WP XV 52-33 Griffons: Craven Week 2026 Report

Western Province XV 52-33 Griffons: one of the great comebacks of this year's FNB U18 Craven Week at Grey High School in Gqeberha. The Cape side trailed by eleven at the break, looked completely second-best for the opening forty minutes, and then produced a second-half performance of extraordinary intensity to run away with a nineteen-point victory.

Griffons were magnificent early. A penalty opened the account, then two converted tries in quick succession put the Free State combination firmly in control. At 0-17, Province looked rattled. The Griffons squad, built heavily around Welkom Gim and Trio, had clearly prepared meticulously, and their direct, physical brand of rugby was pulling WP apart.

Province finally responded with a try of their own, but Griffons punched back immediately with another penalty to stretch the lead to fifteen. A converted try just before the whistle gave WP some hope, but at 12-23 they had it all to do. Eleven points down at the interval — daunting for any side, let alone a schoolboy XV with the weight of the Western Province jersey on their backs.

What happened after the restart was something else entirely. Province converted a try before the Griffons even had time to settle — suddenly 14-23. Then another try levelled the momentum. Then two more in rapid succession, with a conversion added, and suddenly the Province bench was on its feet: 33-23 and the game had turned completely on its head.

Griffons showed real character to hit back and close it to 33-28, but Province were relentless. Two more converted tries stretched the lead to seventeen. Griffons scored again to make it 45-33 and remind everyone they were still in the contest, but a final converted try sealed a stunning turnaround. The Paarl Boys High and Paul Roos contingent driving Province's backline appeared to grow in stature with every passing minute of that second half.

The final score, 52-33, flatters neither side — Griffons were excellent for long stretches — but Province's comeback will be talked about all week. Both teams remain in contention for the competition pool standings, and on this evidence, either side is capable of producing rugby that lights up Grey's famous fields.