Ruan Pienaar's farewell party spoiled

WEEKEND WRAP: Griquas will host the SA Cup Final next weekend and face Pumas in Kimberley following this weekend’s conclusion of the league phase.

The Griquas confirmed their home final status by beating the Cheetahs 39-17 in Bloemfontein in one of two games played on Friday.

It spoiled Springbok and Cheetahs legend’s retirement party – in is last match as a player, before starting a coaching career in the Free State capital.

In the other Friday match, the Pumas made sure of their place in the Final when they defeated the Griffons 43-14 at the Mbombela Stadium.

Unbeaten Griquas finished top of the log with 45 points and with that they earned the right to host the final against second-placed Pumas, who finished second on 41 points.

In the two fixtures played on Saturday, the Boland Cavaliers won their final outing 48-40 against Eastern Province, while the Leopards scored a superb 45-31 away win over the SWD Eagles in George.

In the last fixture of the weekend, the Falcons defeated Border 38-14 in East London.

The weekend results saw the Griffons holding on to their third spot on the log with 35 points, three more than the fourth-placed Cheetahs. The Cavaliers finished fifth on 27 points, and they are followed by the Falcons (18 points), Leopards (16), SWD Eagles, EP (both on 14), and winless Border.

Below are the match reports…

Griquas clinch home final with victory over Cheetahs

The Griquas defeated Cheetahs 39-17 at Shimla Park in Bloemfontein in one of the two Friday matches with the result handing them the hosting right for next weekend’s SA Cup Final in Kimberley.

The Peacock Blues had a slender 15-10 lead at the break, but they managed to pull away from the Free Staters in the second half to make sure they finished the round-robin phase unbeaten.

Pieter Bergh’s side scored 5 tries, four conversions and a drop goal while the side from Bloemfontein replied with two converted tries and a penalty.

Fullback Cameron Hufke dotted down twice for the Griquas while stalwart flyhalf George Whitehead succeeded with three conversions, a penalty goal and a drop goal.

Springbok utility back Ruan Pienaar scored two conversions and a penalty goal in his very last competitive match for the Cheetahs, having announced his retirement from the game after this fixture following a stellar career with amongst others, the Cheetahs and the Springboks.

Right wing Daniel Kasende and utility back replacement Rewan Kruger each scored a try for the hosts.

Scorers:

For the Cheetahs
Tries: Daniel Kasende, Rewan Kruger
Cons: Ruan Pienaar
Pen: Pienaar

For Griquas
Tries: Cameron Hufke 2, Janco Uys, Sako Makata, Stephan Smit
Cons: George Whitehead 3, Lubabalo Dobela
Pen: Whitehead
DG: Whitehead

Referee: AJ Jacobs

Pumas down Griffons to secure final spot

The Pumas secured their place in next week’s SA Cup final against Griquas courtesy of their 43-14 win over the Griffons Friday at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

The Lowvelders scored five tries, a penalty try, four conversions and a penalty goal, while the Northern Free Staters replied with two converted tries.

Hooker Darnell Osuagwu dotted down twice for the Pumas while flyhalf Clinton Swart slotted three conversions and a penalty goal.

Ludio Williams (No.8) and Randy Fillies (left wing) were the Griffons’ try scorers, with flyhalf Danrich Visagie succeeding with both conversions.

Scorers:

For the Pumas
Tries: Darnell Osuagwu 2, Ruwald van der Merwe, Kwanda Dimaza, Stefan Coetzee, Penalty Try
Cons: Clinton Swart 3, penalty try does not require a conversion
Pen: Swart

For the Griffons
Tries: Ludio Williams, Randy Fillies
Cons: Danrich Visagie 2

Referee: Sean Muller

Cavaliers on top in try-fest against gallant EP

Boland Cavaliers scored seven tries as they clinched an exciting 48-40 win over a gallant Eastern Province side Saturday at Rhino Park in Piketberg.

The Cavaliers led 24-13 at half-time and while they went on to also dominate the scoring after halftime, they also had their hands full on defence as EP came storming back to finish the game with five tries.

Left wing Gavern Skippers and outside centre Xavier Mitchell each scored twice for the Cavaliers, who were also awarded a crucial penalty try, while pivot Darian Hock sent three conversion kicks through the upright.

Jay-dee Jooste, left wing, ran in for two of Elephants’ tries, while the kicking boot of fullback Jayden Bantom ensured the visitors stayed in touch with the home side. Bantom converted two of the tries and he was also on target with three penalty goals.

Scorers:

For the Boland Cavaliers
Tries: Gavern Skippers, Xavier Mitchell, Gerrit Bester, Marlyn Williams, Carl Francois Truter, Penalty Try
Cons: Darian Hock 3, penalty try does not require a conversion

For Eastern Province
Tries: Jay-dee Jooste 2, Sherwin Slater, Aya Oliphant, Temba Boltina
Cons: Jayden Bantom 2
Pens: Bantom 3

Referee: Paul Mente

Leopards hunt down Eagles at Outeniqua Park

The Leopards finished the campaign on a high by beating the SWD Eagles 45-31 in their Saturday fixture played at Outeniqua Park in George.

The men from Potchefstroom enjoyed a 26-10 half-time lead and they comfortably secured a good away win by scoring 7 tries to 5 in the end. No.8 Henro-Pierre Swart grabbed two of the five tries, while playmaker Charles Williams made a personal contribution of 15 points through a try and five conversions.

Right wing Rosco Seyster had a good game for the Eagles as he added two conversions to his try.

Scorers:

For SWD Eagles
Tries: Dian Basson, Sachin Toring, Mpho Ntsane, Rosco Syster, Clyde Lewis
Cons: Deon Carstens, Syster

For the Leopards
Tries: Henro-Pierre Swart 2, Chris Vermaak, Gilroy Philander, Tjaart Benade, Naiden Jaarts, Charles Williams
Cons: Williams 5

Referee: Dylen November

Falcons swoop to victory over Border in East London

In Sunday’s last fixture of the round, the Falcons scored six tries to two in their away clash with Border Bulldogs at Police Park in East London, having led 19-14 at half-time.

Scrumhalf Luciano Elias went over twice for the Falcons while flyhalf Sergio Stalmeester also scored a five pointer in addition to his four conversions.

Border scrumhalf Merlin du Plessis converted his teams’ two tries scored through Chuma Biyana (No.8) and Ryan Maree (outside centre).

Scorers:

For Border
Tries: Chuma Biyana, Ryan Maree
Cons: Merlin du Plessis 2

For Falcons
Tries: Luciano Elias 2, Eddie Evans, Zander van der Merwe, Sergio Stalmeester, Valentino Wellman
Cons: Stalmeester 4

Referee: Paul Mente