Griquas and the Pumas maintained their unbeaten record in the SA Cup when both scored away victories in the fifth round of the inaugural competition.
The log leaders from Kimberley withstood a spirited effort from the Boland Kavaliers to register a 48-30 triumph in Wellington on Saturday, while at the same time in East London, the men from Mpumalanga secured a 56-0 victory over Border Bulldogs – their third clean sheet of the season.
Elsewhere on Saturday, the Valke delivered their best performance of the season by outmuscling SWD Eagles by 63-31 in Kempton Park for their maiden win of the new competition, while the Leopards defeated Eastern Province in Potchefstroom for their second win of the campaign.
STATE OF THE URC: Lethal Lions save SA’s blushes
On Sunday in Welkom, the Griffons clinched a dramatic 36-33 victory over neighbours Cheetahs when they were awarded a penalty try after the buzzer for their fourth win of the season, to stay in touch with the frontrunners.
After five rounds of action, Griquas managed to hold onto their leading log position with 25 points from five wins in as many games. The Pumas have the same amount points, however, they find themselves second on the standings behind on points’ difference.
The Griffons’ derby win over the Cheetahs lifted them above the Bloemfontein outfit into third place with 20 points, with the team from Bloemfontein three points behind on 17. The two Free State sides are followed by the Kavaliers in fourth place (12 points), the Eagles and Leopards (both 10), Elephants (8), Valke (7) and Bulldogs (0).
The action continues next weekend when five more games will be played during round six of the competition.
Griffons 36 (12) – Tries: Dandre Delport, Carel-Jan Coetzee, Jaywinn Juries, Thomas Ongera and penalty try. Conversions: Danrich Visagie (3). Penalty: Visagie.
Cheetahs 33 (12) – Tries: Dan Kasende (2), Friedle Olivier, Gideon van der Merwe and Tapiwa Mafura. Conversions: Ruan Pienaar (2), Abner van Reenen and George Lourens.
Boland Kavaliers 30 (9) – Tries: Cornell Engelbrecht, Xavier Mitchell and Bentley Geldenhuys. Conversions: Garth April (3). Penalties: April (3).
Griquas 48 (22) – Tries: Carl Els (2), Janco Uys, Stephan Smit, Thomas Bursey, Cameron Hufke and Niel Otto. Conversions: Lubabalo Dobela (4) and George Whitehead. Penalty: Dobela.
Valke 63 (28) – Tries: Valentino Wellman (2), Cohen Kiewit, Luciano Elias, Yanga Hlalu, Easton Arendse, Kelvin Kanenungo and Anrich Richter. Conversions: Sergio Stalmeester (4), Andrew van Wyk and Anrich Richter (2). Penalties: Stalmeester (3).
Eagles 31 (10) – Tries: Thoubaan Gabriels (2), Rosco Syster (2) and Jade Stoffels. Conversions: Marlo Weich (2), Sachin Toring. Penalty: Deon Carstens.
Leopards 43 (17) – Tries: Henro-Pierre Swart, Shirwin Cupido, Gilroy Philander, Keenan Twigg, Christo Willemse and Christiaan Gates. Conversions: Marius Viviers (5). Penalty: Viviers.
Eastern Province 26 (14) – Tries: Riaan Arends, Davian Swanepoel, Sanwell Jacobs and Marvin Kampher. Conversions: Ruben de Vos (2) and Jacobs.
Bulldogs 0
Pumas 56 (28) – Tries: Darnell Osuagwu (2), Jan-Henning Campher, Giovan Snyman, Gene Willemse, Zeilinga Strydom, De-an Ackermann and Andrew Kota. Conversions: PJ Jacobs (6) and Diego Swartz (2).
Photo: SA Rugby
