The NovaVit Griffons hosted the Cell C Sharks at the Down Touch Investments Stadium in Welkom on Friday. They managed to contain their visitors during the first half leading 09-07 at the halftime break, however, the Cell C Sharks scored four unanswered tries in the second half to cruise to a bonus point 35-07 win.
The NovaVit Griffons played the rugby for most of the first twenty minutes, however, the Cell C Sharks' defence held the attack from the Griffons at bay. Jaywinn Juries converted two penalties to open the scoring and lead for the hosts with 06-00 and seventeen minutes to play in the first half.
The NovaVit Griffons continued their dominance until the thirtieth minute when the Cell C Sharks charged a kick from the NovaVit Griffons down and silly play from the hosts gave Lionel Cronje an opportunity to pounce and fall on a bouncing ball in the in-goal area of the hosts, to score the Cell C Sharks' first try.
Although the Cell C Sharks trailed 07-09 at the halftime break they were getting the upper hand during the last ten minutes of the first half and did end the first half setting up camp in the visibly tiring NovaVit Griffons' 22m.
The Cell C Sharks came out from the halftime break a "different" team and scored their first try within the first two minutes since the start of the half. Yaw Penxe going into the corner for the visitor's second try. The Cell C Sharks storms into the lead for the first time in the match leading 14-09.
Celimpilo Gumede scored the Cell C Sharks' third try within minutes after that of Penxe as the Cell C Sharks continued their dominance in the third quarter. After sixty minutes of play the Cell C Sharks led 21-09 and comfortably on their way for a good win.
The Cell C Sharks continued to dominate and Ntuthuko Mchunu scored the Cell C Sharks' fourth and bonus point try extending their lead to 28-09 and sixteen minutes left to play in the second half.
A late try by Nevaldo Fleurs secured the 35-07 win against the NovaVit Griffons for the Cell C Sharks.
Scorers:
NovaVit Griffons: Penalty: Jaywinn Juries (3).
Cell C Sharks: Tries: Lionel Cronje, Yaw Penxe, Celimpilo Gumede, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Nevaldo Fleurs. Conversions: Lionel Cronje (5)
Teams:
NovaVit Griffons: 15 Duan Pretorius, 14 Domenic Smit, 13 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 12 Jandre de Beer, 11 Randy Fielies, 10 Robbie Petzer, 9 Jaywinn Juries, 8 Sokuphumla Xakalashe, 7 Thomas Ongera, 6 Mitchell Carstens, 5 Michael Benadie, 4 Rian Olivier, 3 Doctor Booysen, 2 Hendrik van Schoor, 1 Xolani Jacobs. Replacements from: 16 Dandre Delport, 17 Stephan de Jager, 18 Buhle Nojekwa, 19 Wikus Nieuwenhuis, 20 Curtly Thomas, 21 Thato Mavundla, 22 Keanu Vers, 23 Duren Hoffman, 24 Jared Kruger, 25 Jaco Willemse, 26 Richman Gora, 27 Jamba Ulengo, 28 Ethan Williams, 29 Marquit September, 30 Bennie Human.
Cell C Sharks: 15 Nevaldo Fleurs, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Murray Koster, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Marnus Potgieter, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Celimpilo Gumede, 7 James Venter, 6 Dylan Richardson, 5 Reniel Hugo (c), 4 Ockie Barnard, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Dameon Venter, 1 Dian Bleuler. Replacements: 16 Fezokuhle Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Marco de Witt, 20 Vincent Tshituka, 21 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 22 Tiaan Fourie, 23 Aphelele Fassi.
