The Currie Cup 1st Division log got severely jammed at the top this weekend with the Leopards’ defeat resulting in 4 of the top 5 teams being separated by only 1 point.
The second-placed Leopards went down 50-47 against SWD in Potchefstroom in a decisive result, as it allowed the Pumas to extend their lead at the top of the log to 10 points, while the trailing teams closed in on the side resulting in a log-jam.
The Leopards did manage to hold onto their second-place thanks to their two bonus points for losing within seven points and scoring more than four tries. But the Eagles also boast 22 points, while EP and Boland are only one point back with seven rounds of pool matches remaining.
The Pumas extended their winning run to seven matches with a convincing 69-12 victory against the Valke in Nelspruit, while Boland defeated the Griffons 55-35 in Welkom, and EP slotted a late drop goal to pip Border 9-6 in PE.
Leopards 47 (16) SWD 50 (20)
The clash at Olen Park might have been free of defence, but proved to be a real treat for the fans as the teams ran in a total of 11 tries and produced a tight finish. The Leopards had the first say as they built up a 10-0 lead nine minutes in for an encouraging start thanks to a converted try by Morne Hanekom and a penalty by flyhalf Adriaan Engelbrecht. SWD, however, hit back with two converted tries before half time to add to fullback Justin van Staden’s two penalties, while Engelbrecht managed another two three-pointers, which handed the visitors a narrow 20-16 lead at the break.
The second half, meanwhile, proved to be equally thrilling with the Leopards contributing five tries – two of which were scored early in the second half, and two in the dying minutes. But unfortunately for the home team three tries in quick succession by the Eagles midway through the half to add to another three Van Staden penalties proved to be enough to seal the 50-47 victory.
Leopards – Tries: Edgar Marutlulle, Jarryd Buys, Johann Laker, Martin Dreyer, Morne Hanekom (2). Conversions: Adriaan Engelbrecht (4). Penalties: Adriaan Engelbrecht (3).
SWD – Tries: Alshaun Bock, Dumisane Meslane, Gerrit Smith, Martin du Toit, Shaun Raubenheimer. Conversions: Justin van Staden (5). Penalties: Justin van Staden (5).
Pumas 69 (34) Valke 12 (0)
In Nelspruit, the Pumas dominated completely and reaped the rewards as they ran circles around the Valke from the outset. In total the team scored nine tries and conceded only two. Such was their supremacy they secured their bonus-point try on the stroke of halftime to add to sharp-shooter Carl Bezuidenhout’s flawless kicking performance for four conversions and two penalties, which earned them a 34-0 lead at the break.
The home team continued to run riot in the second half as the Valke were reduced to 14 men, with the side crossing the tryline four times in the first 10 minutes to push the match out of reach for the Kempton Park side. The Valke, however, fought back with tries by Juan Kotze and Vince Gwavu in the 55th and 63rd minute respectively for their only points of the match. But the Pumas again flexed their muscles seven minutes from time as flank Jaco Bouwer crossed the chalk for the team’s ninth try and their seventh victory in a row.
Pumas – Tries: Cornē Fourie, De-Jay Terblanche, Jaco Bouwer, Jacques Momberg, JW Bell, Rosco Speckman, RW Kember, Stefan Watermeyer (2). Conversions: Carl Bezuidenhout (9). Penalties: Carl Bezuidenhout (2).
Valke – Tries: Juan Kotze, Vince Gwavu. Conversion: Juan Kotze.
Griffons 35 (22) Boland 55 (22)
Boland overcame a tightly-fought first half in Welkom to return to winning ways and secure their fifth victory of the season. The teams were level on 22-22 at the break with three tries a piece. But the Cavaliers broke away in the second half thanks to a fine attacking display, which earned them five tries – three of which were scored in nine minutes – to force them onto the front foot and cancelled out the Griffons two tries. Boland flyhalf Eric Zana’s pin-point goal kicking also contributed to his teams significant lead as he slotted over six conversions and a penalty compared to only two conversions and two penalties by his Griffons counterpart Louis Strydom.
Griffons – Tries: Danwel Demas, Inus Kritzinger, Japie Nel, Tertius Daniller, Werner Griesel. Conversions: Louis Strydom (2). Penalties: Louis Strydom (2).
Boland – Tries: Brendon April (2), Cheswin Williams, Clemen Lewis, Eric Zana, PJ van Zyl, Ulrich Pretorius, Wynand Pienaar. Conversions: Eric Zana (6). Penalty: Eric Zana.
EP 9 (3) Border 6 (0)
In Port Elizabeth Border’s brave defence forced EP to fight for their 9-6 victory despite dominating possession in the last 60 minutes. Such was the tight nature of the game, the first points were scored in the 36th minute – thanks to a penalty by EP fullback Ntabeni Dukisa. His Bulldogs counterpart Dale Sabbagh, meanwhile, slotted over two penalties in five minutes in the second half to take a 6-3 lead in the 52nd minute. The teams continued to battle it out for the next 20 minutes, but a mistake by the visitors handed Dukisa another shot at goal, which left the teams level on 6-6 with nine minutes to go. Dukisa, however, saved the day as his drop goal attempt in the dying minutes proved successful for a 9-6 victory.
EP – Penalties: Ntabeni Dukisa (2). Drop Goal: Ntabeni Dukisa.
Border – Penalties: Dale Sabbagh (2).