Vodacom Cup: Lions, WP stay on top

It was business as usual at the top of the Vodacom Cup's North and South Section logs, with four of the top five in the divisions recording victories to remain on course for home play-offs.

The 'best' result of the weekend was secured by North Section leaders, the Golden Lions – who recorded a hard-fought 24-16 victory over the Pumas, the only team among the top five not to win, having started the round in second place.

The Lions' fifth successive win allowed the Blue Bulls to leapfrog into second position on the northern log, courtesy of a 44-0 victory over Namibia in Windhoek.

In the South, Western Province and Griquas both maintained their 100 percent records with their third successive victories – the former edging the Kings by six points in Port Elizabeth, while Griquas had an easier time of it in beating Border by 12 in Hartswater.

The Free State Cheetahs stayed in contention in the South with a 35-18 win over the Sharks XV in Kokstad, while in the North the Falcons recorded their first victory at the fourth attempt with a 38-17 victory over the Griffons.

Welwitschias 0-44 Blue Bulls

The Blue Bulls recorded a comfortable 44-0 win in Windhoek on Friday, to leave their hosts remaining in search of their first victory of the season.

The Welwitschias made their visitors work hard for their win on a rainy in Windhoek and they led only 8-0 at half-time in a match which was also disrupted by a 10-minute power outage.

However, the Bulls made their forward power count in the long run, scoring their first four tries through the rolling maul.

Scorers:

Blue Bulls:

Tries: Els 2, Mahlo, Marais, September, Smit 2

Cons: Marais 2, De Beer

Pen: Marais

Welwitschias:

None

Teams:

Welwitschias: 15 Justin Nel, 14 Russell van Wyk, 13 Johann Tromp, 12 Darryl de la Harpe (captain), 11 Tuna Amutenya, 10 Shaun Kaizemi, 9 Eneill Buitendag, 8 Rezando Botes, 7 Tinus du Plessis, 6 Thomasau Forbes, 5 Nico Esterhuyse, 4 Ulrich Engels, 3 Shaun du Preez, 2 Dian Wiese, 1 Quintin Esterhuizen.

Replacements: 16 Rathony Becker, 17 Jaco Engels, 18 Morton van Kradenburg, 19 Danny Arries, 20 Muharua Katjiteko, 21 Arthur Bouwer, 22 Henrique Olivier.

Blue Bulls: 15 Kefentse Mahlo, 14 Jade Stighling, 13 Marquit September, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Kobus Marais, 9 Andre Warner, 8 Jacques Engelbrecht, 7 Wiaan Liebenberg, 6 Roelof Smit, 5 Marvin Orie (captain), 4 Nico Janse van Rensburg, 3 Hencus van Wyk, 2 Arno van Wyk, 1 Basil Short.

Replacements: 16 Corniel Els, 17 Andrew Beerwinkel, 18 Reniel Hugo, 19 Clyde Davids, 20 JP Smith, 21 Tinus de Beer, 22 Riaan Britz.

Referee: Oregopotse Rametsi

Boland 34-26 SWD Eagles

The Boland Cavaliers outplayed the visiting SWD Eagles 34-26 (half-time 22-12) at Boland Park in Worcester on Friday.

Both sides collected a bonus point for scoring four or more tries but the Eagles were unable to breach the Cavaliers' line in the closing moments to claim a second point for losing by seven points or fewer.

Veteran former Boland winger Alshaun Bock scored two of the Eagles' tries to take his Vodacom Cup career total to 33.

Scorers:

Boland Cavaliers:

Tries: Sass 2, Engelbrecht 2, Klaasen

Cons: Zana 3

Pen: Zana

SWD:

Tries: Bock 2, Pedro, Roelofse

Cons: Van Vuuren 2, Smith

Teams:

Boland Cavaliers: 15 Eric Zana, 14 Harlon Klaasen, 13 Wilneth Engelbrecht, 12 Edwin Sass, 11 Ryno Conradie, 10 Christian Rust, 9 Jovelian de Koker, 8 Wayne Wilschut, 7 Chaney Willemse, 6 Freginald Africa, 5 Gavin Annandale (captain), 4 Yves Bashiya, 3 Martin Dreyer, 2 Clemen Lewis, 1 Henri Boshoff.

Replacements: 16 Kelvin Fikster, 17 Schalk Jooste, 18 Roderick Dalton, 19 Andre Coetzee, 20 Tiaan Ramat, 21 Jos Malherbe, 22 Duwayne Smart.

SWD Eagles: 15 Elric van Vuuren, 14 Hentzwill Pedro, 13 Kirsten Heyns, 12 Luzuko Vulindlu, 11 Alshaun Bock, 10 Martin du Toit, 9 Dillin Snel, 8 Zandre Jordaan, 7 Christo Du Plessis (captain), 6 Alwyn Bester, 5 Mzwanele Zito, 4 Peet van der Walt, 3 Ashley Buys, 2 Marius Fourie, 1 Layle Delo.

Replacements: 16 Wayne Khan, 17 Nemo Roelofse, 18 Davon Raubenheimer, 19 Lyndon Hartnick, 20 Leighton Eksteen, 21 Gerrit Smith, 22 Daniel Roberts.

Referee: Quinton Immelman

Assistant referees: Jabian Jeftha, Local

TMO: Deon van Blommestein

Griffons 17-38 Falcons

The Falcons recorded their first victory of the campaign, beating the Griffons 38-17 at the HT Pelatona Stadium in Welkom on Friday.

The visitors led 19-7 at the break that set the tone for a well-deserved bonus-point victory.

Scorers:

Griffons:

Tries: Sithole, Nortje

Cons: Strydom 2

Pen: Strydom

Falcons:

Tries: Van Wyk, Poley 2, Muir, Ladendorf, Kotze

Cons: Kotze 4

Teams:

Griffons: 15 Wynand Pienaar, 14 Norman Nelson, 13 Japie Nel, 12 Bren Marais, 11 Tertius Maarman, 10 Louis Strydom, 9 Boela Abrahams, 8 Nicky Steyn (captain), 7 Erik le Roux, 6 Martin Sithole, 5 Chris Ehlers, 4 Jan Breedt, 3 Heinrich Roelfse, 2 Khwezi Mkhafu, 1 Rudi Britz.

Replacements: 16 Jacques Gnäde, 17 PW Botha, 18 Dirk Grobbelaar, 19 Willmar Groenewald, 20 Oshwill Nortje, 21 Colin Herbert, 22 Sheldon Erasmus.

Falcons: 15 Jaun Kotze, 14 Kyle Hendricks, 13 Grant Janke, 12 Coert Cronje, 11 Arno Poley, 10 Chanley Williams, 9 Anrich Richter, 8 Friedle Olivier, 7 JP Mostert, 6 Jacques Verwey (captain), 5 Shane Kirkwood, 4 Marlyn Williams, 3 Andries Schutte, 2 Dean Muir, 1 Themba Thabethe.

Replacement: 16 Devlin Hope, 17 Thulani Ngidi, 18 Jacques Alberts, 19 Ernst Ladendorf, 20 Johan Pretorius, 21 Andrew van Wyk, 22 Riaan Arends.

Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni

EP Kings 13-19 Western Province

Western Province maintained their narrow lead at the top of the table with a 19-13 victory (half-time 12-5) over the Eastern Province Kings in a South Section clash at NMB stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

Scorers:

EP Kings:

Tries: Whitehead, Mahuza

Pen: Van Breda

Western Province:

Try: Masimla

Con: Du Plessis

Pens: Du Plessis 4

Teams:

EP Kings: 15 Sylvian Mahuza, 14 Siyanda Grey, 13 Hansie Graaff, 12 Shane Gates (captain), 11 Siviwe Soyizwapi, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Jaco Grobler, 8 Tim Agaba, 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 Paul Schoeman, 5 Cameron Lindsay, 4 Mthetheleli Fuzani, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Martin Ferreira, 1 Lizo Gqoboka.

Replacements: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Charles Marais, 18 David Bulbring, 19 Stefan Willemse, 20 Kevin Luiters, 21 Tim Whitehead, 22 Scott van Breda.

Western Province: 15 Grant Hermanus, 14 William Ndayara, 13 Kyle Lombard, 12 Robert du Preez, 11 Tshotsho Mbovane, 10 Jean-Luc Du Plessis, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Sikhumbuszo Notshe, 7 Jurie van Vuuren, 6 Jacques Vermeulen, 5 Chris van Zyl, 4 Jan de Klerk, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Michael Willemse (captain), 1 Sithembiso Sithole.

Replacements: 16 Neil Rautenbach, 17 Deacon Chowles, 18 Luke van der Smit, 19 Rayn Smid, 20 SP Ferreira, 21 JP Lewis, 22 Lihleli Xoli.

Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys

Sharks XV 18-35 Free State XV

Vincent Jobo scored two tries in six minutes as the Free State XV stunned the Sharks XV with a 35-18 (13-11) at Kokstad on Saturday.

The big No.8 crossed either side of the hour, adding to a first-half score from outstanding fullback Coenie van Wyk and a late effort by Shaun Venter to secure the bonus-point win.

Van Wyk scored an impressive 20 points in total, two more than the Sharks XV managed between them, as the men from Bloemfontein leapfrogged their hosts to climb to third on the South Section log.

Scorers:

Sharks XV:

Tries: J du Preez, Majola

Con: Radebe

Pens: Radebe 2

Free State XV:

Tries: Jobo 2, Van Wyk, Venter

Cons: Van Wyk 3

Pens: Van Wyk 3

Teams:

Sharks XV: 15 Alcino Izaacs, 14 Neil Maritz, 13 Khulu Marwana, 12 Heimar Williams, 11 Charles Mayeza, 10 Innocent Radebe, 9 Stefan Ungerer (captain), 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Khaya Majola, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 John-Charles Astle, 3 Marne Coetzee, 2 Chris de Beer, 1 Barend Potgieter.

Replacements: 16 Johan Erasmus, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 Christiaan De Bruin, 19 Johan Meyer, 20 Cameron Wright, 21 Toni Vaihu, 22 Tyler Fisher.

Free State XV: 15 Coenie van Wyk, 14 Enver Brandt, 13 JP du Plessis, 12 Joubert Engelbrecht, 11 Sergeal Petersen, 10 Noel Marx, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Vincent Jobo, 7 Thato Ngoza, 6 Zingisa April, 5 Devin Oosthuizen, 4 Justin Basson, 3 Louwrens Strydom, 2 Ryno Barnes (captain), 1 Kevin Stevens.

Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Van Zyl Botha, 18 Armand du Preez, 19 Johan Wessels, 20 Ludwig Erasmus, 21 Sino Ganto, 22 Alvin Brandt.

Referee: Ben Crouse

Griquas 37-25 Border Bulldogs

Griquas maintained their unbeaten record in this year's Vodacom Cup competition after beating Border Bulldogs 37-25 in Hartswater on Saturday.

The hosts scored five tries to cement the bonus point against the Bulldogs in a tough game that delivered some good running rugby to the very end.

Scorers:

Griquas:

Tries: Jansen, Jonker 2, Kloppers, Bezuidenhout

Cons: Swart 3

Pens: Swart 2

Border Bulldogs:

Tries: Jonker, Nofemele 2

Cons: Banda 2

Pens: Banda 2

Teams:

Griquas: 15 Jacquin Jansen, 14 Ntabeni Dukisa, 13 JW Jonker, 12 Clinton Swart, 11 Rocco Jansen, 10 Dean Grant, 9 Abraham Griesel, 8 Jono Janse van Rensburg, 7 Burger Schoeman, 6 Martin Bezuidenhout, 5 Stephan Malan, 4 Hugo Kloppers (captain), 3 Ewald van der Westhuizen, 2 Sidney Tobias, 1 Luxolo Koza.

Replacements: 16 Wiseman Kamanga, 17 Doctor Booysen, 18 Stephan Greeff, 19 AJ Le Roux, 20 Jovan Cookson, 21 PJ Vermeulen, 22 Danie Dames.

Border Bulldogs: 15 Masixole Banda, 14 Sipho Nofemele, 13 Makazole Mapimpi, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Michael Makase, 10 Oliver Zono, 9 Ntando Kebe (captain), 8 Onke Dubase, 7 Nkosi Nofuma, 6 Lukhanyo Nomzanga, 5 Wandile Putuma, 4 Billy Dutton, 3 Johannes Jonker, 2 Mihlali Mpafi, 1 Yanga Xakalashe.

Replacements: 16 Ludwe Booi, 17 Buhle Mxunyelwa, 18 Lindokuhle Welemu, 19 Siya Mdaka, 20 Bangi Kobese, 21 Lundi Ralarala, 22 Lester Mgwadleka.

Referee: Lourens van der Merwe

Pumas 16-24 Golden Lions

The Golden Lions grabbed a 24-16 win in a North Section clash against one of the heavyweights of Vodacom Cup rugby, the Pumas, at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Saturday.

A brace by the Lions outside centre Jacques Nel proved to be the difference between the well-matched sides.

Thanks to their hard-earned victory, the Lions have retained their position at the summit of the Vodacom Cup log with 23 points after five matches. It includes three bonus-point wins.

The Pumas could not add to their half-time tally and would have rued their wasted opportunities in the final 40 minutes.

Scorers:

Pumas:

Try: Pretorius

Con: Roos

Pens: Roos 3

Golden Lions:

Tries: Nel 2, Davids

Cons: Davids 3

Pen: De Kock

Teams:

Pumas: 15 Heinrich Steyl, 14 Jerome Pretorius, 13 Wilmaure Louw, 12 Stefan Watermeyer, 11 Marcello Sampson, 10 JC Roos, 9 Sinovuyo Nyoka, 8 Jason-Collin Fraser, 7 Lambert Groenewald, 6 Brian Shabangu, 5 Eduan Van Der Walt (captain), 4 Jannie Stander, 3 Drew van Coller, 2 Simon Westraadt, 1 Khwezi Mona.

Replacements: 16 Marnus Schoeman, 17 DJ Terblanche, 18 Rudi Mathee, 19 Uzair Cassiem, 20 Johan Herbst, 21 Justin van Staden, 22 Bernardo Botha.

Golden Lions: 15 Kobus de Kock, 14 Damian Engledoe, 13 Jacques Nel, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Ashlon Davids, 9 Ricky Schroeder (captain), 8 Jano Venter, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Ruaan Lerm, 5 Luvuyiso Lusaseni, 4 Bobby de Wee, 3 Pieter Scholtz, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Dylan Smith.

Replacements: 16 Mark Pretorius, 17 Clinton Theron, 18 Jean-Pierre Du Preez, 19 Ramone Samuels, 20 Christiaan Meyer, 21 Shaun Reynolds, 22 Selom Gavor.

Referee: Jaco Pretorius

Standings (under headings games played, wo and points):

North Section: Golden Lions 5 5 23; Blue Bulls 5 4 19; Pumas 5 3 16; Leopards XV 3 2 10; Falcons 4 1 6; Griffons 3 1 7; Welwitschias 4 0 2; Limpopo Blue Bulls 3 0 0

South Section:  Western Province 3 3 14; Griquas 3 3 13; Free State XV 3 2 10; SWD Eagles 3 1 6; EP Kings 3 1 6; Sharks XV 3 1 5; Boland Cavaliers 3 1 5; Border Bulldogs 3 0 0

Top scorers

51 – JC Roos (Pumas – one try, 14 conversions, six penalties)

47 – Kobus Marais (Blue Bulls – one try, 12 cons, six pens)

45 – Ashlon Davids (Golden Lions – one try, 14 cons, four pens)

42 – Coenie van Wyk (Free State XV – two tries, 10 cons, four pens)

38 – Jaun Kotze (Falcons – one try, 12 cons, three pens)