Windhoek Draught Griquas secured a convincing 42-27 win despite two yellow cards, against the NovaVit Griffons in Kimberley on Sunday. This win will boost their playoff prospects as they move into the 4th position on the 2023 Currie Cup Premier Division Log.
Windhoek Draught Griquas scored almost every time they had the opportunity while the NovaVit Griffons did not use their opportunities with the defence of the host solid and inpenetrable. The Windhoek Draught Griquas led 21-08 at the halftime break and although their visitors are still in the game one expects an onslaught by the home team in the second half.
The NovaVit never gave up during the second half and will go home with a bonus point for their efforts in Kimberley while the home team will be celebrating the 42-27 win which moves them into the 4th place on the Currie Cup Premier Division Log.
NovaVit Griffons started like a house on fire, however, Trertius Kruger forced his way over the tryline for the Windhoek Draught Griquas the first time they entered the 22m of the visitors to lead 07-00.
NovaVit Griffons were awarded a penalty from the kickoff, which Jaywinn Juries converted after seven minutes of play.
A quick tap by Johan Mulder on the 22m of the NovaVit catches the visitors asleep as the start scrumhalf scores his sixth try of the season. After 10 minutes of play, Windhoek Draught Griquas led 14-03 with early signs of a big win already visible.
NovaVit Griffons fought bravely during the next 20 minutes preventing Windhoek Draught Griquas from scoring several tries. However, Windhoek Draught Griquas launched wave after wave of attacks until Niel Otto bulldozed his way over the tryline to increase the host's lead to 21-03 with 10 minutes to play in the first half.
With 3 minutes left to play in the first half the NovaVit Griffons' hooker Dandre Delport scored from the back of a 5m lineout-maul to reduce the Windhoek Draught Griquas lead tp 21-08 which was also the halftime score.
The home team started like a house on fire and attacked from the first whistle of the second half. Stephan Smit scored a well-worked try for the Windhoek Draught Griquas, their 4th and bonus point try to lead 28-08 after 7 minutes of play in the second half.
Two minutes Rosco Specman scored the second try of the second half as their attacking play proves to be too much for NovaVit Griffons. Windhoek Draught Griquas was in complete control at this stage and led 35-08 with 30 minutes left to play in the second half.
Following a yellow card shown to Windhoek Draught Griquas' Kudzwai Dube the NovaVit stepped up their attacks with Jean Pretorius scoring their second try following an attack that started in their half.
The NovaVit Griffons continued their dominance for the next minutes with HP v Schoor scoring their third try from the back of a 5m lineout-maul. With 15 minutes to play the Windhoek Draught Griquas led 35-20 with the visitors dominating.
George Whitehead ran a brilliant supporting line following a sniping break by Johan Mulder and scored the 6th try of the home team with 5 minutes left to play in the second half of the match.
With regular time up HP van Schoor scored his second try of the day from the back of a 5m lineout maul, however, although the NovaVit Griffons played the most rugby on the day the host did enough to walk away with a 42-27 win.
Scorers:
Windhoek Draught Griquas: Tries: Tertius Kruger, Johan Mulder, Niel Otto, Stephan Smit, Rosco Specman, George Whitehead. Conversions: Eddie Fouche (5), George Whitehead.
NovaVit Griffons: Tries: Dandre Delport, Jean Pretorius, HP v Schoor (2). Conversion: Duan Pretorius (2). Penalty: Jaywinn Juries.
Teams:
Windhoek Draught Griquas: 15 Malcolm Jaer, 14 Rosko Specman, 13 Jay-Cee Nel, 12 Tertius Kruger, 11 Luther Obi, 10 Eddie Fouche, 9 Johan Mulder, 8 Carl Els 7 Hanru Sirgel (c), 6 Stephan Smit, 5 Derik Pretorius, 4 Johan Retief, 3 Janu Botha, 2 Janco Uys, 1 Kudzwai Dube. Replacements: 16 Seaan Swart, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 Cebo Dlamini, 19 Dylon Sjoblom, 20 Neil Otto, 21 Reagan Oranje, 22 George Whitehead, 23 Sango Xamlashe.
NovaVit Griffons: 15 Duren Hoffman, 14 Granwill Matthys, 13 CJ Coetzee, 12 Marquit September, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Duan Pretorius, 9 Jaywinn Juries, 8 Jean Pretorius, 7 Thomas Ongera, 6 Thato Mavundla, 5 Curtly Thomas, 4 Jaco Willemse, 3 Doctor Booysen, 2 Dandre Delport, 1 Stephan de Jager. Replacements: 16 HP v Schoor, 17 Xolani Jacobs, 18 Buhle Nojekwa, 19 Wikus Nieuwenhuis, 20 Michael Benadie, 21 Ludio Williams, 22 Keanu Vers, 23 Domenic Smit, 24 Rian Olivier, 25 Richman Gora, 26 Randy Fielies