The Pumas and Western Province claimed wins over Griquas and the EP Elephants respectively to stay undefeated after five rounds of the Rugby Challenge.
The Pumas top the North Section following a strong 37-28 win over Griquas in Nelspruit on Saturday, while the WP side had to overcome a spirited EP Elephants team at Newlands, winning 27-13 after trailing 10-13 at the break.
Elsewhere, the Leopards scored their first win of the completion, beating the Welwitschias in Windhoek by 81-8, but the most points of the weekend belonged to the Sharks XV, who outclassed the Border Bulldogs 82-24 in Durban.
It was again a weekend highlighted by high scores, no less so at the Rugby Festival at Bosman Stadium in Brakpan earlier on Sunday, where the Vodacom Blue Bulls scored 64 points in their win over Golden Lions in a match that yielded 13 tries.
The Valke also dented the aspirations of the Griffons by beating them in a match that produced 71 points in front of an appreciative crowd.
Cheetahs wing Jamba Ulengo, who continues his comeback from successive injuries, remains the top scorer after grabbing a brace in their 66-10 win over the Zimbabwe Academy.
Round 5 results:
Sharks XV (82) – Tries: Cullen Collopy, Khutha Mchunu, Zee Mkhabela, Charles Mayeza (3), Jeremy Ward, Sicelo Tole, Henry Chamberlain (2), Murray Koster, Penalty Try. Conversions: Inny Radebe (8), Chamberlain (2).
Border (24) – Tries: Sipho Nofemele, Sonwabiso Mqalo, Aphiwe Stemele. Conversions: Stemele (3). Penalties : Dilolo Mapuko.
SWD (28) – Tries: Dillin Snel (2), Marquit September (2). Conversions: Gerhard Nortier (2), Leighton Eksteen (2).
Boland (43) – Tries: Keenan Cronje (2), Valentino Wellman (2), Shilton van Wyk, Franna Esterhuizen. Conversions: Garrick Mattheus (5). Penalty: Mattheus.
Western Province (27) – Tries: David Brits, Kwenzo Blose, Chris Massyn. Conversions: Abner van Reenen (3). Penalties: Van Reenen (2).
EP Elephants (13) – Try: Riaan Arends. Conversion: Ntabeni Dukisa; Penalties: Dukisa (2).
Zimbabwe Academy (10) – Try: Aiden Burnett. Conversion: Brendon Mandivenga. Penalty: Mandivenga
Free State Cheetahs XV (66) – Tries: Tapiwa Mafura (2), Lubalalo Dobela (2), Jamba Ulengo (2), Janus Venter, Jacques du Toit, Darren Adonis, Daniel Maartens. Conversions: Ernst Stapelberg (3), Dobela (2), Adriaan Carelse (2).
Welwitschias (8) -Try: Uazikamisa Mieze. Penalty: Henrique Olivier.
Leopards (81) – Tries: Eugene Hare (3), Evardi Boshoff (2), Muziwandile Mazibuko, Morne Moos, Lungelo Gosa, Gustav du Rand, Andre Fouche, Bradley Moolman, Keagan Tait, Wilmar Groenewald. Conversions: Schalk Hugo (8).
Pumas (37) – Tries: Morne Joubert (2), Renier van Rooyen, Jeandre Rudolph, Corniel Els. Conversions: Chris Smith (3). Penalties: Smith (2).
Griquas (28) – Tries: Anthony Volmink, Ederies Arendse, Enver Brandt, Conway Pretorius. Conversions: George Whitehead (4).
Blue Bulls (62) – Tries: Lian du Toit, Diego Appollis (2), Matthys Basson, Jade Stighling (2), Travis Ismaiel (2), Duncan Matthews. Conversions: Marnitz Boshoff (5), Theo Boshoff (2). Penalties: Marnitz Boshoff.
Golden Lions XV (24) – Tries: Bonianga Mpeku, Ruan Vermaak, Prince Nkabinde, James Venter. Conversions: Ruan Combrinck (2).
Valke (41) – Tries: Rodney Damons (2), Jan Venter, Andries Truter (2), Siphiwe Sithole. Conversions: Andre du Plessis (4). Penalties: Du Plessis.
Griffons (31) – Tries: Ezrick Alexander (3), Duan Pretorius, Duncan van Vuuren. Conversions: Jaywinn Juries, Pretorius, Alexander.
Photo: Gallo Images
