Leopards and EP take top honours at SARU Sevens

Nov 3 • General News, National, Sevens Rugby, South Africa • 2457 Views • Comments Off on Leopards and EP take top honours at SARU Sevens

The Leopards men’s team and Eastern Province Women’s team on Saturday took top honours at the annual SARU Interprovincial Sevens competition at GWK Park in Kimberley after two taxing days of rugby.

The Leopards men defeated the Pumas 34-21 in the Cup final and the Blue Bulls beat Free State 31-14 to take the Plate final, while the Eastern Province Women’s team beat Border 24-15 to win the trophy and the Free State Women won the Plate final after defeating the Pumas 17-12.

In the men’s competition, the Leopards defeated Western Province 26-14, Free State 24-7, Lowveld 31-7 and the Valke 17-12 to advance to the Cup semifinal against Eastern Province.

They continued their solid form in the semifinal and outplayed the Port Elizabeth team 19-5 to book their place in the final against the Pumas.

The Pumas had an equally impressive tournament featuring round-robin victories against Eastern Province, SWD, the Blue Bulls and Griquas, while they defeated Western Province 28-7 to book their place in the final.

The Leopards, however, scored six tries to only four by the Pumas for a 34-21 victory and the title of SARU Interprovincial Sevens champions.

Defending men’s champions, KwaZulu-Natal, started the tournament on a high note with a 19-7 victory against the Griffons, but they suffered defeats against the Valke, Golden Lions and Blue Bulls, which dashed their hopes of defending their title.

In the Women’s competition Eastern Province cruised to the semifinal after thumping Boland 38-5, Griquas 38-0 and the Pumas 40-0 on day one. They then defeated KZN 24-12 to book their semifinal berth against Western Province.

The clash proved to be tight as the teams gave everything to advance to the final, but the Port Elizabeth team held on for a 17-12 victory.

Border, meanwhile, registered a 38-0 victory against the SA Students and then defeated Limpopo 66-0, the Leopards 28-14 and SWD 29-21 to ensure their semifinal spot.

Despite facing tough competition from defending Women’s champions, the Blue Bulls, the East London-based team won the match 17-10 to progress to the final against Eastern Province.

The Port Elizabeth team, however, emerged victorious with a 24-15 victory thanks to four tries to only three by Border to take earn title.

Photo: Louis Botha