Suzuki Griquas tighten grip on SA Cup top spot

It was another profitable weekend for the Suzuki Griquas, Airlink Pumas, Dotsure SWD Eagles and Toyota Cheetahs in the SA Cup, while there was also a first win for Eastern Province in the fifth round.

Griquas bagged their fifth victory courtesy of a 24-14 away win over Sanlam Boland Kavaliers in Wellington, the Eagles followed up their recent win over the Kavaliers with a narrow 43-40 win on the road against Valke and the Pumas outgunned Border 94-5 in East London.

In the Free State derby in Welkom, the Cheetahs reigned supreme 57-10 over Griffons and EP finally got off the mark when they defeated Leopards 43-31 in Potchefstroom.

The weekend’s results leave Griquas at the top of the standings with 25 points from five wins. They are followed by defending champion Pumas, who move to 22 points alongside SWD, who are now third because of a weaker points difference.

The Cheetahs occupy the fourth spot on 18 points, while Boland fell to fifth on 15 points. They are followed by the Griffons (10), Valke (nine), EP and Leopards (both seven points) and winless Border, who must still register their first points.

In next weekend’s round, the Pumas entertain the Leopards in Nelspruit from 7pm on Friday evening. The other four games take place on the Saturday when SWD welcome the Cheetahs to George, Boland entertain Border in Wellington, the Griffons are at home against the Valke in Welkom and Griquas travel to Gqeberha to take on EP.

Griquas maintained their unbeaten record with a bonus-point win over the Kavaliers in Wellington, where the visitors built a solid platform in the opening half for a 19-7 half-time lead.

The Kavaliers were hampered by unforced errors and two yellow cards, allowing Griquas to control. Former Kavaliers stars Gurshwin Wehr and Dylan Maart both crossed for tries, with Tiaan Lange adding a third. The hosts responded just before half-time when Doctor Booysen powered over, with James Tedder converting.

Griquas extended their lead shortly after the restart as Connor Mahoney dotted down to secure the bonus point. Boland continued to show fighting spirit and were rewarded when Tedder crossed and converted his own try but the visitors held firm in the closing stages to see out the contest.

A disappointed Kavaliers coach Hawies Fourie lamented his side’s poor start but praised their character despite their second consecutive loss in the competition.

“We started poorly, and Griquas scored two easy tries early in the first half. I felt we showed good character to come back from 19-0 down to 19-7 at half-time. The second half was a ding-dong battle. We wasted opportunities. I believe we could’ve won in the last 15 minutes but every time we got into their 22, we made a mistake – often a handling error.

“It’s disappointing for us; we should’ve gotten more out of the game. The players showed a lot of character but we also have a lot of work ahead. We make too many mistakes and it’s not always (when we are) under pressure. It’s something we need to get right and we need to use the opportunities we create better and finish better. “

The Kavaliers matched the Griquas physically at times, although the visitors had the upper hand at scrum and maul time. Fourie’s men showed glimpses of their attacking threat but a lack of composure let them down, with the final pass often going to ground.

Despite the setback, Fourie remains confident and has targeted the next two games – a home fixture next Saturday against Border before travelling to Potchefstroom to take on the Leopards.

“The next two games are very important – we need to get back to winning ways and play ourselves back into the competition.”

The Eagles boosted their semi‑final hopes with a narrow but crucial victory over the Valke at the Barnard Stadium in Kempton Park after the scores were level 26-26 at the break.

The hosts struck early through Mbembe Payi and Musa Tshabalala, while SWD were rewarded for their patience on attack, using multiple phases to stretch the home defence, with Kyle Cyster, Gunther Janse van Vuuren and Nico Leonard crossing to keep the scoreboard ticking.

It was the Eagles who gained advantage after half-time by creating tries for Niel Beukes, Rosco Syster and Fred Zeilinga, whose calm goal-kicking under pressure, including a late penalty, proved decisive. But Valke refused to fade with Theuns Pretorius and Payi scoring late. However, SWD’s composure in key moments saw them home.

The defending champion Pumas continued their strong performance with a resounding victory – their fourth of the season – over the Bulldogs at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium, where the visitors raced into a commanding 33-5 lead by half-time.

The Mpumalanga outfit produced a ruthless attacking display, running in 14 tries and missing just two conversions, while Border were restricted to a solitary first-half try. Pumas fullback JC Nel was outstanding and helped himself to four tries and he received excellent backing from Andrew Kota, JJ Scheepers and Tino Swanepoel, who each crossed twice. Clinton Swart and Nevaldo Fleurs combined for 12 conversions between them.

In Welkom, the Cheetahs produced a clinical display to outplay their Northern Free State neighbours, the Griffons, with the victory keeping the men from Bloemfontein firmly in the SA Cup semi‑final conversation.

The Cheetahs absorbed early pressure before settling into their rhythm, opening the scoring through flanker Daniel Maartens, converted by Jaco van der Walt. The Griffons replied with a Keegan Schaefer penalty but the visitors gradually imposed themselves, with Cohen Jasper and Tielman Nieuwoudt scoring to help them to a 19-3 lead at the break.

Two second half tries from speedy Michael Annies, as well as from Juan Smal, Marco Janse van Vuren, Jasper Nieuwoudt and a penalty try, reflected the Cheetahs’ attacking potency. The Griffons’ resistance was rewarded with a second‑half converted try by Jandre de Beer, while Wikus Nieuwenhuis (Griffons) and Marko Janse van Rensburg (Cheetahs) each received yellow cards.

Eastern Province claimed their first victory of the season by beating the Leopards in Potchefstroom, where the visitors edged a competitive first half to gain a 19-17 lead at the interval, responding well after the hosts made an encouraging start.

The Leopards’ Daimon O’Connell, Ghudian van Reenen and Naiden Jaarts scored first-half tries, while EP remained composed to stay in touch through tries by Dandre Delport, Mpho Ntsane and Damon Royle.

They lifted the tempo after the break and began to apply sustained pressure. Ntsane added two further tries, while Garth April and replacement Hlomla Zondani also scored as the Eastern Cape side built a strong advantage.

However, the Leopards never gave up and added second‑half tries through Jaarts and Brandon Keevy but EP’s composure saw them clinch a first win of the campaign.

Scores

Sanlam Boland Kavaliers 14 (7), Suzuki Griquas 24 (19)

Kavaliers - Tries: Doctor Booysen, James Tedder. Conversions: Tedder (2).

Griquas - Tries: Gurswin Wehr, Tiaan Lange, Dylan Maart, Connor Mahoney. Conversions: George Whitehead (2).

Leopards 31 (17), Eastern Province 43 (19)

Leopards – Tries: Naiden Jaarts (2), Daimon O’Connell, Ghudian van Reenen, Brandon Keevy. Conversions: Jandre Burger (3).

EP – Tries: Mpho Ntsane (3), Dandre Delport, Damon Royle, Garth April, Hlomla Zondani. Conversions: Garth April (4), Maxwell Klaasen.

Valke 40 (26), Dotsure SWD Eagles 43 (26)

Valke – Tries: Mbembe Payi (2), Musa Tshabalala (2), Sergio Stalmeester, Theuns Pretorius. Conversions: Sergio Stalmeester (5).

Eagles – Tries: Kyle Cyster, Gunther Janse van Vuuren, Nico Leonard, Niel Beukes, Rosco Syster, Fred Zeilinga. Conversions: Abner van Reenen (4), Fred Zeilinga. Penalty: Zeilinga.

Border Bulldogs 5 (5), Airlink Pumas 94 (33)

Bulldogs – Try: Mihlali Nchukana.

Pumas – Tries: JC Nel (4), Andrew Kota (2), JJ Scheepers (2), Tino Swanepoel (2), Sango Xamlashe, De Wet Marais, Etienne Janeke, Dalvon Blood. Conversions: Clinton Swart (6), Nevaldo Fleurs (6).

Griffons 10 (3), Toyota Cheetahs 57 (19)

Griffons – Try: Jandre de Beer. Conversion: Dehovine Johannes. Penalty: Keegan Schaefer.

Cheetahs – Tries: Cohen Jasper (2), Tielman Nieuwoudt (2), Michael Annies (2), Daniel Maartens, Juan Smal, Marco Janse van Vuren, Penalty Try. Conversions: Jaco van der Walt (4), Clayton Blommetjies.