Leopards and Boland set the pace

 

The Qualifier features seven teams battling it out for the last remaining spot in the Currie Cup. The remaining six teams will participate in the Currie Cup First Division.

 

The Leopards defeated the SWD Eagles 45-17 at Outeniqua Park in George on Friday thanks to an impressive six tries, while the Boland Cavaliers were guaranteed of their bonus-point for four tries in the first half against the Griffons on Saturday, which set them up for a 32-22 victory in Malmesbury.

 

In the other match the Border Bulldogs surprised the Griquas with a 20-13 victory at the BCM stadium in East London following a closely contested first half.

 

 

The Boland Cavaliers got off to a strong start in their clash against the Griffons as they ran in an impressive three tries in the first 24 minutes, with right wing Senan Van Der Merwe scoring two of the tries. Such was their dominance in the first half they secured their four-try bonus point shortly before half-time.

 

But the Griffons bounced back strongly in the second half with two tries to add to the one scored in the first half and defended well to prevent the Boland Cavaliers from inflating their score significantly. 

 

In fact, the hosts were only able to add a penalty in the second half, but despite this, they held onto the victory. 

 

 

Tries: Kitshoff, Van Der Merwe 2, Engelbrecht

Cons: Zana 3 

Pens: Zana 2

 

Tries: Brandt, Britz, Maarman

Cons: Strydom 2 

Pen: Strydom

 

 

Boland: 15 Eric Zana, 14 Senan Van Der Merwe, 13 Wilneth Engelbrecht, 12 Edwin Sass, 11 Danwel Demas, 10 Christian Rust, 9 Jovelian de Koker, 8 Wayne Wilschut, 7 Chaney Willemse, 6 Freginald Africa, 5 Gavin Annandale (captain), 4 Hanno Kitshoff, 3 Martin Dreyer, 2 Clemen Lewis, 1 Stephanus Wessels.

Replacements: 16 Chadley Wenn, 17 Deacon Chowles, 18 Yves Bashiya, 19 Nicolai Lubbe, 20 Adriaan Carelse, 21 Jos Malherbe, 22 Ryno Conradie.

 

Griffons: 15 Tertius Maarman, 14 Vuyo Mbotho, 13 Dewald Pretorius, 12 Japie Nel, 11 Alvin Brandt, 10 Louis Strydom, 9 Boela Abrahams, 8 Nicky Steyn (captain), 7 Freddy Ngoza, 6 Frans Sisita, 5 Johan van der Hoogt, 4 Marco Kruger, 3 Rudi Britz, 2 Khwezi Mkhafu, 1 Gerard Baard.

Replacements: 16 Hennie Venter, 17 Daniel van der Merwe, 18 Erik le Roux, 19 Martin Sithole, 20 Oshwill Nortje, 21 Franna du Toit, 22 Wynand Pienaar.

 

 

A strong second-half surge by Border, in which they scored three second-half tries, allowed them to register a morale-boosting victory against 2014 Currie Cup side Griquas at the BCM Stadium in East London.

 

The first half was tight as the teams managed only a penalty a side for a 3-3 half-time score. The Kimberley side, however, had the first say after the break with a try by Stephan Kotze, which pushed them into a 10-3 lead. But Border took control of the match soon after by retaining possession and using it effectively, which earned them three tries. 

 

They supported this with a solid defensive effort, which limited Griquas to only a penalty in the second half. The penalty, however, secured them a valuable bonus point. 

 

 

Tries: Am, Mapimpi, Nofemele

Con: Banda 

Pen: Banda

 

Try: Kotze

Con: Prinsloo

Pens: Prinsloo 2

 

 

Border: 15 Masixole Banda, 14 Sipho Nofemele, 13 Makazole Mapimpi, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Michael Makase, 10 Thembani Mkokeli, 9 Ntando Kebe, 8 Onke Dubase, 7 Siya Mdaka, 6 Lukhanyo Nomzanga, 5 Wandile Putuma, 4 Lindokuhle Welemu, 3 Buhle Mxunyelwa, 2 Mihlali Mpafi, 1 Blake Kyd (captain).

Replacements: 16 Ludwe Booi, 17 Yanga Xakalashe, 18 Billy Dutton, 19 Nkosi Nofuma, 20 Bangi Kobese, 21 Oliver Zono, 22 Lundi Ralarala.

 

Griquas: 15 Gouws Prinsloo, 14 Ederies Arendse, 13 PJ Vermeulen, 12 Michael van der Spuy, 11 AJ Coertzen, 10 Francois Brummer, 9 Tian Meyer (captain), 8 Carel Greeff, 7 RJ Liebenberg, 6 Nardus van der Walt, 5 Jaco Nepgen, 4 Stephan Greeff, 3 Stephan Kotze, 2 Stephan Coetzee, 1 Steph Roberts.

Replacements: 16 AJ Le Roux, 17 Wiseman Kamanga, 18 Hugo Kloppers, 19 Jonathan Adendorf, 20 Rudi van Rooyen, 21 Clinton Swart, 22 Riaan Viljoen.

 

 

The Leopards were in fine form in their clash against the SWD Eagles despite the hosts taking an early 10-3 lead in the opening eight minutes. 

 

The Potchefstroom side found their rhythm in the second quarter and scored two tries compliments of prop Johan Smith and hooker Wian Fourie to take a 17-10 half time lead.

 

They continued to build on this form in the second half and took control of proceedings, which set up left wing Adri Jacobs for a hat-trick. 

 

Right wing Sergio Torrens supported this with another try to increase their tally to six for the match. The SWD Eagles, meanwhile, were only able to add one more try to their score after the break, which forced them to settle for a 45-17 defeat.

 

 

Tries: Van Vuuren, Vsn der Walt

Cons: Van Vuuren 2

Pen: Van Vuuren

 

Tries: Jacobs 3, Smith, Torrens, Fourie 

Cons: Engelbrecht 6 

Pen: Engelbrecht

 

 

SWD Eagles: 15 Elric van Vuuren, 14 Clinton Wagman, 13 Kirsten Heyns, 12 Luzuko Vulindlu, 11 Alshaun Bock, 10 Martin du Toit, 9 Johan Steyn, 8 Zandre Jordaan, 7 Davon Raubenheimer (captain), 6 Janneman Stander, 5 Mzwanele Zito, 4 Schalk Oelofse, 3 Ashley Buys, 2 Kurt Haupt, 1 Marius Fourie.

Replacements: 16 Wayne Khan, 17 Gideon Muller, 18 Peet van der Walt, 19 Christo Du Plessis, 20 Andisa Ntsila, 21 Leighton Eksteen, 22 Brian Skosana.

 

Leopards: 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Sergio Torrens, 13 Adrian Vermeulen, 12 Johan Deysel, 11 Adri Jacobs, 10 Adriaan Engelbrecht, 9 Dillon Smit, 8 Juan Language (captain), 7 Henro-Pierre Swart, 6 Marno Redelinghuys, 5 Francois Robertse, 4 Robert Kruger, 3 John-Roy Jenkinson, 2 Wian Fourie, 1 Johan Smith.

Replacements: 16 Dane van der Westhuyzen, 17 Devon Martinus, 18 Sthembiso Mhlongo, 19 Loftus Morrison, 20 Malherbe Swart, 21 Rowayne Beukman, 22 Jaco Hayward.

 

Currie Cup qualifier log (Under played, won, points)

1. Leopards (1, 1, 5)

2. Boland (1, 1, 5)

3. Border (1, 1, 4)

4. Griquas (1, 0, 1)

5. Falcons (0, 0, 0)

6. Griffons (1, 0, 0)

7. Eagles (1, 0, 0)