The Griffons soared in a nail-biting round 2 SA Cup clash in Welkom to join defending champions Griquas and the Pumas at the top of the log.
At the Down Touch Investments Stadium on Saturday, the unbeaten Griffons edged the Boland Kavaliers 38-35 – each team scoring five converted tries but the Griffons’ successful second-half comeback spearheaded by left wing Andrew Kota.
Griquas and the Pumas also won to maintain a perfect 2-0 record, the champs thrashing the Valke 68-15 in Kimberley while last year’s losing finalists thrashed Eastern Province 61-22 in Nelson Mandela Bay.
The Cheetahs bounced back to winning ways when they blanked the Leopards 69-0 in Bloemfontein, and the SWD Eagles also got their first win of the campaign courtesy of a 48-22 victory over the Border Bulldogs in George on Friday.
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After two rounds, three teams are deadlocked on 10 log points, but Griquas lead the standings with a better points difference over the Pumas and Griffons.
The Kavaliers are fourth on seven points, followed by the Cheetahs on six, and the Eagles and Valke on five each. The top four teams at the end of the single round league phase will qualify for the Currie Cup.
Looking ahead to round 3, there are three matches on Friday – the SWD Eagles host EP in George, the Border Bulldogs welcome Griquas to East London, and the Pumas face the Cheetahs in Nelspruit.
On Saturday, the Leopards square up against Griffons in Potchefstroom while Valke tackle the Kavaliers at Kempton Park.
Round 2 results and scorers:
Griffons 38-35 Kavaliers
Griffons – Tries: Simon Westraadt, Andrew Kota, Chris Hollis, Junior Banda, Lungi Mbiko. Conversions: Kota (5). Penalty: Kota.
Kavaliers – Tries: Cornal Hendricks (2), Ashlon Davids, Keenan Opperman, Lunathi Nxele. Conversions: Davids (5).
EP 22-61 Pumas
EP – Tries: Rodney Damons, Shirwin Cupido, Jayden Bantom. Conversions: Chadwin November, Christian Humphries. Penalty: Humphries.
Pumas – Tries: Ross Braude (3), Sango Xamlashe, Wian van Niekerk, Ruwald van der Merwe, Danrich Visagie, Lundi Msenge, Penalty try. Conversions: Clinton Swart (5), Danrich Visagie (2).
Griquas 68-15 Valke
Griquas – Tries: Gurshwin Wehr (3), Gustav du Rand (2), Dylan Maart (2), Cameron Hufke, Marco De Witt, Zane Bester. Conversions: Tylor Sefoor (5), George Whitehead (4).
Valke – Tries: Andrew Volschenk, Musa Tshabalala. Conversion: Keagan Fortune. Penalty: Keagan.
Cheetahs 69-0 Leopards
Cheetahs – Tries: Jandre Nel (4),Louis van der Westhuizen (2), Daniel Maartens, Prince Nkabinde, Cohen Jasper, Reagan Oranje, Banie Britz. Conversions: Jasper (7).
SWD Eagles 48-22 Border Bulldogs
SWD – Tries: Sachin Toring (2), Mpho Ntsane, Stone Cloete, Ethan Stuurman, Dian Basson, Clive Kruger. Penalty try. Conversions: Braam Abrahams (2), Sachin Toring.
Border – Tries: Kamvelihle Fatyela, Simthembile Zozi, Hlumelo Pantyo. Conversions: Maxwell Klaasen (2). Penalty: Klaasen.
Photo: Marnus Prinsloo/Gallo Images
