Border earn first win as Griffons, Leopards set the pace
The Border Bulldogs earned their first Currie Cup First Division victory this weekend as the Down Touch Griffons and Leopards continued to set the pace in the competition – sponsored by Nashua and DirectAxis – with three rounds of pool matches remaining.
The Down Touch Griffons overcame a 22-21 halftime deficit against the Boland Cavaliers in Wellington to register a 40-25 victory, despite a hat-trick by Boland winger Charles Mayeza. The victory extended the defending champions’ winning run to four matches and maintained their unbeaten status.
The Down Touch Griffons scored six tries to four by Boland, while flyhalf Gaun Kotze kept the scoreboard ticking with his accurate goal-kicking, which earned him five conversions over and above his try for a personal total of 15 points.
The Leopards were in fine form against the Windhoek Draught Welwitschias in Potchefstroom as they outplayed the visitors 78-29 thanks to an impressive 11 tries to two by the visitors. The Leopards started the clash strongly and built up a 31-12 lead, and they maintained this form after the break to earn their third victory in a row. Leopards No 8 Jeandre Rudolph and centre Bradley Moolman each earned braces, while flyhalf Schalk Hugo scored a try and slotted over 10 conversions and a penalty goal for a personal tally of 28 points.
The Border Bulldogs, meanwhile, registered their first victory of the season as they defeated Eastern Province 40-24 thanks to their six tries to four by the opposition. The first half was closely fought as the East London side took a 14-7 lead, but they did well to convert their chances into points in the second half, which saw them add four tries to their total for the morale-boosting victory.
In George, the SWD Eagles clawed their way back from 6-3 down at the break in a hard-fought encounter against the Hino Valke to register a narrow 13-9 victory. Only one try was scored in the match compliments of the hosts, whose other points were scored through penalty goals, while the Hino Valke’s points were compliments of two penalty goals and a drop goal.
Top Points scorers after round 4
Leighton Eksteen (SWD Eagles) – 48
Theuns Kotze (Windhoek Draught Welwitschias) – 47
Schalk Hugo (Leopards) – 45
Jeandre Rudolph (Leopards) – 40
Gaun Kotze (Down Touch Griffons) – 38
Top Try scorers after round 4
Jeandre Rudolph (Leopards) – 8
Charles Mayeza (Boland Cavaliers) – 5
Arthur-William Williams (Down Touch Griffons) – 5
Selvyn Davids (Down Touch Griffons) – 5
Johan Tromp (Windhoek Draught Welwitschias) – 5
Currie Cup First Division round 4 results and scorers:
Boland Cavaliers 25 (22) Down Touch Griffons 40 (21)
Boland Cavaliers – Tries: Chaney Willemse, Charles Mayeza (3). Conversion: Divan Nel. Penalty Goal: Divan Nel.
Down Touch Griffons – Tries: Khwezi Mkhafu, Gaun Kotze, Tertius Maarman, Arthur-William Williams, Vuyo Mbotho, Joubert Engelbrecht. Conversions: Gaun Kotze (5).
SWD Eagles 13 (3) Hino Valke 9 (6)
SWD Eagles – Try: Marlo Weich. Conversion: Leighton Eksteen. Penalty Goals: Leighton Eksteen (2).
Hino Valke – Penalty Goals: Warren Potgieter, Errol Jaggers. Drop Goal: Warren Potgieter.
Leopards 78 (31) Windhoek Draught Welwitschias 29 (12)
Leopards – Tries: Dewald Dekker, Jeandre Rudolph (2), Schalk Hugo, Gene Willemse, Bradley Moolman (2), Jimmy Mpailane, Lungelo Gosa, Francois Jacobs, Dean Gordon. Conversions: Schalk Hugo (10). Penalty Goal: Schalk Hugo.
Windhoek Draught Welwitschias – Tries: Christo Van der Merwe, Lesley Klim (2), Macho Prinsloo, Francois Wiese. Conversions: Macho Prinsloo (2).
Eastern Province 24 (7) Border Bulldogs 40 (14)
Eastern Province – Tries: Wynand Grassmann, Siyanda Grey, Sphu Msutwana (2). Conversions: Rivan Lemmer, Sonwabo Majola.
Border Bulldogs – Tries: Phumlani Blaauw, Billy Dutton, Athenkosi Manentsa, Lelethu Gcilitshane, Sethu Tom, Xolela Payi. Conversions: Nkululeko Ndlovu (2), Xolela Payi (3).
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