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Griquas remain only unbeaten side

Still unbeaten in the hunt to qualify, Griquas remain the hot favourites to contest this year’s Currie Cup competition alongside the other so called bigger unions.

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The EP Kings stood firm in the closing stages to claim a 19-14 victory over the Blue Bulls in their new provincial tournament rugby fixture at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth.

Boland Cavaliers brushed aside the Leopards with a bonus-point 43-31 victory in their  clash at the Johann du Randt Stadium in Potchefstroom.

While Free State XV claimed a valuable 29-15 away bonus-point victory over the Golden Lions in their provincial tournament match at the Diggers Rugby Club in Randburg.

In the final match of the round, The Sharks XV secured a late 24-16 victory over Western Province at Kings Park.

EP Kings 19-14 Blue Bulls

Eastern Province drew first blood as early as the fifth minute as flyhalf Garrick Mattheus slotted a penalty from distance.

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The Blue Bulls spent time settling down but they were sparked into action by a fine individualistic try by their flyhalf Joshua Stander who started his attack on the EP Kings 10 metre line, kicked ahead and then picked up the ball to scored under the uprights. He kicked his own conversion.

The EP Kings closed to deficit to a point after 26 minutes with second Mattheus penalty.

The home side then regained the lead in the 31st minute as loosehead prop Liam Hendricks crashed over for a try after receiving an inside pass from tighthead prop Louis Albertse. Mattheus added the two points.

The EP Kings started well after the break and forced two penalties out of the Blue Bulls that Mattheus calmly slotted to see the home side leading 19-7.

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However, the Blue Bulls bounced back and after sustained pressure replacement prop Dean Greyling forced his way over from close out. Stander kicked the conversion.

The match closed out with the Blue Bulls exerting tremendous pressure on the EP Kings’ tryline. But the home team stood firm to claim the win.

Scorers:

For EP Kings:

Tries: Hendricks

Cons: Mattheus

Pens: Garrick Mattheus 4

For Blue Bulls:

Tries: Stander, Greyling

Cons: Stander 2

Teams:

EP Kings: 15 Lindelwe Zungu , 14 Athi Mayinje, 13 JP du Plessis, 12 Jeremy Ward (Captain), 11 Siphu Msutwana, 10 Garrick Mattheus, 9 Franswa Ueckermann, 8 Jacques Engelbrecht, 7 Stephanus Nieuwoudt, 6 Juan Jonck, 5 Cornell Hess, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Louis Albertse, 2 Martin Bezuidenhout, 1 Liam Hendricks.

Replacements: 16 Warrick Venter, 17 David Murray, 18 Philip Du Preez, 19 Stephan Zaayman, 20 Sibusiso Ngcokovane, 21 Jordan Koekemoer, 22 Somila Jho.

Blue Bulls: 15 Duncan Matthews , 14 Kefentse Mahlo, 13 Alcino Izaacs, 12 Adrian Maebane, 11 Jade Stighling, 10 Joshua Stander, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Renaldo Bothma, 7 Nic de Jager, 6 Ruan Steenkamp, 5 Nico Janse van Rensburg, 4 Abongile Nonkontwana, 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Corniel Els, 1 Mox Mxoli.

Replacements: 16 Jan Van der Merwe, 17 Dean Greyling, 18 Aston Fortuin, 19 Freddy Ngoza, 20 Andre Warner, 21 Imanuel Libbok, 22 Duhan van der Merwe.

Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge

Boland Cavaliers 43-31 Leopards

The victory lifts the Cavaliers up to second on the log with 15 points while the Leopards are languishing third-from-bottom with just six points from four matches as the visitors ran in six tries to the five of their hosts.

Boland raced into a 14-point lead within the first eight minutes of the match as they ran in two converted tries through flyhalf Theuns Kotze and right wing Sergio Torrens with Kotze being spot on with the boot.

The hosts recovered quickly and ran in their first unconverted try three minutes later through their captain and Number 8 Jeandre Rudolph before Kotze restored a 12-point lead with a penalty 12 minutes before the break. The Leopards never gave up, pressing the visitors hard which resulted in a converted try though outside centre Johan Deysel which flyhalf Schalk Hugo converted.

With the hosts just five points off the pace and the first half coming to a close, Boland gave themselves a cushion when Torrens ran in for his second try of the afternoon. Kotze converted to hand the Cavaliers a handy 12-point lead at the break.

The second stanza followed the same script as the first with Boland racing away into the distance as the centre-pairing of Ryan Nell and Christopher Bosch both burst over the tryline for converted tries that left the hosts 26 points adrift.

With just 10 minutes left on the stadium clock, Deysel cut inside and burst through the defence to score his second try of the afternoon and with replacement flyhalf Benhard Janse van Rensburg converting, the Leopards felt they had some belief of pulling this game out of the fire. That was enhanced just two minutes later as fullback Gene Williemse crossed the line in the corner but Janse van Rensburg was unable to convert, leaving the Leopards still 14 points off the pace.

Replacement utility back, Edwin Sass then rubbed salt into the wounds of the hapless Leopards as he crossed over for an unconverted try to all but seal the game with just six minutes left. But the Leopards managed to round off another poor afternoon with a consolation try through their captain, Rudolph with Janse van Rensburg knocking the ball between the sticks.

SCORERS:

Leopards:

Tries: Deysel 2, Rudolph 2, Willemse

Cons: Hugo, Janse van Renseburg 2

Boland Kavaliers:

Tries: Torrens 2, Kotze, Nel, Bosch, Sass

Cons: Kotze 5

Pen: Kotze.

Teams:

Boland Cavaliers: 15 Adriaan Carelse, 14 Sergio Torrens, 13 Ryan Nell (Captain), 12 Christopher Bosch, 11 Danwel Demas, 10 Theuns Kotze, 9 Marnus Hugo, 8 Zandre Jordaan, 7 Shaun McDonald, 6 Shaun Adendorff, 5 Ockert van Zyl, 4 Hanno Kitshoff, 3 Basil Short, 2 Francois Esterhuyzen, 1 SP Wessels.

Replacements: 16 Chadley Wenn, 17 Francois Hanekom, 18 Ferdie Horn, 19 Wayne Wilschut, 20 Gerhard Jordaan, 21 William van Wyk, 22 Edwin Sass.

Leopards: 15 Gene Willemse, 14 Rowayne Beukman, 13 Johan Deysel, 12 Adrian Vermeulen, 11 Bradley Moolman, 10 Schalk Hugo, 9 Malherbe Swart, 8 Jeandre Rudolph (Captain), 7 Loftus Morrison, 6 Marno Redelinghuys, 5 Walt Steenkamp, 4 Ruan Venter, 3 Bart le Roux, 2 Wilmar Arnoldi, 1 Mashudu Mafela.

Replacements: 16 Louis van der Westhuizen, 17 Nhlanhla Ngcamu, 18 Danie Jordaan, 19 Molotsi Bouwer, 20 Chriswill September, 21 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 22 Dean Stokes.

Referee: Jaco Van Heerden

Griquas 21-12 Border

Griquas did not have the easiest of outings against Border, with the visitors doing their bit to put the hosts under pressure early on. The East London based side’s chances of qualifying are all but over, but that did not stop them from taking the game to the Peacock Blues from the get go.

A early try by Griquas winger AJ Coertzen in the 5th minute and conversion by flyhalf Clinton Swart predicted a long afternoon for Border, but what followed was good defence by the visitors that fizzled all the hosts chances on the attack.

Centre Jonathan Francke’s try in the 35th minute seemed like just reward for Griquas patience on the attack and the conversion that followed gave the hosts a 12 point lead. Border looked after their possession and made use of it just before halftime as lock Wandile Putuma burst over for an unconverted five pointer to make it 14-5 at the break.

Tactical subs on both sides 10 minutes after the second half resumed meant another ten minutes of high impact play before Griquas replacement scrum half Rudi van Rooyen went over for what was to be the hosts last try of the afternoon.

Ntabeni Dukisa converted, but Border kept pushing and got just reward for their prowess as full back Maxisole Banda scored and converted his own try five minutes from fulltime. A yellow card near the end to hooker Mihlali Mpafi left the visitors one man short, but Griquas couldn’t capitalise.

Scorers:

For Griquas:

Tries: Le Roux, Francke, van Rooyen

Cons: Swart, Francke, Dukisa

For Border:

Tries: Banda, Putuma

Cons: Banda

Teams:

Griquas: 15 Eric Zana , 14 AJ Coertzen, 13 JW Jonker, 12 Jonathan Francke, 11 Alshaun Bock, 10 Clinton Swart, 9 Tiaan Dorfling, 8 Jason-Collin Fraser, 7 RJ Liebenberg (Captain), 6 Wendal Wehr, 5 Mzwanele Zito, 4 Jono Janse van Rensburg, 3 Ewald van der Westhuizen, 2 AJ Le Roux, 1 Devon Martinus.

Replacements: 16 Marius Fourie, 17 Stephan Kotze, 18 David Antonites, 19 Sias Koen, 20 Rudi van Rooyen, 21 Ntabeni Dukisa, 22 Ederies Arendse.

Border: 15 Masixole Banda, 14 Makazole Mapimpi, 13 Sonwabiso Mqalo, 12 Lunga Dumezweni, 11 Michael Makase, 10 Thembani Mkokeli, 9 Zukisani Tywaleni, 8 Billy Dutton, 7 Siya Mdaka (Captain), 6 Lukhanyo Nomzanga, 5 Wandile Putuma, 4 Lindokuhle Welemu, 3 Johannes Jonker, 2 Ludwe Booi, 1 Blake Kyd.

Replacements: 16 Mihlali Mpafi, 17 Buhle Mxunyelwa, 18 Siyamthanda Ngande, 19 Nkosi Nofuma, 20 Sibabalwe Mtsulwana, 21 Lundi Ralarala, 22 Logan Basson.

Pumas 47-7 Welwitschias

Puman and Welwitschais could not ask for better conditions when their faced off against each other in the fifth Currie Cup tournament. Pumas forwards dominated their opppenents and Lambert Groenewald was rewarded with a converted try in the 12th minute.

Francious du Toit powered his way over the line for his second try and Van Staden added the exstra points. Just a minute later, Groenewald scored his second try with Van Staden not missing the target.

The first chance for Welwitschais came in the 27th minute, but Pumas poached it and in the 34th minute De-Jay Terblanche crossed the line, with Van Staden adding the extras.

Pumas lead 35-0 at the break.

Secondhalf the visitors had more ball in hand, but the Pumas' defence kept them from scoring. Eventually it was Hennie Skorbinski who opened up the secondhalf scoring with a driving try for the Pumas with debutant, Marlou van Niekerk adding the extra two.

Russel van Wyk crossed for the Welwitschias, with Justin Nel adding the extra points. Francois du Toit scored his third try to seal the comfortable 47-7 victory.

Scorers:

For Pumas:

Tries: Du Toit 3, Groenewald 2, De-Jay Terblance, Skorbinski

Cons: Van Staden 5, Van Niekerk

For Welwitschias:

Tries: Van Wyk

Cons: Nel

Teams:

Pumas: 15 Heinrich Steyl, 14 Deon Helberg, 13 Hoffman Maritz (Captain), 12 Hennie Skorbinski, 11 Marcello Sampson, 10 Justin van Staden, 9 Emile Temperman, 8 Lambert Groenewald, 7 Nardus van der Walt, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Jannie Stander, 4 Wiehan Hay, 3 Marne Coetzee, 2 Francois Du Toit, 1 DJ Terblanche.

Replacements: 16 Frankie Herne, 17 Khwezi Mona, 18 Stephan Greeff, 19 Carel Greeff, 20 Johan Herbst, 21 Marlou van Niekerk, 22 Tyler Fisher.

Welwitschias:15 Johann Tromp, 14 Lesley Klim, 13 Darryl de la Harpe, 12 Francois Wiese, 11 Russell van Wyk, 10 Shaun Kaizemi, 9 Arthur Bouwer, 8 Leneve Damens, 7 Joe Herrmann, 6 Rohan Kitshoff (Captain), 5 Ruan Ludick, 4 Munio Kasiringua, 3 AJ de Klerk, 2 Carel Swanepoel, 1 Shaun Du Preez.

Replacements: 16 Hauta Veii, 17 Quintin Esterhuizen, 18 Denzil van Wyk, 19 Zayne Groenewaldt, 20 Camerol Klassen, 21 Justin Nel, 22 Heinrich Smit.

Golden Lions 15-29 Free State XV

The Golden Lions suffered two yellow cards in the second half which allowed Free State to score two converted tries that became the difference between the two inland neighbours.

The Lions’ captain and Number 8 Ruaan Lerm was the first to be given his marching orders on 48 minutes and then flanker Derick Minnie was also shown a yellow card by referee Francois Pretorius. With the home side down to 13 men, Free State were able to score their third try through hooker Joseph Dweba and then five minutes later, No. 8 Jasper Wiese rumbled over the line for the bonus-point try with Sias Ebersohn converting both efforts.

The match started out tightly as the two sides looked to exert dominance over one another. The sides traded penalties early on, with flyhalf Ebersohn opening the scoring and then his Lions counterpart, Shaun Reynolds levelling matters.

But the visitor broke open the play a quarter way through the first period when left wing Maphutha Dolo dashed over the line for the opening try which Ebersohn converted to hand the Free Staters a seven point advantage. Ebersohn then rounded off a wonderful move for the visitors, scoring his own try in the corner to extend the lead to 12 points as the flyhalf missed his own conversion.

Reynolds struggled with his kicking as he missed an easy penalty shortly before the break but fullback Ashlon Davids went over in the corner a minute later to narrow the gap to one score with Reynolds again missing hi attempt at goal.

The Golden Lions levelled matters shortly after the resumption of play when right wing Koch Marx burst over the line and this time Reynolds was spot on with the conversion before the Lions suffered two yellow cards which swayed the game in favour of the visitors.

The victory moved the Free State XV level on 12 points with the Golden Lions but with a game in hand but the Free State side will have to contend with the Sharks XV next weekend in their attempt to overhaul the Golden Lions and climb the log as the men from Johannesburg have a bye weekend.

Scorers:

For Golden Lions:

Tries: Davids, Marx

Cons: Reynolds

Pens: Reynolds

For Free State XV:

Tries: Wiese, Dweba, Dolo, Ebersohn

Cons: Ebersohn 3

Pens: Ebersohn

Teams:

Golden Lions: 15 Ashlon Davids, 14 Koch Marx, 13 Jacques Nel, 12 Jarryd Sage, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Shaun Reynolds, 9 Ricky Schroeder, 8 Ruaan Lerm (Captain, 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Stephan de Wit, 5 Luvuyiso Lusaseni, 4 Bobby De Wee, 3 Nico Du Plessis, 2 Pieter Jansen, 1 Clinton Theron.

Replacements: 16 Johannes Snyman, 17 Hendrik Smit, 18 Luvuyo Pupuma, 19 Victor Sekekete, 20 Fabian Booysen, 21 Cameron Rooi, 22 Selom Gavor.

Free State XV:15 Reinhardt Erwee, 14 Jean-Pierre Coetzee, 13 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 12 Tertius Kruger, 11 Maphutha Dolo, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 JP Smith, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Tienie Burger, 6 Refuoe Rampeta, 5 Reniel Hugo (Captain), 4 Armandt Koster, 3 Gunther Janse van Vuuren, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 BG Uys.

Replacements: 16 Tiaan Liebenberg, 17 Chase Morison, 18 Justin Basson, 19 Ntokozo Vidima, 20 Renier Botha, 21 Darren Baron, 22 Mosolwa Mafuma.

Referee: Francois Pretorius

Sharks XV 24-16 Western Province

Grant Hermanus opened the scoring in the first half with two penalties before scrumhalf Godlen Masimla dotted down for the first try of the match, which went unconverted, as the visitors opened up an 11-point lead midway through the first half.

But the Sharks began to compose themselves and took control of the remainder of the opening half, with Tristan Tredder slotting his only penalty of the game before centre Marius Louw flew over the line for the Sharks' opening try. Tredder converted to leave the hosts trailing by a single point at the break.

The Sharks took the lead for the first time in the match early in the second half when Tedder crossed the white-wash for his try, which he converted to hand the Sharks a six-point advantage.

But Province found a way through the Durbanites defences when right wing Khanyo Ngcukana dived over in the corner to reduce the deficit to a single point as WP flyhalf Grant Hermanus missed the conversion with 15 minutes remaining on the stadium clock.

But Eksteen ended off a good move late in the game to score the winning try, which Tredder converted, to not only condemn WP to their first defeat of the season, but also deny them a losing bonus-point.

Scorers:

For the Sharks XV:

Tries: Louw, Tredder, Eksteen

Cons: Tredder 3

Pen: Tredder

For Western Province:

Tries: Masimla, Ngcukana

Pens: Hermanus 2

Teams:

Sharks XV: 15 Alrin Eksteen, 14 S'busiso Nkosi, 13 Nkululeko Marwana, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Sibusiso Sithole, 10 Tristan Tedder, 9 Dylan Marcus, 8 Retief Marais, 7 Johan du Toit, 6 Khaya Majola, 5 Tjiuee Uanivi, 4 Wian Vosloo, 3 Ruan Kramer, 2 Stephan Coetzee, 1 Mzamo Majola.

Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Gerhard Engelbrecht, 18 Lubabalo Mthembu, 19 Ayron Schramm, 20 Hanco Venter, 21 Sandile Kubeka, 22 Heimar Williams.

Western Province: 15 Grant Hermanus, 14 Khanyo Ngcukana, 13 Tim Whitehead, 12 Daniel du Plessis, 11 Sibahle Maxwane, 10 Scott van Breda, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Kobus van Dyk, 7 Meyer Swanepoel, 6 Luke Stringer, 5 Chris van Zyl, 4 Jurie van Vuuren, 3 Jean-Pierre Smith, 2 Michael Willemse, 1 Alistair Vermaak.

Replacements: 16 Chad Solomon, 17 Kyle Whyte, 18 Christo van der Merwe, 19 Eital Bredenkamp, 20 Justin Phillips, 21 JP Lewis, 22 Berton Klaasen.

Referee: Quinton Immelman

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