The Griffons, Valke and SWD Eagles all made emphatic statements in the opening round of the Currie Cup First Division.
Defending champions the Griffons delivered the biggest statement of the weekend, powering past the Border Bulldogs 52-19 in East London to launch their title defence with a bonus-point victory.
The Griffons established early dominance with a try by hooker Simon Westraadt, before Border took a brief lead through tries from winger Lonwabo Rawana and flank Luvumo Makata, both converted by flyhalf Khanya Kama.
However, the match swung decisively in the 25th minute when Border centre Mihlali Nchukana received a yellow card. Shortly after, the Griffons were awarded a penalty try, and the Bulldogs were reduced to 13 men as lock Dillan Kromhout was also sin-binned.
Capitalising on the numerical advantage, lock Asekho Marubelela and Westraadt crossed the line to give the Griffons a commanding half-time 31-14 lead.
Border opened the second half with a try from fullback Unathi Mayekiso, but their momentum was quickly halted as Marubelela secured his brace in the 46th minute.
The Griffons closed out the match with late tries from replacement Daylon Myners and fullback Adriaan Carelse, earning an important bonus-point away win.
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Last season’s runners-up, the Valke, were equally impressive as they dismantled Eastern Province 49-28 at Barnard Stadium.
In Kempton Park, the Valke showed why many regard them as serious title contenders.
The East Randers raced into an early lead through tries from centre Zeilinga Strydom, lock Godfrey Muzanargwo and No 8 Abulele Ndabambi before hooker Marco Fuhri’s score shortly before half-time gave the hosts a 28-14 cushion.
Eastern Province remained competitive through tries from centre Christiaan Potgieter, prop Buhle Nojekwa, replacement prop Siya Nzuzo and replacement flyhalf Maxwell Klaasen, but two late yellow cards ultimately ended any hopes of a comeback.
The Valke took full advantage, with winger Mosolwa Mafuma and replacement No 8 Zingisa April crossing late to put the result beyond doubt.
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SWD emerged victorious from the match of the round, edging the Leopards 44-38 in a thrilling encounter in Potchefstroom.
The Leopards led 26-24 at half-time after a strong opening period featuring a brace from winger Siniothando Tshontsyi and a superb all-round display from flyhalf Jandre Burger.
But the game swung decisively after the break when centre Brandon Keevy received a red card.
The Eagles ruthlessly exploited their numerical advantage as centre Niel Beukes, fullback Ulrich Wahl, replacement loose forward Sean Roulston and wing Rosco Syster all crossed the whitewash.
To the Leopards’ credit, they refused to surrender. Winger Naiden Jaarts scored twice late on to set up a tense finish, but the Eagles held firm to secure a valuable away victory and announce themselves as genuine contenders.
VALKE (49) – Tries: Zeilinga Strydom, Godfrey Muzanargwo, Abulele Ndabambi, Marco Fuhri, Ilunga Mukendi, Mosolwa Mafuma, Zingisa April. Conversions: Sergio Stalmeester (5), Adrian Joubert (2).
EASTERN PROVINCE (28) – Tries: Christiaan Potgieter, Buhle Nojekwa, Siya Nzuzo, Maxwell Klaasen. Conversions: Garth April (3), Klaasen.
LEOPARDS (38) – Tries: Siniothando Tshontsyi (2), Naiden Jaarts (2), Shaun-Christian Baxter, Jandre Burger. Conversions: Burger (4).
SWD EAGLES (44) – Tries: Sisipho Nofuya, Masande Mtshali, Janus Venter, Ulrich Stander, Niel Beukes, Ulrich Wahl, Sean Roulston, Rosco Syster. Conversions: Fred Zeilinga (2).
BORDER BULLDOGS (19) – Tries: Lonwabo Rawana, Luvumo Makata, Unathi Mayekiso. Conversions: Khanya Kama (2).
GRIFFONS (52) – Tries: Simon Westraadt (2), Clive Kruger, Penalty Try, Asekho Marubelela (2), Daylon Myners, Adriaan Carelse. Conversions: Carelse (5).
Photo: @TheCurrieCup/X
