Heyneke Meyer's Eagles primed for First Division glory

WRAP: A new Currie Cup First Division champion will be crowned in just under a fortnight’s time after the Griffons failed to make the semifinals, where the SWD Eagles will face the Leopards, and Eastern Province will host the Valke in next weekend’s playoffs after the league phase were completed over the weekend.

SWD emerged as the top side after five rounds of league action on 22 points despite losing their last home fixture by 52-45 to EP, who finished second on the log on 20 points, meaning these two teams earned semifinal hosting rights.

The Valke finished third on 18 points after beating the Griffons by 34-19 in Kempton Park, while in East London it was the Leopards who just managed to hold on for a hard-fought 17-14 away win over Border.

The Leopards’ victory saw them pass the Griffons on the log, finishing fourth on 14 points, with the Northern Free Staters on 11. Winless Border finished on one point.

The top-of-the-table clash at Outeniqua Park was a thriller as EP edged the Eagles 52-45 in a match that delivered 12 tries and a penalty try. The hosts led 31-27 at the break.

EP started strongly through Maxwell Klaasen’s penalty goal before Richman Gora, Christiaan Potgieter and Damon Royle crossed. SWD hit back through a brace by Andre Warner, while Masande Mtshali and Janus Venter also scored. They were also awarded a penalty try.

With both teams adding more tries to their tally, the game went down to the wire in the final 10 minutes. Rune Lucas and Niel Beukes scored converted tries for SWD, while Liyema Matyolweni crossed for the visitors, with Klaasen adding the conversion and a penalty goal.

With scores tied at the end, Mpho Ntsane scored his second try in injury time – also converted by Klaasen, whose boot was the difference on the day – to deny SWD a perfect ending to the league phase of the competition.

Both No 8s, SWD’s Hendrik Stemmet and EP’s Willem van der Walt, received yellow cards, while EP flanker Laken Gray was shown a 20-minute red card.

In Mdantsane, the Leopards held on for a hard-fought 17-14 victory over the Border Bulldogs in their encounter at Sisa Dukashe Stadium on Saturday to book their spot in the semifinals.

Jandre Burger opened the scoring with an early penalty goal before Luyolo Doyi crossed for a converted try. Border responded through Lonwabo Rawana, but a late first-half try by prop Nash Mhere gave the Leopards a 17-7 halftime lead.

The Bulldogs struck early after the break when Sakhe Dingile scored, and Khanya Kama converted, but the visitors defended bravely to secure the win. Leopards centre Brandon Keevy received a yellow card in the first half, while lock Mncedisi Dlwengu was shown a 20-minute red card and replacement hooker Liyema Mgwigwi a late yellow card.

In the third clash of the round, the Valke consolidated their third position on the table with a deserved 34-19 victory over the Griffons at Barnard Stadium on Saturday, ending the team from Welkom’s semifinal hopes.

Having edged the Leopards in a thriller the previous week, the East Rand side again showed their attacking prowess by scoring six tries to three in an entertaining clash.

The home side built a solid foundation in the opening half through tries by lock Cayno February and wing Ilunga Mukendi to lead 10-0 at the break.

The Valke continued their dominance after halftime as centre Zeilinga Strydom crossed shortly after the restart, before fullback Sergio Stalmeester and wing Adrian Joubert added further tries. Strydom completed his brace in the closing stages as the hosts opened up a commanding lead.

The Griffons rallied late through replacement forward Armand Maritz, who scored twice, and lock Sergio Moreira, but the comeback arrived too late to threaten the home side’s control of the contest.

The dates, kick-off times and venues of the Currie Cup First Division semifinals will be confirmed in due course.

*See all the scores and scorers below!

SWD Eagles 45-52 Eastern Province

Scorers:

For SWD:
Tries: Andre Warner 2, Masande Mtshali, Janus Venter, Rune Lucas, Niel Beukes, penalty try
Cons: Divan du Toit 4

For EP:
Tries: Richman Gora, Christiaan Potgieter, Damon Royle, Mpho Ntsane 2, Liyema Matyolweni
Cons: Maxwell Klaasen 5
Pens: Klaasen 4

Border Bulldogs 14-17 Leopards

Scorers:

For Border:
Tries: Lonwabo Rawana, Sakhe Dingile
Cons: Khanya Kama 2

For the Leopards:
Tries: Luyolo Doyi, Nash Mhere
Cons: Jandre Burger 2
Pen: Burger

Valke 34-19 Griffons

Scorers:

For the Valke:
Tries: Cayno February, Ilunga Mukendi, Zeilinga Strydom 2, Sergio Stalmeester, Adrian Joubert
Cons: Stalmeester 2

For the Griffons:
Tries: Armand Maritz 2, Sergio Moreira
Cons: Adriaan Carelse 2