The Griffons and SWD Eagles remain unbeaten after round two of the Currie Cup First Division, which also saw Eastern Province claim a first win of the campaign.
In Welkom on Saturday, the Griffons held on for a dramatic 39-38 victory over the Leopards.
The Leopards led 26-12 at half-time after tries by Siniothando Tshontsyi, Shaun-Christian Baxter and Brandon Keevy, but the home side came roaring back in the second half.
Jandre de Beer and Chris Hollis crossed early before a hat-trick by Chad Tshimanga seemed to have put the game to bed for the hosts.
However, the Leopards struck late through two Ghudian van Reenen tries, but the final conversion drifted wide to leave the visitors agonisingly short of a dramatic win.
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The Eagles kept pace at the top of the standings with a comfortable 45-24 victory over the Valke at Outeniqua Park in George.
The Griffons and SWD both have 10 points after two bonus-point wins each.
The Eagles, who just missed out on qualifying for the Currie Cup Premier Division, raced into a 35-0 half-time lead through tries by Ulrich Wahl, Janus Venter, Xavier Swartbooi, Ulrich Stander and Nathan Meilhon, with Divan du Toit converting all five.
The Valke improved after the break but SWD were always in control of the contest.
On Friday, Eastern Province claimed their first win of the campaign with a 45-5 victory over the Border Bulldogs in East London.
The bonus-point win saw EP move up to third on six points, level with the Valke in fourth. The Leopards have four points and Border are still in search of their first win.
In round three, the Griffons host SWD in a top of the table clash in Welkom, EP face the Leopards at home in Gqeberha, while the Valke welcome Border to Kempton Park.
GRIFFONS (39) – Tries: Chadrack Tshimanga (3), Jandre de Beer, Simon Westraadt, Chris Hollis, Clive Kruger. Conversions: Adriaan Carelse (2).
LEOPARDS (38) – Tries: Siniothando Tshontsyi (2), Ghudian van Reenen (2), Shaun-Christian Baxter, Brandon Keevy. Conversions: Jandre Burger (4).
BORDER BULLDOGS (5) – Try: Lwazi Monakali.
EASTERN PROVINCE (45) – Tries: CJ Velleman (3), Lwandile Mapuko, Richman Gora, Kamvelihle Fatyela, Athenkosi Khethani. Conversions: Maxwell Klaasen (5).
SWD EAGLES (45) – Tries: Janus Venter (2), Ulrich Wahl, Xavier Swartbooi, Ulrich Stander, Nathan Meilhon, Matt Gray. Conversions: Divan du Toit (5).
VALKE (24) – Tries: Thabo Ntunja, Lindokuhle Seteni, Theuns Pretorius, Blaine Golden. Conversions: Sergio Stalmeester (2).
Photo: Marnus Prinsloo/Gallo Images
The post Griffons, Eagles set First Division pace appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Griffons and SWD Eagles remain unbeaten after round two of the Currie Cup First Division, which also saw Eastern Province claim a first win of the campaign.
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