2018 Rugby Challenge

From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia

2018 Rugby Challenge
CountriesSouth Africa
Namibia
Date21 April – 15 July 2018
ChampionsPumas (1st title)
Runners-upGriquas
Matches played67
Tries scored615
(average 9.2 per match)
Top point scorerChris Smith, Pumas (131)
Top try scorerEnver Brandt, Griquas (11)
← 2017
2019 →
South African Rugby 2018

The 2018 Rugby Challenge – known as the SuperSport Rugby Challenge for sponsorship reasons – was the second edition of the Rugby Challenge, the secondary domestic rugby union competition in South Africa. The competition was organised by the South African Rugby Union and was played between 21 April and 15 July 2018. The competition featured all fourteen South African provincial unions plus Namibian side the Welwitschias.

The competition was won by the Pumas for the first time, after they beat Griquas 32–30 in the final in Oudtshoorn. Pumas fly-half Chris Smith was the top scorer in the competition with 131 points, while Griquas wing Enver Brandt was the top try scorer with 11 tries.

Competition rules and information

[edit]

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

Teams

[edit]

The teams that competed in the 2018 Rugby Challenge are:

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Location of teams in the 2018 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 iCollege 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 Elephants Eastern Province Elephants
SWD Eagles SWD Eagles
Western Province DHL Western Province

Northern Section

[edit]

Log

[edit]
2018 Rugby Challenge Northern Section log
Pos Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1 Pumas 8 8 0 0 408 152 +256 55 22 7 0 39
2 Golden Lions XV 8 5 0 3 375 221 +154 54 30 7 1 28
3 Blue Bulls XV 8 5 0 3 317 255 +62 47 32 7 0 27
4 Falcons 8 1 0 7 208 367 −159 30 52 6 1 11
5 Welwitschias 8 1 0 7 152 465 −313 20 70 3 0 7

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
Pumas 4
(2nd) 		9
(1st) 		9
(2nd) 		14
(1st) 		19
(1st) 		24
(1st) 		29
(1st) 		29
(1st) 		34
(1st) 		39
(1st) 		Won Won Won
Golden Lions XV 0
(3rd) 		1
(4th) 		6
(4th) 		11
(2nd) 		12
(3rd) 		12
(3rd) 		13
(3rd) 		18
(3rd) 		23
(3rd) 		28
(2nd) 		Lost — —
Blue Bulls XV 0
(4th) 		5
(2nd) 		10
(1st) 		10
(3rd) 		15
(2nd) 		16
(2nd) 		21
(2nd) 		26
(2nd) 		26
(2nd) 		27
(3rd) 		Lost — —
Falcons 5
(1st) 		5
(3rd) 		6
(3rd) 		6
(4th) 		6
(4th) 		7
(4th) 		7
(4th) 		9
(4th) 		10
(4th) 		11
(4th) 		— — —
Welwitschias 0
(5th) 		0
(5th) 		1
(5th) 		1
(5th) 		1
(5th) 		6
(5th) 		7
(5th) 		7
(5th) 		7
(5th) 		7
(5th) 		— — —
Key: win draw loss bye

Matches

[edit]

Round One

[edit]
21 April 2018 Pumas 36–18 Blue Bulls XV Nelspruit Rugby Club  
15:00 Try: Nardus van der Walt
Stefan Ungerer
JP Lewis
Con: Chris Smith (3)
Pen: Chris Smith (5) 		Scoreboard[2] Try: Earll Douwrie
Xolisa Guma
Con: Earll Douwrie
Pen: Earll Douwrie (2) 		Referee: Jaco Pretorius


21 April 2018 Welwitschias 7–39 Falcons Hage Geingob Stadium, Windhoek  
16:00 Try: Janré du Toit
Con: Eugene Jantjies 		Scoreboard[3] Try: Friedle Olivier (2)
André du Plessis
Don Mlondobozi
Andries Schutte
Nazeem Wood
Con: André du Plessis (2)
Errol Jaggers
Pen: André du Plessis 		Referee: Paul Mente
Bye/s: Golden Lions XV

Round Two

[edit]
28 April 2018 Golden Lions XV 26–35 Pumas Wits Rugby Stadium, Johannesburg  
13:00 Try: Corné Fourie
Rhyno Herbst
Shaun Reynolds
Siya Masuku
Con: Shaun Reynolds (3) 		Scoreboard[4] Try: De-Jay Terblanche
JP Lewis (2)
Devon Williams
Con: Chris Smith (3)
Pen: Chris Smith (3) 		Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge


28 April 2018 Blue Bulls XV 73–20 Welwitschias Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria  
14:30 Try: Corniel Els
Ruben van Heerden
Andell Loubser (2)
JT Jackson (2)
Earll Douwrie
Jan-Henning Campher
André Warner
Duncan Matthews (2)
Con: Earll Douwrie (9) 		Scoreboard[5] Try: AJ de Klerk
Adriaan Booysen
Con: Eugene Jantjies
PW Steenkamp
Pen: PW Steenkamp (2) 		Referee: Archie Sehlako
Bye/s: Falcons

Round Three

[edit]
5 May 2018 Falcons 35–64 Blue Bulls XV Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park  
15:00 Try: Jacques Alberts
André du Plessis
Etienne Taljaard
Lundi Ralarala
Jan Enslin
Con: André du Plessis (3)
Errol Jaggers (2) 		Scoreboard[6] Try: Matthys Basson
Embrose Papier (3)
Xolisa Guma
Ulrich Beyers (3)
Corniel Els
Marius Verwey
Con: Francois Brummer
Earll Douwrie (6) 		Referee: Ben Crouse


5 May 2018 Welwitschias 35–45 Golden Lions XV Hage Geingob Stadium, Windhoek  
16:00 Try: Leneve Damens
PW Steenkamp
Johann Tromp
Darryl de la Harpe
JC Greyling
Con: TC Kisting
PW Steenkamp (4) 		Scoreboard[7] Try: Bradley Thain (2)
Shaun Reynolds
Ronald Brown
Wayne van der Bank
Pieter Jansen (2)
Con: Shaun Reynolds (5) 		Referee: Jaco Pretorius
Bye/s: Pumas

Round Four

[edit]
12 May 2018 Falcons 12–68 Golden Lions XV Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park  
15:00 Try: Thabo Mabuza
Lundi Ralarala
Con: Errol Jaggers 		Scoreboard[8] Try: Phumzile Maqondwana
Vincent Tshituka
James Venter
Shaun Reynolds (3)
Jan-Louis la Grange (2)
Jeanluc Cilliers
Corné Fourie
Con: Shaun Reynolds (6)
Siya Masuku (3) 		Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni


12 May 2018 Welwitschias 12–54 Pumas Hage Geingob Stadium, Windhoek  
16:00 Try: PW Steenkamp (2)
Con: PW Steenkamp 		Scoreboard[9] Try: Cameron Lindsay
Jeandré Rudolph
Ruwellyn Isbell
Henko Marais
JP Lewis
Hugo Kloppers
Abrie Griesel
penalty try
Con: Justin van Staden (6) 		Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys
Bye/s: Blue Bulls XV

Round Five

[edit]
19 May 2018 Pumas 54–7 Falcons Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela  
15:00 Try: Marko Janse van Rensburg
Ruwellyn Isbell (5)
Hennie Skorbinski
JP Lewis
Con: Chris Smith (6)
Justin van Staden 		Scoreboard[10] Try: Anrich Richter
Con: Andrew van Wyk 		Referee: Paul Mente


20 May 2018 Blue Bulls XV 27–20 Golden Lions XV Bridgton Sports Grounds, Oudtshoorn  
13:00 Try: Boom Prinsloo
Duncan Matthews
Johan Grobbelaar
Jamba Ulengo
Con: Francois Brummer
Earll Douwrie
Pen: Earll Douwrie 		Scoreboard[11] Try: Vincent Tshituka
Siya Masuku
Con: Jeanluc Cilliers
Siya Masuku
Pen: Jeanluc Cilliers (2) 		Referee: Ruhan Meiring
Bye/s: Welwitschias

Round Six

[edit]
26 May 2018 Blue Bulls XV 22–34 Pumas Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria  
12:15 Try: Edgar Marutlulle
Jamba Ulengo
JT Jackson
Jaco Bezuidenhout
Con: Earll Douwrie 		Scoreboard[12] Try: Marko Janse van Rensburg
Ruwellyn Isbell (2)
Trompie Pretorius
Con: Chris Smith (3)
Justin van Staden
Pen: Chris Smith (2) 		Referee: Archie Sehlako


26 May 2018 Falcons 24–34 Welwitschias Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park  
15:00 Try: Thabo Mabuza
Andrew van Wyk
Marco Klopper
Martin Sithole
Con: André du Plessis (2) 		Scoreboard[13] Try: JC Winckler
PW Steenkamp
Janré du Toit
Johann Tromp
Con: PW Steenkamp (4)
Pen: PW Steenkamp (2) 		Referee: Vusi Msibi
Bye/s: Golden Lions XV

Round Seven

[edit]
2 June 2018 Welwitschias 31–47 Blue Bulls XV Hage Geingob Stadium, Windhoek  
16:00 Try: Rohan Kitshoff
Darryl de la Harpe
Johann Tromp
Niël van Vuuren
JC Greyling
Con: PW Steenkamp (3) 		Scoreboard[14] Try: Nqoba Mxoli
Johan Grobbelaar
Jamba Ulengo
Franco Naudé
Xolisa Guma (2)
Matthys Basson
Con: Andell Loubser (6) 		Referee: Jaco Pretorius


2 June 2018 Pumas 43–35 Golden Lions XV Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela  
15:00 Try: Stefan Willemse
Willie Engelbrecht
Stefan Ungerer
Gerrit Smith
Frank Herne
Alwayno Visagie
Con: Barend Smit
Justin van Staden (4)
Pen: Justin van Staden 		Scoreboard[15] Try: Sti Sithole
Wayne van der Bank
Jan-Louis la Grange
Marco Jansen van Vuren
Howard Mnisi
Con: Shaun Reynolds (5) 		Referee: AJ Jacobs
Bye/s: Falcons

Round Eight

[edit]
8 June 2018 Blue Bulls XV 37–32 Falcons Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria  
15:00 Try: Earll Douwrie
Nqoba Mxoli
Lian du Toit
Johan Grobbelaar
Jano Venter
Con: Earll Douwrie (3)
Pen: Earll Douwrie (2) 		Scoreboard[16] Try: Marco Klopper
Jacques Alberts
Robey Leibrandt
Martin Sithole
Con: André du Plessis (3)
Pen: André du Plessis (2) 		Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni


8 June 2018 Golden Lions XV 89–10 Welwitschias Wits Rugby Stadium, Johannesburg  
15:00 Try: Stephen Bhasera
Phumzile Maqondwana (2)
Morné van den Berg
Siya Masuku
Anthony Volmink
Eddie Fouché
Wayne van der Bank (2)
Selom Gavor
Darrien Landsberg
Austin Davids
penalty try
Con: Siya Masuku (5)
Jeanluc Cilliers (6) 		Scoreboard[17] Try: JC Winckler
Con: Dirk von Weidts
Pen: Aurelio Plato 		Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys
Bye/s: Pumas

Round Nine

[edit]
15 June 2018 Golden Lions XV 45–30 Falcons Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg  
15:00 Try: Chergin Fillies
James Venter
Vincent Tshituka
Anthony Volmink
Morné van den Berg
Courtnall Skosan
Con: Jeanluc Cilliers (6)
Pen: Jeanluc Cilliers 		Scoreboard[18] Try: Etienne Taljaard (2)
Hardus Pretorius (2)
Con: André du Plessis (2)
Pen: André du Plessis
Errol Jaggers 		Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys


16 June 2018 Pumas 94–3 Welwitschias Sasol Secunda  
15:00 Try: Simon Westraadt (2)
Le Roux Roets
Reynier van Rooyen (2)
Hennie Skorbinski
Alwayno Visagie
Morné Joubert (3)
Devon Williams (3)
Stefan Ungerer
Con: Barend Smit (3)
Chris Smith (9) 		Scoreboard[19] Pen: Tuna Amutenya Referee: Jaco Pretorius
Bye/s: Blue Bulls XV

Round Ten

[edit]
24 June 2018 Falcons 29–58 Pumas Bill Jardine Stadium, Johannesburg  
13:00 Try: Andrew Volschenk
Etienne Taljaard
Andries Truter (2)
Con: Anrich Richter (2)
Warren Potgieter
Pen: Anrich Richter 		Scoreboard[20] Try: Marko Janse van Rensburg (3)
Le Roux Roets
Jeandré Rudolph
Willie Engelbrecht
Ryan Nell
Devon Williams
Con: Chris Smith (5)
Barend Smit
Pen: Chris Smith (2) 		Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys


24 June 2018 Golden Lions XV 47–29 Blue Bulls XV Bill Jardine Stadium, Johannesburg  
15:00 Try: James Venter
Courtnall Skosan (3)
Ruan Combrinck (2)
Jacques van Rooyen
Con: Shaun Reynolds (5)
Ashlon Davids 		Scoreboard[21] Try: Jason Jenkins
Hanro Liebenberg
Ruben van Heerden
Franco Naudé
Con: Manie Libbok (3)
Pen: Manie Libbok 		Referee: Paul Mente
Bye/s: Welwitschias

Central Section

[edit]

Log

[edit]
2018 Rugby Challenge Central Section log
Pos Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1 Griquas 8 7 0 1 347 231 +116 47 34 7 1 36
2 Sharks XV 8 5 0 3 312 238 +74 45 35 7 2 29
3 Free State XV 8 6 0 2 251 212 +39 37 27 5 0 29
4 Griffons 8 1 0 7 265 301 −36 41 41 7 4 15
5 Leopards 8 1 0 7 202 395 −193 26 59 4 0 8

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
(2nd) 		10
(1st) 		10
(1st) 		12
(2nd) 		17
(2nd) 		22
(2nd) 		22
(2nd) 		26
(2nd) 		31
(1st) 		36
(1st) 		Won Won Lost
Sharks XV 1
(3rd) 		1
(4th) 		6
(4th) 		11
(3rd) 		12
(3rd) 		12
(3rd) 		17
(3rd) 		22
(3rd) 		24
(3rd) 		29
(2nd) 		Won Lost —
Free State XV 0
(4th) 		5
(3rd) 		10
(2nd) 		15
(1st) 		19
(1st) 		24
(1st) 		29
(1st) 		29
(1st) 		29
(2nd) 		29
(3rd) 		Won Lost —
Griffons 5
(1st) 		6
(2nd) 		7
(3rd) 		7
(4th) 		9
(4th) 		9
(4th) 		11
(4th) 		11
(4th) 		13
(4th) 		15
(4th) 		— — —
Leopards 0
(5th) 		0
(5th) 		0
(5th) 		1
(5th) 		1
(5th) 		2
(5th) 		2
(5th) 		3
(5th) 		8
(5th) 		8
(5th) 		— — —
Key: win draw loss bye

Matches

[edit]

Round One

[edit]
21 April 2018 Griquas 50–33 Sharks XV Tafel Lager Park, Kimberley  
15:00 Try: AJ le Roux (2)
Jono Janse van Rensburg
Louis Venter
Enver Brandt (3)
Con: André Swarts (3)
Pieter-Steyn de Wet (3)
Pen: André Swarts 		Scoreboard[22] Try: Grant Williams
Ilunga Mukendi (2)
Jeremy Ward
Morné Joubert
Con: Garth April (3)
Courtney Winnaar 		Referee: Quinton Immelman


21 April 2018 Leopards 21–47 Griffons Hoërskool Schweizer Reneke  
15:00 Try: Eugene Hare
Gene Willemse
HP Swart
Con: DP de Lange
Schalk Hugo (2) 		Scoreboard[23] Try: Warren Williams
Duan Pretorius (2)
Arthur Williams
Jaun Kotzé
Jean Pretorius (2)
Con: Jaun Kotzé (6) 		Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys
Bye/s: Free State XV

Round Two

[edit]
28 April 2018 Griquas 80–14 Leopards Hoërskool Diamantveld, Kimberley  
15:00 Try: AJ le Roux
Sias Koen (3)
Conway Pretorius (2)
André Swarts (2)
Enver Brandt (3)
Tythan Adams
Con: André Swarts (9)
Eric Zana 		Scoreboard[24] Try: HP Swart
Evardi Boshoff
Con: DP de Lange
Schalk Hugo 		Referee: Ben Crouse


28 April 2018 Griffons 31–56 Free State XV HT Pelatona Projects Stadium, Welkom  
15:30 Try: Anrich Alberts (3)
Joubert Engelbrecht (2)
Con: Jaun Kotzé (3) 		Scoreboard[25] Try: Günther Janse van Vuuren
Jasper Wiese
Ernst Stapelberg
Vuyani Maqina
Ali Mgijima
Tertius Kruger (3)
Con: Ernst Stapelberg (5)
Benhard Janse van Rensburg (3) 		Referee: Jaco Pretorius
Bye/s: Sharks XV

Round Three

[edit]
4 May 2018 Free State XV 40–20 Leopards Shimla Park, Bloemfontein  
18:00 Try: JP du Preez
Tertius Kruger
Marnus van der Merwe
Daniel Maartens
Aya Oliphant (2)
Con: Ernst Stapelberg (5) 		Scoreboard[26] Try: Tiaan Bezuidenhout
Boela Venter
Con: Schalk Hugo
DP de Lange
Pen: Schalk Hugo (2) 		Referee: Paul Mente


5 May 2018 Sharks XV 33–22 Griffons Kings Park Stadium, Durban  
14:45 Try: Hyron Andrews
Garth April
Leolin Zas
Jeremy Ward
Grant Williams
Con: Garth April (3)
Danrich Visagie 		Scoreboard[27] Try: Anrich Alberts
Gavin Annandale
Neil Claassen
Cody Basson
Con: Jaun Kotzé 		Referee: Ricus van der Hoven
Bye/s: Griquas

Round Four

[edit]
13 May 2018 Griquas 31–32 Free State XV Rustenburg Impala Rugby Club, Rustenburg  
13:00 Try: Pieter Jansen van Vuren
Conway Pretorius
Enver Brandt
Kyle Steyn (2)
Con: Pieter-Steyn de Wet (3) 		Scoreboard[28] Try: Gerhard Olivier
Ernst Stapelberg
Tertius Kruger
JP Coetzee
Con: Ernst Stapelberg (3)
Pen: Ernst Stapelberg (2) 		Referee: AJ Jacobs


13 May 2018 Leopards 28–57 Sharks XV Rustenburg Impala Rugby Club, Rustenburg  
15:00 Try: Gideon van der Merwe
Gene Willemse
Bradley Moolman
Justin Newman
Con: Schalk Hugo (3)
DP de Lange 		Scoreboard[29] Try: Hyron Andrews
Kwanda Dimaza
Tera Mtembu
Grant Williams
Leolin Zas
Johan Deysel
Aphelele Fassi
Courtney Winnaar
Tristan Blewett
Con: Garth April (5)
Danrich Visagie 		Referee: Paul Mente
Bye/s: Griffons

Round Five

[edit]
18 May 2018 Free State XV 12–10 Sharks XV Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein  
18:00 Try: Reinach Venter
Tertius Kruger
Con: Ernst Stapelberg 		Scoreboard[30] Try: Tera Mtembu
Con: Danrich Visagie
Pen: Danrich Visagie 		Referee: AJ Jacobs


19 May 2018 Griquas 38–37 Griffons Sivos Stadium, Kathu  
15:00 Try: AJ Coertzen
Kyle Steyn (2)
Christopher Bosch
Jono Janse van Rensburg
Con: Pieter-Steyn de Wet (3)
André Swarts (2)
Pen: André Swarts 		Scoreboard[31] Try: Shirwin Cupido
Cody Basson (2)
Neil Claassen
Rodney Damons (2)
Vincent Maruping
Con: Jaun Kotzé 		Referee: Ben Crouse
Bye/s: Leopards

Round Six

[edit]
25 May 2018 Leopards 31–46 Griquas Fanie du Toit Sport Ground, Potchefstroom  
15:00 Try: Joe Smith
Louis van der Westhuizen
Evardi Boshoff
Justin Newman
Con: Schalk Hugo (4)
Pen: Schalk Hugo 		Scoreboard[32] Try: Christiaan Meyer
Enver Brandt (4)
FP Pelser
Ederies Arendse
Con: André Swarts
George Whitehead (2)
Ederies Arendse
Pen: André Swarts 		Referee: Quinton Immelman


25 May 2018 Free State XV 33–19 Griffons Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein  
18:00 Try: Erich de Jager
Niell Jordaan
Jasper Wiese
Ruan van Rensburg
penalty try
Con: Ernst Stapelberg (3) 		Scoreboard[33] Try: Rodney Damons
Jaun Kotzé
Danie van der Merwe
Con: Jaun Kotzé (2) 		Referee: Ruhan Meiring
Bye/s: Sharks XV

Round Seven

[edit]
1 June 2018 Leopards 26–38 Free State XV Fanie du Toit Sport Ground, Potchefstroom  
15:00 Try: Stairs Mhlongo
Gene Willemse
Con: Schalk Hugo (2)
Pen: Schalk Hugo (4) 		Scoreboard[34] Try: Joseph Dweba
Günther Janse van Vuuren
Niell Jordaan
Ernst Stapelberg
Daniel Maartens
Zee Mkhabela
Con: Ernst Stapelberg
Benhard Janse van Rensburg (3) 		Referee: Archie Sehlako


2 June 2018 Griffons 43–45 Sharks XV HT Pelatona Projects Stadium, Welkom  
15:00 Try: JP Mans
Cody Basson
Rodney Damons
Duan Pretorius
Jean Pretorius
Ezrick Alexander
Con: Jaun Kotzé (5)
Pen: Jaun Kotzé 		Scoreboard[35] Try: Tera Mtembu
Aphelele Fassi
Jeremy Ward
Tristan Blewett (2)
Grant Williams
Con: Danrich Visagie (6)
Pen: Danrich Visagie 		Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys
Bye/s: Griquas

Round Eight

[edit]
8 June 2018 Free State XV 19–27 Griquas Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein  
18:00 Try: Niell Jordaan
Jasper Wiese
Sango Xamlashe
Con: Benhard Janse van Rensburg (2) 		Scoreboard[36] Try: Pieter Jansen van Vuren
Christopher Bosch
Con: George Whitehead
Pen: George Whitehead (5) 		Referee: Jaco Pretorius


9 June 2018 Sharks XV 52–24 Leopards Piet Retief Rugby Club  
17:00 Try: Khutha Mchunu
Tera Mtembu
Jeremy Ward
Aphelele Fassi (2)
Andrew du Plessis
Leolin Zas
Con: Danrich Visagie (5)
Aphelele Fassi (2)
Pen: Danrich Visagie 		Scoreboard[37] Try: Dane van der Westhuyzen
Chriswill September
Bradley Moolman
Frans Botha
Con: DP de Lange (2) 		Referee: Ricus van der Hoven
Bye/s: Griffons

Round Nine

[edit]
16 June 2018 Griffons 35–38 Leopards HT Pelatona Projects Stadium, Welkom  
15:00 Try: Anrich Alberts
Vincent Maruping
Jaun Kotzé
Duan Pretorius
Ezrick Alexander
Con: Jaun Kotzé (5) 		Scoreboard[38] Try: Robert Hunt
Gideon van der Merwe
Schalk Hugo
Eugene Hare (2)
Con: Schalk Hugo (5)
Pen: Schalk Hugo 		Referee: Ricus van der Hoven


17 June 2018 Sharks XV 34–38 Griquas Sisa Dukashe Stadium, Mdantsane  
13:00 Try: Jacques Vermeulen
Leolin Zas
Marius Louw
Jeremy Ward
Courtney Winnaar
Con: Garth April
Rhyno Smith (2)
Pen: Rhyno Smith 		Scoreboard[39] Try: Khwezi Mkhafu
Tythan Adams
Johnathan Francke
Godfrey Ramaboea
Luxolo Ntsepe
Con: George Whitehead (5)
Pen: George Whitehead 		Referee: AJ Jacobs
Bye/s: Free State XV

Round Ten

[edit]
23 June 2018 Griffons 31–37 Griquas HT Pelatona Projects Stadium, Welkom  
15:30 Try: Barend Potgieter
Cody Basson
Danie van der Merwe
Joubert Engelbrecht
Con: Jaun Kotzé (3)
Duan Pretorius
Pen: Jaun Kotzé 		Scoreboard[40] Try: De Wet Kruger
Louis Venter (2)
Godfrey Ramaboea
Con: George Whitehead (4)
Pen: George Whitehead (3) 		Referee: Archie Sehlako


23 June 2018 Sharks XV 48–21 Free State XV Princess Magogo Stadium, KwaMashu  
17:00 Try: Ross Geldenhuys
Wian Vosloo
Louis Schreuder (2)
Marius Louw (2)
Jeremy Ward
Con: Curwin Bosch (3)
Garth April (2)
Pen: Curwin Bosch 		Scoreboard[41] Try: Marnus van der Merwe (2)
penalty try
Con: Lloyd Greeff
Benhard Janse van Rensburg 		Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Bye/s: Leopards

Southern Section

[edit]

Log

[edit]
2018 Rugby Challenge Southern Section log
Pos Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1 Western Province 8 7 1 0 360 145 +215 55 20 7 0 37
2 Boland Cavaliers 8 4 1 3 234 192 +42 35 26 5 2 25
3 SWD Eagles 8 5 0 3 215 240 −25 28 36 4 0 24
4 Border Bulldogs 8 2 0 6 157 258 −101 22 38 2 1 11
5 Eastern Province Elephants 8 1 0 7 180 311 −131 25 45 4 2 10

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) 		14
(1st) 		14
(1st) 		19
(1st) 		24
(1st) 		29
(1st) 		32
(1st) 		32
(1st) 		37
(1st) 		Lost — —
Boland Cavaliers 5
(2nd) 		5
(2nd) 		6
(3rd) 		11
(2nd) 		16
(2nd) 		16
(2nd) 		16
(2nd) 		19
(2nd) 		21
(3rd) 		25
(2nd) 		Lost — —
SWD Eagles 0
(3rd) 		5
(3rd) 		10
(2nd) 		10
(3rd) 		10
(3rd) 		10
(3rd) 		15
(3rd) 		19
(3rd) 		24
(2nd) 		24
(3rd) 		— — —
Border Bulldogs 0
(4th) 		0
(4th) 		0
(5th) 		4
(4th) 		4
(4th) 		9
(4th) 		10
(4th) 		11
(4th) 		11
(4th) 		11
(4th) 		— — —
Eastern Province Elephants 0
(5th) 		0
(5th) 		0
(4th) 		1
(5th) 		3
(5th) 		4
(5th) 		5
(5th) 		5
(5th) 		10
(5th) 		10
(5th) 		— — —
Key: win draw loss bye

Matches

[edit]

Round One

[edit]
22 April 2018 Boland Cavaliers 51–24 Border Bulldogs Wolfson Stadium, KwaZakele  
13:00 Try: Clinton Theron
Zandré Jordaan
Edwin Sass
Charlie Mayeza (3)
Sergio Torrens (2)
Con: Elgar Watts (4)
Pen: Elgar Watts 		Scoreboard[42] Try: Billy Dutton
Athenkosi Manentsa (2)
Con: Bangi Kobese (3)
Pen: Bangi Kobese 		Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni


22 April 2018 Eastern Province Elephants 12–59 Western Province Wolfson Stadium, KwaZakele  
15:00 Try: Alandré van Rooyen
Dries van Schalkwyk
Con: Henrique Olivier 		Scoreboard[43] Try: Jean-Luc du Plessis (2)
Tristan Leyds
Chad Solomon
Grant Hermanus (2)
Duncan Saal (2)
Michal Haznar
Con: Joshua Stander (5)
Grant Hermanus (2) 		Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Bye/s: SWD Eagles

Round Two

[edit]
28 April 2018 Eastern Province Elephants 20–34 SWD Eagles Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth  
12:15 Try: Alandré van Rooyen
Rowan Gouws
Dewald Barnard
Con: Henrique Olivier
Pen: Henrique Olivier 		Scoreboard[44] Try: Jacques Vermaak
Marlo Weich
Leighton Eksteen
Tyler Fisher (2)
Con: Divan Nel (2)
Leighton Eksteen
Pen: Divan Nel 		Referee: Quinton Immelman


28 April 2018 Border Bulldogs 7–36 Western Province Buffalo City Stadium, East London  
15:00 Try: penalty try Scoreboard[45] Try: Johan du Toit
Joshua Stander
Duncan Saal (3)
Labib Kannemeyer
Con: Joshua Stander (3) 		Referee: Paul Mente
Bye/s: Boland Cavaliers

Round Three

[edit]
4 May 2018 SWD Eagles 38–20 Border Bulldogs Outeniqua Park, George  
18:00 Try: Teunis Nieuwoudt
Janneman Stander
Tyler Fisher (2)
Leighton Eksteen
Con: Divan Nel (5)
Pen: Divan Nel 		Scoreboard[46] Try: Soso Xakalashe
Sonwabiso Mqalo (2)
Con: Bangi Kobese
Pen: Bangi Kobese 		Referee: Quinton Immelman


5 May 2018 Western Province 23–21 Boland Cavaliers Newlands Stadium, Cape Town  
12:15 Try: Herschel Jantjies (2)
Edwill van der Merwe
Con: Joshua Stander
Pen: Joshua Stander (2) 		Scoreboard[47] Try: Ludio Williams
Jovelian de Koker
Valentino Wellman
Con: Elgar Watts (3) 		Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Bye/s: Eastern Province Elephants

Round Four

[edit]
11 May 2018 Border Bulldogs 22–17 Eastern Province Elephants Buffalo City Stadium, East London  
19:00 Try: Lelethu Gcilitshana
Sipho Nofemele (2)
Con: Bangi Kobese (2)
Pen: Bangi Kobese 		Scoreboard[48] Try: JP Smith
Siyanda Grey
Con: Ruben de Vos (2)
Drop: Ruben de Vos 		Referee: Ruhan Meiring


12 May 2018 Boland Cavaliers 37–12 SWD Eagles Wesbank Sports Grounds, Malmesbury  
14:00 Try: Zandré Jordaan
Jovelian de Koker
Valentino Wellman
Edwin Sass (2)
Sergio Torrens
Con: Elgar Watts (2)
Pen: Jacquin Jansen 		Scoreboard[49] Try: Marlou van Niekerk
Leighton Eksteen
Con: Leighton Eksteen 		Referee: Jaco Pretorius
Bye/s: Western Province

Round Five

[edit]
19 May 2018 Boland Cavaliers 40–37 Eastern Province Elephants Montagu  
15:00 Try: Rinus Bothma
Valentino Wellman (2)
Kenan Cronjé
Rayno Benjamin
Charlie Mayeza
Con: Elgar Watts (4)
Adriaan Carelse 		Scoreboard[50] Try: Xandré Vos
Johan van Wyk
Brandon Brown
Zingisa April
Con: Ruben de Vos (4)
Pen: Ruben de Vos (3) 		Referee: Vusi Msibi


20 May 2018 SWD Eagles 3–50 Western Province Bridgton Sports Grounds, Oudtshoorn  
15:00 Pen: Leighton Eksteen Scoreboard[51] Try: Jaco Coetzee
Justin Phillips
Joshua Stander
Duncan Saal
Craig Barry (2)
Brenden Esterhuizen
Stephan de Wit
Con: Joshua Stander (5) 		Referee: Quinton Immelman
Bye/s: Border Bulldogs

Round Six

[edit]
25 May 2018 Border Bulldogs 29–14 Boland Cavaliers Buffalo City Stadium, East London  
19:00 Try: Somila Mantyoyi
Sipho Nofemele
Sino Nyoka
Somila Jho
Con: Bangi Kobese (3)
Drop: Aphiwe Stemele 		Scoreboard[52] Try: Francois Esterhuyzen
Jacquin Jansen
Con: Elgar Watts (2) 		Referee: Ben Crouse


26 May 2018 Eastern Province Elephants 28–75 Western Province Kemsley Park  
14:00 Try: Brandon Brown
JP Smith
Ruben de Vos
Dewald Barnard
Con: Ruben de Vos (4) 		Scoreboard[53] Try: Johan du Toit
Chris Massyn
Luke Stringer
Daniël du Plessis (2)
Tristan Leyds
Chad Solomon
Stephan de Wit
Grant Hermanus
Edwill van der Merwe
Duncan Saal
Con: Joshua Stander (6)
Tristan Leyds (4) 		Referee: Paul Mente
Bye/s: SWD Eagles

Round Seven

[edit]
2 June 2018 SWD Eagles 47–28 Eastern Province Elephants Rosemore Stadium, George  
15:00 Try: Ruben Schoeman
Johan Steyn
Alshaun Bock
Marlou van Niekerk
Tyler Fisher
Leighton Eksteen
Janneman Stander
Con: Leighton Eksteen (6) 		Scoreboard[54] Try: Josh Kota
Nkululeko Marwana
Riaan Arends
Quinton Haasbroek
Con: Ruben de Vos (4) 		Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni


2 June 2018 Western Province 52–24 Border Bulldogs False Bay RFC  
15:00 Try: Jaco Coetzee
Justin Phillips
Daniël du Plessis
Duncan Saal (2)
Craig Barry
Herschel Jantjies
Cornel Smit
Con: Tristan Leyds (5)
Tiaan Swanepoel 		Scoreboard[55] Try: Maliviwe Simanga
Somila Jho
Foxy Ntleki
Lukhanyo Nomzanga
Con: Aphiwe Stemele (2) 		Referee: Quinton Immelman
Bye/s: Boland Cavaliers

Round Eight

[edit]
8 June 2018 Border Bulldogs 17–24 SWD Eagles Buffalo City Stadium, East London  
19:00 Try: Somila Jho
Sipho Nofemele
Con: Aphiwe Stemele
Mbembe Payi
Pen: Aphiwe Stemele 		Scoreboard[56] Try: Johan Steyn
Adri Jacobs
Marlou van Niekerk
Con: Leighton Eksteen (3)
Pen: Leighton Eksteen 		Referee: Paul Mente


9 June 2018 Boland Cavaliers 24–24 Western Province Esselen Park Stadium  
14:15 Try: Elgar Watts
Charlie Mayeza
Sergio Torrens (2)
Con: Elgar Watts (2) 		Scoreboard[57] Try: Edwill van der Merwe
Daniël du Plessis
Juarno Augustus (2)
Con: Joshua Stander (2) 		Referee: AJ Jacobs
Bye/s: Eastern Province Elephants

Round Nine

[edit]
15 June 2018 SWD Eagles 31–27 Boland Cavaliers Outeniqua Park, George  
18:00 Try: Adri Jacobs
Tyler Fisher
Alshaun Bock
Leighton Eksteen
Con: Leighton Eksteen (4)
Pen: Leighton Eksteen 		Scoreboard[58] Try: Charlie Mayeza
Kenan Cronjé
Clinton Theron
Sergio Torrens
Con: Elgar Watts (2)
Pen: Elgar Watts 		Referee: Paul Mente


17 June 2018 Border Bulldogs 14–26 Eastern Province Elephants Sisa Dukashe Stadium, Mdantsane  
15:00 Try: Johannes Janse van Rensburg
Athenkosi Manentsa
Con: Mbembe Payi
Bangi Kobese 		Scoreboard[59] Try: Xandré Vos
Riaan Arends
Anele Lungisa
Michael Botha
Con: Michael Botha
Ruben de Vos (2) 		Referee: Archie Sehlako
Bye/s: Western Province

Round Ten

[edit]
22 June 2018 Western Province 41–26 SWD Eagles Brookside, Cape Town  
15:00 Try: Juarno Augustus
Joshua Stander
Daniël du Plessis
Dean Muir
EW Viljoen
penalty try
Con: Joshua Stander (3)
Pen: Joshua Stander 		Scoreboard[60] Try: Nicolaas Immelman
Johan Steyn
Con: Leighton Eksteen (2)
Pen: Leighton Eksteen (4) 		Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni


23 June 2018 Eastern Province Elephants 12–20 Boland Cavaliers WJ de Wet Stadium, Despatch  
15:00 Try: Josh Kota
Brandon Brown
Con: Simon Bolze 		Scoreboard[61] Try: Arnout Malherbe
Ludio Williams
Con: Elgar Watts (2)
Pen: Elgar Watts (2) 		Referee: Ben Crouse
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 Pumas Northern Section 39 +256
2 Western Province Southern Section 37 +213
3 Griquas Central Section 36 +116
Section runners-up
Seeding Team Section PD Pts
4 Sharks XV Central Section 29 +74
5 Golden Lions XV Northern Section 28 +154
6 Boland Cavaliers Southern Section 25 +42
Section third-placed teams
Seeding Team Section PD Pts
7 Free State XV Central Section 29 +39
8 Blue Bulls XV Northern Section 27 +62
9 SWD Eagles Southern Section 24 −23

Quarterfinals

[edit]
30 June 2018 Pumas 30–24 Blue Bulls XV Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela  
12:30 Try: Marné Coetzee
Jeandré Rudolph
Frank Herne
Con: Chris Smith (2)
Justin van Staden
Pen: Chris Smith (3) 		Scoreboard[62] Try: Dewald Maritz
Xolisa Guma (2)
Earll Douwrie
Con: Tinus de Beer
Earll Douwrie 		Referee: Quinton Immelman


30 June 2018 Griquas 51–22 Boland Cavaliers Tafel Lager Park, Kimberley  
14:00 Try: Conway Pretorius
Kyle Steyn
Ederies Arendse
AJ Coertzen (2)
De Wet Kruger
Con: George Whitehead (4)
André Swarts (2)
Pen: George Whitehead (3) 		Scoreboard[63] Try: Rinus Bothma
Edwin Sass
Charlie Mayeza
Con: Elgar Watts (2)
Pen: Elgar Watts 		Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys


30 June 2018 Sharks XV 55–12 Golden Lions XV Jonsson Kings Park, Durban  
14:15 Try: Tera Mtembu
Grant Williams
Garth April (2)
Courtney Winnaar (2)
Tristan Blewett
Con: Garth April (6)
Danrich Visagie
Pen: Garth April (2) 		Scoreboard[64] Try: James Venter
Wandisile Simelane
Con: Shaun Reynolds 		Referee: Paul Mente


1 July 2018 Western Province 20–26 Free State XV Green Point Track, Cape Town  
14:30 Try: Tristan Leyds
David Brits
Con: Grant Hermanus (2)
Pen: Grant Hermanus (2) 		Scoreboard[65] Try: Jasper Wiese
Carel-Jan Coetzee (2)
Benhard Janse van Rensburg
Con: Benhard Janse van Rensburg (3) 		Referee: Ben Crouse

Semifinals

[edit]
6 July 2018 Pumas 30–17 Sharks XV Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela  
19:00 Try: Stefan Ungerer
Ruwellyn Isbell
De-Jay Terblanche
Con: Chris Smith (3)
Pen: Chris Smith (3) 		Scoreboard[66] Try: Gideon Koegelenberg
Kwanda Dimaza
Con: Garth April
Danrich Visagie
Pen: Garth April 		Referee: AJ Jacobs


8 July 2018 Griquas 27–14 Free State XV Tafel Lager Park, Kimberley  
15:00 Try: Khwezi Mkhafu
Pieter Jansen van Vuren
Kyle Steyn
Con: George Whitehead (3)
Pen: George Whitehead (2) 		Scoreboard[67] Try: Jasper Wiese
Carel-Jan Coetzee
Con: Ernst Stapelberg (2) 		Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni

Final

[edit]
15 July 2018 Pumas 32–30 Griquas Bridgton Sports Grounds, Oudtshoorn  
14:30 Try: Marko Janse van Rensburg (2)
Stefan Willemse
Morné Joubert
Con: Chris Smith (3)
Pen: Chris Smith
Drop: Justin van Staden 		Scoreboard[68] Try: Kyle Steyn
Johnathan Francke
AJ Coertzen
Con: George Whitehead (3)
Pen: George Whitehead (3) 		Referee: Quinton Immelman

Honours

[edit]

The honour roll for the 2018 Rugby Challenge was as follows:

2018 Rugby Challenge
Champions: Pumas (1st title)
Top points scorer: Chris Smith, Pumas (131)
Top try scorer: Enver Brandt, Griquas (11)

Players

[edit]

Squads

[edit]

The following squads were named for the 2018 Rugby Challenge: