The Boland Cavaliers were the standout team after the first round of SA Cup action, after a strong win over the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
Boland stunned the home side as they raced to a 24-0 halftime lead before closing out a deserved 34-24 win.
The visitors struck early through Xavier Mitchell, Thurlow Marsh and Lunathi Nxele, while Juan Mostert controlled proceedings with the boot and a try of his own. The Cheetahs fought back in the second half but the damage had already been done.
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Defending champions the Pumas had to dig deep in George, overturning a 19-7 halftime deficit to edge Heyneke Meyer’s SWD Eagles 28-26 in a thriller.
The Eagles dominated the opening half, but the Pumas responded after the break with tries from Ntsika Fisanti, Valentino Wellman and Dalvon Blood to steal the win.
The Valke produced a composed performance to beat the Eastern Province Elephants 29-23.
EP started brightly and led early, but the visitors’ forward power and a late try from Musa Tshabalala sealed a valuable away victory.
The biggest result of the round came in Kimberley where Griquas hammered the Leopards 101-7, running in 15 tries in a ruthless display.
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Lourens Oosthuizen and Sako Makata both bagged hat-tricks in the rout.
The Griffons completed a strong start to the season with a 36-17 win over the Border Bulldogs.
Chad Tshimanga starred with a hat-trick as the hosts powered clear before Border grabbed three late consolation tries.
Round 2 kicks off next weekend with the Leopards hosting the Cheetahs in Potchefstroom, while the Pumas welcome Eastern Province to Nelspruit on Friday. The Eagles fly to Mdantsane to face the Bulldogs on Saturday, and on Sunday the Cavaliers host the Griffons in Wellington.
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Photo: @TheCurrieCup/X
The post SA Cup: Cavaliers cruise, Griquas raise a century appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Boland Cavaliers were the standout team after the first round of SA Cup action, after a strong win over the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
The post SA Cup: Cavaliers cruise, Griquas raise a century appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
