Vodacom Cup: One play-off spot left

 

Victories to the SWD Eagles and Griquas, coupled with a defeat to the Sharks XV, means the top four teams in the South Section have been determined. 

 

The unbeaten Western Province will host one of the quarterfinals in Cape Town after they beat the Free State XV by 30-29 in Bloemfontein on Saturday afternoon.

 

Griquas, 27-24 victors over the KwaZulu-Natalians in Pietermaritzburg, cemented their second spot on the log, while the Eagles’ 36-17 win over the Border Bulldogs in Albertinia on Saturday afternoon means they will contest their second successive Vodacom Cup quarterfinal.

 

In the final South Section match, the EP Kings returned to winning ways in Citrusdal when they beat the Boland Cavaliers by 44-10.

 

Meanwhile, the Blue Bulls and Golden Lions – with eight Vodacom Cup titles between them – have sewn up the top two in the North Section and will host their quarterfinal encounters.

 

The Pumas, who had a bye this week, will finish third while five log points separate the Leopards XV, Falcons and Griffons, one of whom will clinch fourth in the North Section.

 

The Blue Bulls recorded the biggest win of the season when they beat the Limpopo Blue Bulls by 83-13 in Pretoria on Saturday afternoon. 

 

The Leopards XV put themselves in a good position to reach the quarterfinals with a big 59-12 win over the Griffons in Hartbeesfontein on Saturday afternoon, while the Falcons' 45-7 win over the Welwitschias in Windhoek on Friday evening means they still have a slim chance of reaching the playoffs.

 

 

The Falcons won only their second game in this year’s Vodacom Cup competition by beating the Welwitschias by 45-7 in the Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek on Friday evening.

 

With both sides finding themselves near the bottom of the log in the North Section, the East Randers’ bonus-point victory kept alive their slim chance of making the top four and qualifying for the quarterfinals.

 

The Falcons completely dominated the first half and ran in no less than six tries before the break in pretty much a one sided affair. As was the case a couple of weeks ago, Falcons scrumhalf Anrich Richter was superb, running in two tries in the first 40 minutes. The visitors’ wing Riaan Arends echoed that performance by also dotting down twice before the half-time whistle.

 

 

Try: Tromp 

Con: Kaizemi

 

Tries: Ladendorf, Richter 2, Arends 2, Odendaal, De Wet

Cons: Kotze 5

 

 

Welwitschias: 15 Russell van Wyk, 14 Phillip Nashikaku, 13 Johann Tromp, 12 Jacques Nell, 11 Silvano Beukes, 10 Shaun Kaizemi, 9 Eneill Buitendag, 8 Rezando Botes, 7 Leneve Damens, 6 Thomasau Forbes (captain), 5 Nico Esterhuyse, 4 Stef Botha, 3 Casper Viviers, 2 Dian Wiese, 1 Jaco Engels.

Replacements: 16 Rathony Becker, 17 Quintin Esterhuizen, 18 Shaun Du Preez, 19 Ulrich Engels, 20 JC Winkler, 21 Justin Nel, 22 Danny Arries.

 

Falcons: 15 Jaun Kotze, 14 Coert Cronje, 13 Andrew van Wyk, 12 Willie Odendaal, 11 Riaan Arends, 10 Chanley Williams, 9 Anrich Richter, 8 Friedle Olivier, 7 Ernst Ladendorf, 6 JP Mostert (captain), 5 Shane Kirkwood, 4 Jacques Alberts, 3 Thulani Ngidi, 2 Dean Muir, 1 Andries Schutte.

Replacements: 16 Devlin Hope, 17 Katlego Kgame, 18 Marlyn Williams, 19 Andrew van Tonder, 20 Johan Pretorius, 21 Grant Janke, 22 Kyle Hendricks.

 

Referee: Lourens van der Merwe

 

 

Western Province flyhalf Robert du Preez played a key role as the Capetonians remained unbeaten in the Vodacom Cup with a 30-29 (half-time 17-3) victory over the Free State XV at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

 

The Western Province pivot, who kicked 21 points, played a vital role in two of the visitors’ three tries as the men from Cape Town desperately hung on for one-point win that extended their lead at the top of the South Section log to six points, which has guaranteed their place at the summit with just one league match remaining.

 

The Free Staters picked up two points for finishing within seven points and scoring four tries ensure they remain amongst the top sides on the log with the quarterfinals creeping closer.

 

 

Tries: Venter, Nieuwoudt, Dolo, Johannes

Cons: Marais 2, Marx

Pen: Marais

 

Tries: Lombard, Mbovane, Viljoen 

Cons: Du Preez 3 

Pens: Du Preez 3

 

 

Free State XV: 15 Luke Cyster, 14 Gerrie Labuschagne, 13 Nicolaas Lee, 12 Joubert Engelbrecht 

(captain), 11 Maphutha Dolo, 10 Niel Marais, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Vincent Jobo, 7 Wayven Smith, 6 Reuben Johannes, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Justin Basson, 3 van Zyl Botha, 2 Jacques du Toit, 1 Teunis Nieuwoudt.

Replacement: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Gunther Janse van Vuuren, 18 Henco Venter, 19 Gerhard Olivier, 20 Noel Marx, 21 Sino Ganto, 22 Enver Brandt.

 

Western Province: 15 EW Viljoen, 14 William Ndayara, 13 Patrick Howard, 12 Kyle Lombard, 11 Tshotsho Mbovane, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Rayn Smid, 7 Jurie van Vuuren, 6 Sikhumbuszo Notshe, 5 Chris van Zyl (captain), 4 Jan de Klerk, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Neil Rautenbach, 1 Sithembiso Sithole.

Replacements: 16 Michael Willemse, 17 Deacon Chowles, 18 Luke van der Smit, 19 Justin Benn, 20 SP Ferreira, 21 Jean-Luc Du Plessis, 22 JP Lewis.

 

Referee: Jason Jaftha

 

 

The Leopards XV ran in eight tries as they thumped the Griffons 59-12 (half-time 21-0) in their Vodacom Cup North Section match at Hartbeesfontein on Saturday.

 

Left wing Adri Jacobs crossed for two tries while inside centre Adriaan Engelbrecht ended with 24 points after scoring a try and kicking five conversions and a penalty goal as the Leopards XV returned to winning ways after a heavy 63-10 loss at the hands of the Golden Lions in their previous match.

 

The victory means the team from Potchefstroom moved into the top for on the North Section log with one league match remaining, displacing the Griffons amongst the play-off contenders.

 

 

Tries: Robertse, Hayward, Du Plessis, Jacobs 2, Engelbrecht, Briers, Bouwer 

Cons: Engelbrecht 8 

Pen: Engelbrecht

 

Tries: Steyn 2 

Con: Pienaar

 

 

Leopards: 15 Myburgh Briers, 14 Sergio Torrens, 13 Jaco Hayward, 12 Adriaan Engelbrecht, 11 Adri Jacobs, 10 Kobus du Plessis, 9 Malherbe Swart, 8 Juan Language (captain), 7 Henro-Pierre Swart, 6 Jaco Jordaan, 5 Francois Robertse, 4 Danie Jordaan, 3 Stephan Bezuidenhout, 2 Dane van der Westhuyzen, 1 Devon Martinus.

Replacements: 16 Wilmar Arnoldi, 17 Cayle Denner, 18 Andries van Blerk, 19 Molotsi Bouwer, 20 Ruan van Rensburg, 21 Schalk Hugo, 22 Hagen Mumba.

 

Griffons: 15 Wynand Pienaar, 14 Norman Nelson, 13 Vuyo Mbotho, 12 Franna du Toit, 11 Tertius Maarman, 10 Louis Strydom, 9 Boela Abrahams, 8 Nicky Steyn (captain), 7 Frans Sisita, 6 Martin Sithole, 5 Chris Ehlers, 4 Jan Breedt, 3 Heinrich Roelfse, 2 Elandre Huggett, 1 Rudi Britz.

Replacements: 16 Khwezi Mkhafu, 17 PW Botha, 18 Mayizukiswe Ntshoko, 19 Dirk Grobbelaar, 20 Oshwill Nortje, 21 Colin Herbert, 22 Bren Marais.

 

Referee: Tahla Ntshakaza

 

 

Zandre Jordaan scored a brace of tries as the SWD Eagles picked up a bonus-point 36-17 (half-time 22-9) Vodacom Cup victory over the Border Bulldogs in Albertinia on Saturday.

 

The home side scored five tries to one as they confirmed their place in the top four with one league match remaining. The SWD Eagles are now seven points clear of the EP Kings in fifth place.

 

The Eagles have a difficult encounter in their final league match when they travel to Cape Town to play the table-topping and undefeated Western Province while the Bulldogs end off their Vodacom Cup campaign with a home match against the Boland Cavaliers and will be attempting to avoid the wooden spoon.

 

 

Tries: Jordaan 2, Stander, Ralph Heyns, Bock 

Cons: Van Vuuren 4 

Pen: Van Vuuren

 

Try: Nomboyo

Pens: Banda 4

 

 

Eagles: 15 Elric van Vuuren, 14 Clinton Wagman, 13 Kirsten Heyns, 12 Luzuko Vulindlu, 11 Alshaun Bock, 10 Gerrit Smith, 9 Dwayne Kelly, 8 Zandre Jordaan, 7 Davon Raubenheimer (captain), 6 Janneman Stander, 5 Peet van der Walt, 4 Schalk Oelofse, 3 Ashley Buys, 2 Marius Fourie, 1 Layle Delo.

Replacements: 16 Wayne Khan, 17 Raoul Larson, 18 Alwyn Bester, 19 Andisa Ntsila, 20 Buran Parks, 21 Leighton Eksteen, 22 Martin du Toit.

 

Border Bulldog: 15 Masixole Banda. 14 Sipho Nofemele, 13 Makazole Mapimpi, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Monwabisi Mkhwakhwi, 10 Oliver Zono, 9 Bangi Kobese, 8 Luvuyo Magwaxaza, 7 Siya Mdaka (captain), 6 Athenkosi Manentsa, 5 Ayabonga Nomboyo, 4 Lindokuhle Welemu, 3 Siyamthanda Ngande, 2 Ludwe Booi, 1 Blake Kyd (captain).

Replacements: 16 Mihlali Mpafi, 17 Buhle Mxunyelwa, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19 Nkosi Nofuma, 20 Zukisani Tywaleni, 21 Onke Dubase, 22 Logan Basson.

 

Referee: Francois Pretorius

 

 

The EP Kings turned on the style in the second half as they recorded a 44-10 (half-time 19-10) victory over the Boland Cavaliers in their Vodacom Cup match at the Central Sports Grounds in Citrusdal on Saturday afternoon.

 

Going into the encounter both teams had only recorded a solitary victory each in the competition. The Cavaliers had conceded 50 points in both their last two matches while the Kings had lost their way against the SWD Eagles last week.

 

 

Try: Adams

Con: Adams 

Pen: Adams

 

Tries: Davis 3, Soyizwapi, Bredenkamp, Graaff , Frylinck 

Cons: Graaff 3 

Pen: Graaff

 

 

Boland Cavaliers: 15 Granville Adams, 14 Harlon Klaasen, 13 Jos Malherbe, 12 Edwin Sass, 11 Ryno Conradie, 10 Christian Rust, 9 Jovelian de Koker, 8 Wayne Wilschut, 7 Gareth Cilliers, 6 Freginald Africa, 5 Gavin Annandale (captain), 4 Yves Bashiya, 3 Schalk Jooste, 2 Kelvin Fikster, 1 Stephanus Wessels.

Replacements: 16 Clemen Lewis, 17 Henri Boshoff, 18 Andre Coetzee, 19 Nicolai Lubbe, 20 Dashton Wellman, 21 Eric Zana, 22 Gerrit van Wyk.

 

EP Kings: 15 Siviwe Soyizwapi, 14 Siphu Msutwana, 13 Siyanda Grey, 12 Ronnie Cooke, 11 Luther Obi, 10 Hansie Graaff, 9 Jaco Grobler, 8 Aidon Davis, 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 Eital Bredenkamp, 5 Cornell Hess, 4 Stefan Willemse, 3 Simon Kerrod, 2 Edgar Marutlulle (captain), 1 Lizo Gqoboka.

Replacements: 16 Michael van Vuuren, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 David Bulbring, 19 Luke Watson, 20 Dylon Frylinck, 21 Marlou van Niekerk, 22 Andile Jho.

 

Referee: Lesego Legoete

 

 

Griquas overcame a nine-point half-time deficit on their way to a hard-fought 27-24 (half-time 8-17) win over the Sharks XV in their Vodacom Cup South Section match at the Woodburn Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday.

 

The visitors also found themselves 24-15 down with just 10 minutes of the match left but they turned in a storming finish as they grabbed two tries, one of which was converted, in the space of five minutes to move to second on the South Section log standings.

 

It was a heart-breaking finish for the Sharks XV, who topped the South Section log the last two seasons, as they lost their fourth match of the season and won’t feature in the play-offs this season.

 

 

Tries: Chavhanga, Majola, Louw 

Cons: Wright 3 

Pen: Wright

 

Tries: Arendse, Janse van Rensburg, Dukisa, Jansen 

Cons: Grant 2 

Pen: Prinsloo

 

 

Griquas: 15 Gouws Prinsloo, 14 Ederies Arendse, 13 Jonathan Francke, 12 Clinton Swart, 11 Rocco Jansen, 10 Dean Grant, 9 Jovan Cookson, 8 Jono Janse van Rensburg, 7 RJ Liebenberg, 6 Wendal Wehr, 5 Hugo Kloppers (captain), 4 Stephan Greeff, 3 Stephan Kotze, 2 AJ Le Roux, 1 Steph Roberts.

Replacements: 16 Sidney Tobias, 17 Wiseman Kamanga, 18 Stephan Malan, 19 Luxolo Koza, 20 Abraham Griesel, 21 Jacquin Jansen, 22 Ntabeni Dukisa.

 

Sharks XV: 15 Garth April, 14 Alcino Izaacs, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Tonderai Chavhanga, 10 Cameron Wright, 9 Hanco Venter, 8 Johan Meyer, 7 Sias Koen, 6 Khaya Majola, 5 John-Charles Astle, 4 Johan du Toit, 3 Marne Coetzee, 2 Monde Hadebe (captain), 1 Barend Potgieter.

Replacements: 16 Andrew du Plessis, 17 Mthunzi Moloi, 18 Christiaan De Bruin, 19 Ayron Schramm, 20 Sandile Kubeka, 21 Tyler Fisher, 22 Charles Mayeza.

 

Referee: Linton Lloyd (Scotland)

 

 

The Blue Bulls delivered a superb performance as they crushed the Limpopo Blue Bulls by 83-13 (24-10 half-time) at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday afternoon.

 

The home team scored 12 tries to one, with Travis Ismaiel, Jamba Ulengo, Roelof Smit and William Small-Smith crossing for a brace of tries each. Eight of the Blue Bulls’ tries came in a second half where they ran riot and scored 59 points.

 

 

Tries: Mxoli, Marais, Ismaiel 2, Ulengo 2, Smit 2, Mahlo, September, Small-Smith 2 

Cons: Marais 7, Stander 3 

Pen: Marais

 

Try: Raseroka 

Con: Beswick

Pens: Beswick 2

 

 

Limpopo Blue Bulls: 15 Kobus Kotze, 14 Jurgen Lochner, 13 Andries Truter, 12 Sampie Hearn, 11 Fanie Raseroka, 10 Anton Beswick, 9 Cornelius Rautenbach, 8 Willem Engelbrecht, 7 Pieter Matthews, 6 Dwayne Pienaar, 5 Isak Deetlefs, 4 Tinus van Wyk (captain), 3 Anton Krynauw, 2 Banie Boonzaaier, 1 Heinrich Els.

Replacements: 16 Derek Botha, 17 Cornelius Greeff, 18 Marnus Erasmus, 19 Mandla Mdaka, 20 Sheldon van den Berg, 21 Dean Gordon, 22 Ethan Louw.

 

Blue Bulls: 15 Akona Ndungane, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 William Small-Smith, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Kobus Marais, 9 Andre Warner, 8 Jacques Engelbrecht, 7 Wiaan Liebenberg (captain), 6 Roelof Smit, 5 Nico Janse van Rensburg, 4 Nqubeko Zulu, 3 Mox Mxoli, 2 Corniel Els, 1 Justin Forwood.

Replacements: 16 Arno van Wyk, 17 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 18 Dennis Visser, 19 Clyde Davids, 20 Kefentse Mahlo, 21 Joshua Stander, 22 Marquit September.

 

Referee: AJ Jacobs

 

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

 

North section: Blue Bulls 7, 6, 29; Golden Lions 6, 6, 28; Pumas 7, 5, 24; Leopards 6, 3, 15; Falcons 6, 2, 14; Griffons 6, 2, 10; Welwitschias 6, 1, 6; Limpopo Blue Bulls 6, 0, 1

 

South section: Western Province 6, 6, 27; Griquas 6, 5, 24; Free State XV 6, 4, 21; SWD Eagles 6, 4, 20; EP Kings 6, 2, 13; Sharks XV 6, 2, 11; Boland Cavaliers 6, 1, 5; Border Bulldogs 6, 0, 1

 

 

85 – JC Roos (Pumas – two tries, 18 conversions, 13 penalties)

77 – Kobus Marais (Blue Bulls – two tries, 20 conversions, nine penalties)

65 – Elric van Vuuren (Eagles – 13 conversions, 13 penalties)

55 – Jaun Kotze (Falcons – one try, 19 conversions, four penalties)

55 – Gouws Prinsloo (Griquas – 11 conversions, 11 penalties)