The Border Bulldogs clinched a 37-32 win over the Sharks in round two of the Currie Cup qualifiers, while there were also victories for SWD and Griquas on Friday.
In an exciting clash in East London, the hosts withstood a late onslaught by the Sharks to record a second successive win and their first bonus-point triumph of the season.
Border, who beat the Golden Lions in the opening round, outscored the struggling Sharks six tries to four to move up to third on the log. Border's right winger Makazole Mapimpi posed the biggest attacking threat to the Sharks, scoring an incredible four tries; while flyhalf Oliver Zono bagged a brace.
Trailing 22-3 at the break, the Sharks fought back in the second half to close the deficit to 32-29 and almost snatched a thrilling victory. Border, however, kept the scoreboard ticking over and defended bravely in the dying minutes to hang on for the win.
Earlier in the day, the SWD Eagles recorded a come-from-behind 25-21 bonus-point win against the Pumas in George.
The visitors led 21-8 at the break, but a strong second-half surge, including a brace by hooker Mark Pretorius, saw the Eagles complete the comeback.
And in Kempton Park, Griquas crushed the Valke 56-29. The visitors had wrapped up the four-try bonus point in the first half and doubled their try tally in the second half. Left winger Etienne Taljaard bagged a hat-trick in the losing cause, with his last two tries coming late in the match to add some respectability to the Valke’s score.
Currie Cup qualifier results (Round 2):
Border Bulldogs (37) – Tries: Makazole Mapimpi (4), Oliver Zono (2). Conversions: Masixole Banda (2). Penalty: Banda.
Sharks XV (32) – Tries: Khaya Majola, Tristan Tedder, Ruan Kramer, Tjiuee Uanivi. Conversions: Tedder (2), Innocent Radebe. Penalties: Tedder, Radebe.
SWD Eagles (25) – Tries: Mark Pretorius (2), Martin du Toit, Christo du Plessis. Conversion: Hansie Graaff. Penalty: Graaff.
Pumas (21) – Tries: Marcello Sampson, Marnus Schoeman.Conversion: Justin van Staden. Penalties: Van Staden (3).
Valke (29) – Tries: Etienne Taljaard (3), Andries Truter, Thabo Mamojele. Conversions: Christo Coetzee (2).
Griquas (56) – Tries: AJ Coertzen, Clinton Swart, Jason Fraser (2), Rudi van Rooyen (2), Alshaun Bock, Ederies Arendse. Conversions: Swart (7), Gouws Prinsloo.
Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images
