Vince Jobo's brace guided the Free State XV to a 35-18 win over the Sharks XV in their Vodacom Cup match in Kokstad on Saturday, while there were also wins for Griquas, Lions and WP.
Apart from Jobo's quick-fire double, Free State fullback Coenie van Wyk contributed a personal tally of 20 match points as they handed the Sharks a second defeat in their three games
The Sharks took the lead courtesy of a ninth-minute penalty by flyhalf Innocent Radebe, but Van Wyk struck back soon after with a try, a conversion and two penalties to put the visitors in front.
The Sharks reduced the deficit with a five-pointer from Daniel du Preez and a second penalty goal by Redebe after he skewed the conversion, to trail 13-11 going into the break.
The hosts started the second stanza like they ended the first when flank Khaya Majola muscled over the line for a converted score, but that would be the last time they held the lead.
After sustained pressure from the Free State XV, Jobo struck twice in the 55th and 61st minutes, before Shaun Venter rounded off the afternoon's work with a fourth try.
Elsewhere, Griquas maintained their unbeaten record with a 37-25 win against the Border Bulldogs in Hartswater, the Golden Lions beat the Pumas 24-16 in Nelspruit and in Port Elizabeth flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis kicked 14 points – four penalties and a conversion – as Western Province held on for a 19-13 away win against the EP Kings.
Sharks XV (18) – Tries: Daniel du Preez, Khaya Majola. Conversion: Innocent Radebe. Penalties: Radebe (2)
Free State XV (35) – Tries: Vincent Jobo (2), Coenie van Wyk, Shaun Venter. Conversions: Van Wyk (3). Penalties: Van Wyk (3).
Griquas (37) – Tries: Rocco Jansen, JW Jonker (2), Hugo Kloppers, Martin Bezuidenhout. Conversions: Clinton Swart (3). Penalties: Swart (2).
Border Bulldogs (25) – Tries: Johannes Jonker, Sipho Nofemele (2). Conversions: Maxisole Banda (2). Penalties: Banda (2).
Golden Lions (24) – Tries: Jacques Nel (2), Ashlon Davids. Conversions: Davids (3). Penalty: Kobus de Kock.
Pumas (16) – Try: Jerome Pretorius. Conversion: JC Roos. Penalties: Roos (3)
EP Kings (13) – Tries: George Whitehead, Sylvian Mahuza. Penalty: Scott van Breda
WP (19) – Tries: Godlen Masimla. Conversion: Jean-Luc du Plessis. Penalties: Jean-Luc du Plessis (4)
Photo: Michael Sheehan/Gallo Images
