The Leopards and Boland Cavaliers took an early lead in the ABSA Currie Cup Qualifiers this weekend as they both secured bonus-point victories in the opening round.
The Qualifiers features 7 teams battling it out for the last remaining spot in the ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division. The remaining 6 teams will participate in the ABSA Currie Cup First Division.
The Leopards defeated the SWD Eagles 45 / 17 at Outeniqua Park in George on Friday thanks to an impressive 6 tries, while the Boland Cavaliers were guaranteed of their bonus-point for 4 tries in the 1st half against the Down Touch Griffons on Saturday, which set them up for a 32 / 22 victory in Malmesbury.
In the other match the Border Bulldogs surprised the ORC Griquas with a 20 / 13 victory at the BCM stadium in East London following a closely contested 1st half.
The Hino Valke, meanwhile, had a BYE.
Boland Cavaliers (29) 32 / 22 (5) Down Touch Griffons:
The Boland Cavaliers got off to a strong start in their clash against the Down Touch Griffons as they ran in an impressive 3 tries in the 1st 24 minutes, with right wing Senan van der Merwe scoring 2 of the tries. Such was their dominance in the 1st half they secured their 4-try bonus point shortly before halftime.
But the Down Touch Griffons bounced back strongly in the 2nd half with 2 tries to add to the 1 scored in the 1st half and defended well to prevent the Boland Cavaliers from inflating their score significantly. In fact, the hosts were only able to add a penalty in the 2nd half, but despite this, they held onto the victory.
Scorers:
Boland Cavaliers:
- Tries: Hanno Kitshoff (1), Senan van der Merwe (2), Wilneth Engelbrecht (1)
- Conversions: Eric Zana (3)
- Penalties: Eric Zana (2)
Down Touch Griffons:
- Tries: Alvin Brandt (1), Rudi Britz (1), Tertius Maarman (1)
- Conversions: Louis Strydom (2)
- Penalties: Louis Strydom (1)
Border Bulldogs (3) 20 / 13 (3) ORC Griquas:
A strong 2nd-half surge by Border, in which they scored 3 tries, allowed them to register a morale-boosting victory against 2014 ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division side ORC Griquas at the BCM Stadium in East London.
The 1st half was tight as the teams managed only a penalty a side for a 3 / 3 halftime score. The Kimberley side, however, had the 1st say after the break with a try by Stephan Kotze, which pushed them into a 10 / 3 lead. But Border took control of the match soon after by retaining possession and using it effectively, which earned them 3 tries. They supported this with a solid defensive effort, which limited ORC Griquas to only a penalty in the 2nd half. The penalty, however, secured them a valuable bonus point.
Scorers:
Border Bulldogs:
- Tries: Lukhanyo Am (1), Makazole Mapimpi (1), Sipho Nofemele (1)
- Conversions: Masixole Banda (1)
- Penalties: Masixole Banda (1)
ORC Griquas:
- Tries: Stephan Kotze (1)
- Conversions: Gouws Prinsloo (1)
- Penalties: Gouws Prinsloo (2)
SWD Eagles (10) 17 / 45 (17) Leopards:
The Leopards were in fine form in their clash against the SWD Eagles despite the hosts taking an early 10 / 3 lead in the opening 8 minutes. The Potchefstroom side found their rhythm in the 2nd quarter and scored 2 tries compliments of prop Johan Smith and hooker Wian Fourie to take a 17 / 10 halftime lead.
They continued to build on this form in the 2nd half and took control of proceedings, which set up left wing Adri Jacobs for a hat-trick. Right wing Sergio Torrens supported this with another try to increase their tally to 6 tries for the match. The SWD Eagles, meanwhile, were only able to add 1 more try to their score after the break, which forced them to settle for a 45 / 17 defeat.
Scorers:
SWD Eagles:
- Tries: Elric van Vuuren (1), Peet van der Walt (1)
- Conversions: Elric van Vuuren (2)
- Penalties: Elric van Vuuren (1)
Leopards:
- Tries: Adri Jacobs (3), Johan Smith (1), Sergio Torrens (1), Wian Fourie (1)
- Conversions: Adriaan Engelbrecht (6)
- Penalties: Adriaan Engelbrecht (1)