It was a weekend of big scores and many tries – 32 to be precise – in the Carling Currie Cup First Division, where six of the seven teams are still in with a shout of reaching the playoffs.
The Down Touch Griffons still top the standings, despite losing their first match of the season away to the Leopards, with these two sides being chased hard at the top of the log by the Boland Kavaliers, who won a one-point thriller in Brakpan to the Valke.
The Leopards had a strong first half and led 24-7 at the break, but the Griffons fought back in the second half although the home side managed to hold on for the win.
The Northern Free Staters’ try-scoring bonus-point was enough to secure them a spot in the semi-finals though and they still top the log on 20 points.
The Valke outscored Boland by six tries to five, with Anrich Richter contributing 18 points, but it was not enough as the Kavaliers snuck through by one point. Garrick Mattheus converted all five their tries and added three penalty goals for a personal haul of 19 points.
And down in George, the SWD Eagles got their first win of the season in style when they beat the Border Bulldogs at Outeniqua Park, with the home team scoring eight tries to the visitors’ four.
With two rounds left, the Griffons are on 20 points, followed by the Leopards (16), Boland (15), Valke (12), SWD, Border and Eastern Province (all on six). The Griffons and Eagles have played one game more, though.
Scorers:
Valke 43 (28) Boland Kavaliers 44 (23)
Valke – Tries: Jacques Alberts, Denzel Hill, Anrich Richter, Valentino Wellman, Godfrey Ramaboea (2). Conversions: Anrich Richter (5). Penalty: Anrich Richter.
Boland Kavaliers – Tries: Deon Carstens, John Lourens, Dylan Maart, Wilneth Engelbrecht, Andre Manuel. Conversions: Garrick Mattheus (5). Penalty: Garrick Mattheus (3).
SWD Eagles 50 (24) Border Bulldogs 29 (3)
SWD Eagles – Tries: Nkosikhona Masuku, Ruan van Rensburg, Marquit September (2), Lazner Nxele, Kirsten Heyns (2), Heinrich Leukes. Conversions: JP Duvenhage (4), September.
Border Bulldogs – Tries: Ayabonga Nomboyo, Sonwabiso Mqalo, Sipho Nofemele (2). Conversions: Litha Nkula (3). Penalty: Litha Nkula.
Leopards 36 (24) Down Touch Griffons 26 (7)
Leopards – Tries: Robey Leibrandt, Sampie Swiegers, Eugene Hare, Andries Fourie, Penalty try. Conversions: Danrich Visagie (3). Penalty: Danrich Visagie.
Down Touch Griffons – Tries: Duan Pretorius, Christo Bezuidenhout, Thato Mavundla, Penalty try. Conversions: Jaywinn Juries, Aphiwe Stemele.