Three teams remain unbeaten in Currie Cup
DHL Western Province, Xerox Golden Lions and Cell C Sharks registered vital away victories in the Currie Cup – proudly brought to you by Nashua and DirectAxis Financial Services – this past weekend to remain the only unbeaten teams in the competition.
All three sides kicked off their campaigns on a winning note in the second round of the tournament last week, and they continued their fine form for a full house of points.
Defending champions, DHL Western Province proved too skilful for the iCOLLEGE Pumas in Nelspruit as they outscored the hosts eight tries to four for a rewarding 57-28 victory. Such was their dominance, the Capetonians secured their bonus-point try in the 26th minute.
SP Marais was a key figure, scoring a try, seven conversions and a penalty goal for 22 points, while Sergeal Petersen also made his presence felt as he touched down twice.
A hat-trick by Vodacom Blue Bulls flanker Ruan Steenkamp was not enough in Pretoria as the team went down 38-31 against the Xerox Golden Lions in fast-paced Gauteng derby.
Hacjivah Dayimani was in solid form for the visitors once again as he touched down twice, while Shaun Reynolds also made a vital contribution with his try, five conversions and a penalty goal for a personal total of 18 points. That penalty goal proved to be the difference on the scoreboard as both sides scored five converted tries.
The Cell C Sharks had to work hard for their narrow 33-29 victory against the young Toyota Free State Cheetahs side in Bloemfontein, with three of their five tries being compliments of rolling mauls.
Their skipper, Chiliboy Ralepelle, scored two of these five-pointers, while the Free Stater’s flyhalf, Louis Fouche, was their go-to-guy as he scored two of their four tries, two conversions and a penalty goal to keep them in the game.
Currie Cup Round 3 results and scorers ((click on the hyperlink for the full score sheet):
Vodacom Blue Bulls 35 (28) Xerox Golden Lions 38 (21)
Vodacom Blue Bulls – Tries: Andre Warner, Ruan Steenkamp (3), Johnny Kotze. Conversions: Manie Libbok (5).
Xerox Golden Lions – Tries: Shaun Reynolds, James Venter, Dillon Smit, Hacjivah Dayimani (2). Conversions: Shaun Reynolds (5). Penalty Goal: Shaun Reynolds.
Toyota Free State Cheetahs 29 (15) Cell C Sharks 33 (19)
Toyota Free State Cheetahs – Tries: Louis Fouche (2), Lloyd Greeff, Penalty Try. Conversions: Louis Fouche (2). Penalty Goal: Louis Fouche.
Cell C Sharks – Tries: Chiliboy Ralepelle (2), Wian Vosloo, Dan Du Preez, Lwazi Mvovo. Conversions: Robert Du Preez (3), Curwin Bosch.
iCOLLEGE Pumas 28 (14) DHL Western Province 57 (29)
iCOLLEGE Pumas – Tries: JP Lewis, Chris Smith, Le Roux Roets, Jerome Pretorius. Conversions: Chris Smith (4).
DHL Western Province – Tries: Kobus van Dyk, SP Marais, Sergeal Petersen (2), Ruhan Nel, Ernst Van Rhyn, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Herschel Jantjies. Conversions: SP Marais (7). Penalty Goal: SP Marais.
Currie Cup First Division
The Hino Valke and Leopards continued to stamp their authority in the Currie Cup First Division – sponsored by DirectAxis Financial Services and Nashua – as they continued their winning ways to remain the only unbeaten teams after the second pool round.
The Hino Valke’s Friedle Olivier was the hero of the day in Welkom as his second try on the stroke of fulltime handed the team a nail-biting 56-52 victory against defending champions, the Down Touch Griffons, in a thrilling encounter in which a whopping 108 points were scored.
A strong first half by the SWD Eagles and braces by Marlo Weich and Ruben Schoeman, meanwhile, nudged them to a 37-22 victory in East London against the Border Bulldogs, who delivered a strong second-half showing but were unable to undo the damage caused by their porous first-half defence.
In Potchefstroom the Leopards were dominant from the outset against the Boland Cavaliers, which earned them a convincing 35-12 victory. The host scored five tries to Boland’s two after racing to a confidence-boosting 28-0 halftime lead.
Currie Cup First Division Round 2 results and scorers ((click on the hyperlink for the full score sheet):
Down Touch Griffons 52 (38) Hino Valke 56 (21)
Down Touch Griffons – Tries: Danie van der Merwe (3), Cody-Anthony Basson, Shirwin Cupido, Niel Stannard, Rodney Damons, Nkululeko Marwana. Conversions: Duan Pretoruis (6).
Hino Valke – Tries: Friedle Olivier (2), Shane Kirkwood, Etienne Taljaard (2), Grant Donavon Janke, Don Mlondobozi, Penalty Try. Conversions: Anrich Richter (5), Errol Jaggers (2).
Border Bulldogs 22 (8) SWD Eagles 37 (32)
Border Bulldogs – Tries: Somila Jho, Soso Mqalo (2).Conversions: Dilolo Mapuko, Aphiwe Stemele. Penalty Goal: Bangi Kobese.
SWD Eagles – Tries: Alshaun Bock, Marlo Weich (2), Ruben Schoeman (2). Conversions: Divan Nel (3). Penalty Goals: Divan Nel (2).
Leopards 35 (28) Boland Cavaliers 12 (0)
Leopards – Tries: Marius Stander, Gerhard Nortier, Akhona Nela, Bradley Moolman, Jimmy Mpailane. Conversions: Gerhard Nortier (4), DP de Lange.
Boland Cavaliers – Tries: Clemen Lewis, Tapiwa Tsomondo. Conversion: Jacquin Jansen.
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