Try-fest in Currie Cup First Division
Leading the pack in the try-scoring stakes as well as the log, were Griffons, who scored ten tries in their commanding 71-39 win over Eastern Province in Welkom.
The visitors did come to play as well, scoring seven tries of their own, but found the home side just too good on the day.
Ten tries were scored in East London as well, where the Leopards scored a hard-earned 36-32 win over the Border Bulldogs, to keep their push towards the top of the log alive. The visitors scored six tries and the home side four in a match that had the crowd at BCM Stadium at the edge of their seats.
Eleven tries were scored in another thriller in Windhoek, where SWD Eagles held out to beat the Welwitschias 36-32 in the Hage Geingob Stadium. The visitors had centre Tyler Fisher red-carded in the 50th minute and although they managed to build up a 31-15 lead, the numerical disadvantage caught up with them and they had to hold on desperately for the win.
The spectators at Barnard Stadium in Kempton Park also got full value for their money in another close match, where the Falcons closed out a 35-31 win over the visiting Boland Cavaliers.
Both sides scored five tries each, but the boot of Warren Potgieter proved to be the decisive factor as the Falcons pivot converted everything off the tee. The home side's five tries include a penalty try.
Currie Cup First Division Round Five results and scorers:
Border Bulldogs 32 (8) Leopards 36 (12)
The scorers:
Border Bulldogs:
Tries: Lundi Ralarala, Mihlali Mpafi, Dave Khetani 2
Cons: Bangi Kobese 3
Pens: Bangi Kobese 2
Leopards:
Tries: Dane van der Westhuyzen, Loftus Morrison, Gene Willemse 2, Tapiwa Mafura, Weppies Wepener
Cons: Gene Willemse 3
Welwitschias 32 (8) SWD Eagles 36 (17)
The scorers:
Welwitschias:
Tries: Rohan Kitshoff, Christo van der Merwe, David Philander, Johan Greyling, Johan Tromp.
Cons: Theuns Kotze 2
Pen: Kotze
SWD Eagles:
Tries: Jacques Vermaak, Janneman Stander, Martin du Toit 2, Kurt Haupt
Cons: Marlou van Niekerk, Leighton Eksteen
Falcons 35 (14) Boland Cavaliers 31 (14)
The scorers:
Falcons:
Tries: Shane Kirkwood 2, Friedle Olivier, Coert Cronje
Cons: Warren Potgieter 4
Boland Cavaliers:
Tries: Jovelian de Koker, Gerrit van Wyk, Alcino Isaacs 2, Charles Mayeza
Cons: Divan Nel 2, Adriaan Carelse
Griffons 71 (50) Eastern Province 39 (12)
The scorers:
Griffons:
Tries: Danie van der Merwe, Shirwin Cupido, Guan Kotze, Tertius Maarman 2, Arthur-William Williams, Vuyo Mbotho, Selvyn Davids, Kwhezi Mkhafu, Kerr Till.
Cons: Guan Kotze 9
Pen: Kotze
Eastern Province:
Tries: Anele Lungisa 2, Zingasa April, Alshuan Bock, Harlon Klaasen 2, Sphu Msutwana
Con: Ntabeni Dukisa
