Griquas snatch late win

Griquas scored two late tries to beat the Blue Bulls 39-38 on Saturday, while the Griffons also won in round seven of the Currie Cup qualifiers.

The hosts held a 17-14 half-time lead in Kimberley, but trailed by 11 points late in the game before replacement flyhalf Clinton Swart and wing AJ Coertzen scored tries to keep their team's unbeaten record intact.

The Bulls opened the scoring when flank Roelof Smit crossed for a converted try, before Griquas centre Jonathan Francke went over to level the scores.

Smit grabbed his second converted try, but again the hosts hit back, through wing Ederies Arendse. Flyhalf André Swarts kicked the conversion and added a penalty goal to give Griquas the lead at the break.

The hosts extended this in the first minute of the second half when Francke crossed for his second converted try.

Stander then kicked a penalty, before Smit completed his hat-trick. Flank Renaldo Bothma and fullback Duncan Matthews also scored tries as the Bulls raced out to an 11-point lead.

But Griquas would have the last say as Swart and Coertzen's tries gave the hosts their seventh win in as many matches.

In Saturday’s other game, flyhalf George Whitehead scored 14 points as the Griffons beat the Border Bulldogs 34-23 in Welkom after leading 17-14 at half-time.

Griquas (39) – Tries: Jonathan Francke (2), Ederies Arendse, Clinton Swart, AJ Coertzen. Conversions: Gouws Prinsloo, André Swarts, Clinton Swart. Penalties: Swarts.
Blue Bulls (38) – Tries: Roelof Smit (3), Renaldo Bothma, Duncan Matthews. Conversions: Joshua Stander (5). Penalty: Stander.

Griffons (34) – Tries: Duan Pretorius, Boela Venter, Heinrich Roelofse, Selvyn Davids. Conversions: George Whitehead (4). Penalties: Whitehead (2).
Border Bulldogs (23) – Tries: Siya Mdaka, Nkosi Nofuma. Conversions: Msixole Banda (2). Penalties: Banda (3).

Friday's results

Photo: Griquas