11
(2nd) 		15
(2nd) 		15
(2nd) 		16
(2nd) 		16
(2nd) 		20
(2nd) 		22
(2nd) 		22
(3rd) 		— — —
Boland Cavaliers 2
(3rd) 		2
(4th) 		4
(5th) 		8
(3rd) 		8
(4th) 		12
(3rd) 		12
(4th) 		12
(4th) 		17
(4th) 		18
(4th) 		— — —
SWD Eagles 0
(4th) 		2
(5th) 		4
(4th) 		5
(5th) 		5
(5th) 		5
(5th) 		6
(5th) 		7
(5th) 		7
(5th) 		9
(5th) 		— — —
Key: win draw loss bye

Matches

[edit]

Round One

[edit]
23 April 2017 Border Bulldogs 28–25 Boland Cavaliers Wolfson Stadium, KwaZakele  
13:00 Try: Blake Kyd
Michael Makase
Sonwabiso Mqalo
penalty try
Con: Oliver Zono (3) 		Scoreboard[42] Try: Marlyn Williams
Zandré Jordaan
Danwel Demas
Charlie Mayeza
Con: Elgar Watts
Pen: Elgar Watts 		Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni


23 April 2017 Eastern Province Kings 18–30 Western Province Wolfson Stadium, KwaZakele  
15:00 Try: Stefan Ungerer
Alshaun Bock
Siyanda Grey
Pen: Garrick Mattheus 		Scoreboard[43] Try: Luke Stringer
Jaco Coetzee
Valentino Wellman
Grant Hermanus
Con: Brandon Thomson (2)
Pen: Brandon Thomson (2) 		Referee: Rodney Boneparte
Bye/s: SWD Eagles

Round Two

[edit]
28 April 2017 SWD Eagles 29–34 Eastern Province Kings Outeniqua Park, George  
19:00 Try: Leighton Eksteen
Lodewyk Uys
Johnny Welthagen
penalty try
Con: Leighton Eksteen (2)
Pen: Leighton Eksteen 		Scoreboard[44] Try: Thembelani Bholi
Neil Maritz
Keanu Vers
Waylon Murray
penalty try
Con: Simon Bolze (2)
Pen: Simon Bolze 		Referee: Stuart Berry


29 April 2017 Western Province 50–34 Border Bulldogs City Park Stadium, Athlone  
16:00 Try: Chad Solomon
Brenden Esterhuizen
Johan du Toit
Scott van Breda (2)
Michal Haznar
Valentino Wellman
Con: Brandon Thomson (6)
Pen: Brandon Thomson 		Scoreboard[45] Try: Bangi Kobese
Oliver Zono (2)
Soso Xakalashe
Con: Oliver Zono (4)
Pen: Oliver Zono (2) 		Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Bye/s: Boland Cavaliers

Round Three

[edit]
5 May 2017 Border Bulldogs 42–38 SWD Eagles Buffalo City Stadium, East London  
19:15 Try: Wandile Putuma
Lukhanyo Nomzanga
Johannes Janse van Rensburg
Soso Xakalashe
Michael Makase
Ntabeni Dukisa
Con: Oliver Zono (5)
Bangi Kobese 		Scoreboard[46] Try: Christo du Plessis
Quaid Langeveldt
Adri Jacobs (2)
Jan van der Merwe
Daniël Maree
Con: Leighton Eksteen (4) 		Referee: Stuart Berry


6 May 2017 Boland Cavaliers 28–35 Western Province Velddrif Rugby Club, Velddrif  
15:00 Try: Rinus Bothma
Christopher Bosch
Chadley Wenn
Sergio Torrens
Con: Divan Nel
Pen: Divan Nel (2) 		Scoreboard[47] Try: Dean Muir
Ruben de Villiers
Eduard Zandberg
Scott van Breda
Valentino Wellman
Con: Brandon Thomson (5) 		Referee: Egon Seconds
Bye/s: Eastern Province Kings

Round Four

[edit]
12 May 2017 SWD Eagles 8–15 Boland Cavaliers Outeniqua Park, George  
19:00 Try: Johnny Welthagen
Pen: Leighton Eksteen 		Scoreboard[48] Pen: Divan Nel (5) Referee: Pro Legoete


13 May 2017 Eastern Province Kings 17–20 Border Bulldogs Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth  
14:30 Try: Greg Jackson
Brandon Brown
Stefan Ungerer
Con: Garrick Mattheus 		Scoreboard[49] Try: Johannes Janse van Rensburg
Michael Makase
Ntabeni Dukisa
Con: Oliver Zono
Pen: Oliver Zono 		Referee: AJ Jacobs
Bye/s: Western Province

Round Five

[edit]
19 May 2017 Western Province 45–11 SWD Eagles Newlands Stadium, Cape Town  
16:15 Try: Chad Solomon (2)
Craig Barry (2)
Grant Hermanus
Justin Phillips
penalty try
Con: Grant Hermanus (4) 		Scoreboard[50] Try: Charles Radebe
Pen: Leighton Eksteen (2) 		Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni


20 May 2017 Eastern Province Kings 27–16 Boland Cavaliers Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth  
16:45 Try: Lupumlo Mguca
Simon Bolze
Sonwabo Majola
Con: Simon Bolze (3)
Pen: Simon Bolze (2) 		Scoreboard[51] Try: Clemen Lewis
Con: Divan Nel
Pen: Divan Nel (3) 		Referee: Egon Seconds
Bye/s: Border Bulldogs

Round Six

[edit]
27 May 2017 Boland Cavaliers 21–20 Border Bulldogs Ceres Rugby Club, Ceres  
15:00 Try: Sergio Torrens
Divan Nel
Con: Divan Nel
Pen: Divan Nel (3) 		Scoreboard[52] Try: Soso Xakalashe
Sino Nyoka
Oliver Zono
Con: Oliver Zono
Pen: Oliver Zono 		Referee: Vusi Msibi


27 May 2017 Western Province 39–24 Eastern Province Kings City Park Stadium, Athlone  
15:00 Try: Chad Solomon
Jaco Coetzee
Marcello Sampson
Khanyo Ngcukana
Craig Barry (2)
Con: Brandon Thomson (3)
Pen: Brandon Thomson 		Scoreboard[53] Try: Michael Brink
Wandile Mjekevu
Siyanda Grey
Con: Garrick Mattheus (3)
Pen: Garrick Mattheus 		Referee: Ben Crouse
Bye/s: SWD Eagles

Round Seven

[edit]
4 June 2017 Eastern Province Kings 24–21 SWD Eagles Sisa Dukashe Stadium, Mdantsane  
13:00 Try: Chris Heiberg
Tango Balekile
Keanu Vers (2)
Con: Pieter-Steyn de Wet (2) 		Scoreboard[54] Try: Thor Halvorsen
Johnny Welthagen
Marlo Weich
Con: Leighton Eksteen (3) 		Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni


4 June 2017 Border Bulldogs 7–45 Western Province Sisa Dukashe Stadium, Mdantsane  
15:00 Try: Oliver Zono
Con: Oliver Zono 		Scoreboard[55] Try: Dean Muir
Brenden Esterhuizen
Johan du Toit
Jaco Coetzee
Craig Barry
Grant Hermanus
Con: Brandon Thomson (6)
Pen: Brandon Thomson 		Referee: AJ Jacobs
Bye/s: Boland Cavaliers

Round Eight

[edit]
9 June 2017 SWD Eagles 25–26 Border Bulldogs Outeniqua Park, George  
19:00 Try: Freginald Africa
Marlou van Niekerk
Adri Jacobs
Con: Leighton Eksteen (2)
Pen: Leighton Eksteen (2) 		Scoreboard[56] Try: Oliver Zono (2)
Sino Nyoka
Con: Oliver Zono
Pen: Oliver Zono (3) 		Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni


10 June 2017 Western Province 22–8 Boland Cavaliers Charles Morkel Stadium, Strand  
15:00 Try: Eital Bredenkamp
Kurt Coleman
Michal Haznar
Con: Kurt Coleman (2)
Pen: Kurt Coleman 		Scoreboard[57] Try: Clinton Theron
Pen: Divan Nel 		Referee: Quinton Immelman
Bye/s: Eastern Province Kings

Round Nine

[edit]
15 June 2017 Border Bulldogs 38–43 Eastern Province Kings Buffalo City Stadium, East London  
17:00 Try: Oliver Zono
Michael Makase
Sonwabiso Mqalo
Lelethu Gcilitshana (2)
Con: Oliver Zono (5)
Pen: Oliver Zono 		Scoreboard[58] Try: Tango Balekile
Stefan Willemse
Brandon Brown
Stefan Ungerer
Sonwabo Majola
Neil Maritz
Con: Pieter-Steyn de Wet (5)
Pen: Pieter-Steyn de Wet 		Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni


17 June 2017 Boland Cavaliers 51–10 SWD Eagles Alfa Sports Ground, Malmesbury  
15:00 Try: Clinton Theron
Ludio Williams
Zandré Jordaan
Elgar Watts (2)
Sergio Torrens
Edwin Sass
Charlie Mayeza
Con: Divan Nel (3)
Adriaan Carelse
Pen: Divan Nel 		Scoreboard[59] Try: Dillin Snel
Con: Leighton Eksteen
Pen: Leighton Eksteen 		Referee: Pro Legoete
Bye/s: Western Province

Round Ten

[edit]
24 June 2017 Boland Cavaliers 29–48 Eastern Province Kings Glaskasteel, Bredasdorp  
15:00 Try: Vian van der Watt
Edwin Sass
Gerrit van Wyk
Mac Muller
Con: Divan Nel (3)
Pen: Divan Nel 		Scoreboard[60] Try: Mike Willemse
Keanu Vers (2)
Neil Maritz (3)
Malcolm Jaer
Tango Balekile
Con: Pieter-Steyn de Wet (4) 		Referee: Quinton Immelman


25 June 2017 SWD Eagles 41–46 Western Province Bridgton Sports Grounds, Oudtshoorn  
15:00 Try: Kirsten Heyns
Teunis Nieuwoudt
Adri Jacobs
Lodewyk Uys
Dillin Snel
Quaid Langeveldt
Con: Leighton Eksteen (4)
Pen: Leighton Eksteen 		Scoreboard[61] Try: Eduard Zandberg
Nyasha Tarusenga
Bjorn Basson
Marcello Sampson (2)
Craig Barry (3)
Con: Brandon Thomson (2)
Errol Jaggers 		Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Bye/s: Border Bulldogs

Title play-offs

[edit]

The final pool standings and title play-offs seeding were:

Section winners
Seeding Team Section PD Pts
1 Western Province Southern Section 39 +141
2 Golden Lions XV Northern Section 36 +277
3 Griquas Central Section 35 +122
Section runners-up
Seeding Team Section PD Pts
4 Sharks XV Central Section 29 +138
5 Blue Bulls XV Northern Section 29 +136
6 Eastern Province Kings Southern Section 25 +13
Section third-placed teams
Seeding Team Section PD Pts
7 Pumas Northern Section 29 +97
8 Free State XV Central Section 22 −48
9 Border Bulldogs Southern Section 22 −49

Quarterfinals

[edit]
1 July 2017 Golden Lions XV 43–32 Pumas Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg  
14:00 Try: James Venter (2)
Dillon Smit
Jarryd Sage (2)
Madosh Tambwe
Con: Shaun Reynolds (5)
Pen: Shaun Reynolds 		Scoreboard[62] Try: Nardus van der Walt
Frank Herne (2)
Reynier van Rooyen
Con: Kobus Marais (2)
Justin van Staden
Pen: Kobus Marais
Justin van Staden 		Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge


1 July 2017 Griquas 73–41 Eastern Province Kings Griqua Park, Kimberley  
15:00 Try: AJ le Roux
Sias Koen
Enver Brandt (4)
Koch Marx
Ederies Arendse
Eric Zana
Marius Fourie
Christiaan Meyer
Con: George Whitehead (9) 		Scoreboard[63] Try: Sintu Manjezi
Brandon Brown
Lusanda Badiyana
Sonwabo Majola
Keanu Vers
SF Nieuwoudt
Con: Pieter-Steyn de Wet (3)
Garrick Mattheus
Pen: Pieter-Steyn de Wet 		Referee: AJ Jacobs


2 July 2017 Sharks XV 18–23 Blue Bulls XV Green Point Track, Cape Town  
12:45 Try: Wian Vosloo
Ilunga Mukendi
Courtney Winnaar
Pen: Benhard Janse van Rensburg 		Scoreboard[64] Try: Aston Fortuin
Andrew Beerwinkel
Con: Joshua Stander (2)
Pen: Tinus de Beer (3) 		Referee: Quinton Immelman


2 July 2017 Western Province 26–0 Free State XV Green Point Track, Cape Town  
15:00 Try: Bjorn Basson
Michal Haznar
Con: Brandon Thomson (2)
Pen: Kurt Coleman (3)
Brandon Thomson 		Scoreboard[65] Referee: Pro Legoete

Semifinals

[edit]
9 July 2017 Golden Lions XV 21–33 Griquas Sisa Dukashe Stadium, Mdantsane  
12:45 Try: James Venter
Madosh Tambwe (2)
Con: Shaun Reynolds (3) 		Scoreboard[66] Try: Ewald van der Westhuizen
Sias Koen
Ederies Arendse
Con: George Whitehead (3)
Pen: George Whitehead (2)
André Swarts 		Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni


9 July 2017 Western Province 28–24 Blue Bulls XV Sisa Dukashe Stadium, Mdantsane  
15:00 Try: Luke Stringer
Jaco Coetzee
Godlen Masimla
Con: Kurt Coleman (2)
Pen: Kurt Coleman (3) 		Scoreboard[67] Try: Dries Swanepoel
Dewald Naudé
Franco Naudé
Con: Joshua Stander (3)
Pen: Joshua Stander 		Referee: AJ Jacobs

Final

[edit]
16 July 2017 Western Province 28–19 Griquas Florida Park, Parow  
14:30 Try: Jurie van Vuuren
Bjorn Basson
Marcello Sampson (2)
Con: Kurt Coleman (4) 		Scoreboard[68] Try: Tertius Kruger
Koch Marx
NJ Oosthuizen
Con: André Swarts (2) 		Referee: Egon Seconds

Honours

[edit]

The honour roll for the 2017 Rugby Challenge was as follows:

2017 Rugby Challenge
Champions: Western Province (1st title)
Top points scorer: Shaun Reynolds, Golden Lions XV (138)
Top try scorers: Enver Brandt, Griquas
Frank Herne, Pumas (9)

Players

[edit]

Squads

[edit]

The following squads were named for the 2018 Rugby Challenge: