Griquas and the Pumas recorded big wins in the SA Cup this weekend to pull clear of the chasing pack.
The Pumas pummelled the Leopards 85-0 in Nelspruit on Friday night, while Griquas recorded their sixth straight win as they thrashed Eastern Province 52-9 in Gqeberha on Saturday.
Unbeaten Griquas top the standings on 30 points, followed by the Pumas on 27.
In other results, the Cheetahs came from behind to down the high-flying SWD Eagles 26-17 in George to move up to third on the log on 23 points. The Eagles are fourth on 22.
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The Boland Cavaliers crushed the Border Bulldogs 74-5 in Wellington to keep their semi-final hopes alive, while the Valke hammered the Griffons 68-36 in Welkom.
Boland are fifth on the log with 20 points, followed by the Valke (14), Griffons (11), EP and Leopards (seven each) and winless Border (zero).
In Mbombela, the defending champions Pumas produced a ruthless display against the Leopards, scoring six tries in a dominant first half to establish a 40-0 lead at the break.
Gustav du Rand scored twice, while Jay‑Cee Nel, Dalvon Blood, Wian van Niekerk and Andre Fouché also crossed as the Pumas capitalised on sustained pressure and quick ball.
There was no let-up after the interval as Pumas captain Willie Engelbrecht powered over for a brace, along with further tries from Ruwald van der Merwe and Jan‑Henning Campher.
Former Blitzbok Blood completed his hat-trick in the final moments to cap a clinical team performance.
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Griquas underlined their status as SA Cup title contenders with a commanding victory over EP at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
EP managed to keep the visitors down to a 14-9 at the break. However, Griquas were simply too strong in the second half as they powered away, eventually scoring eight tries as their pace and physicality simply proved too much.
In George, the Cheetahs used their bench to good effect to haul in the Eagles, who had won five of six matches before the weekend.
The hosts led 12-5 at half-time and that became 17-5 in the second half, but the introduction of the Free Staters’ bench, including former Junior Boks hooker Juan Smal, in the second period led to three converted maul tries.
Small led the way with two of the tries.
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EP kick off next weekend’s programme when they host Eastern Cape rivals Border on Friday, followed by a clash between the Leopards and Boland in Potchefstroom.
On Saturday, SWD host the Griffons, the Valke welcome the Cheetahs, and a top-of-the-table clash sees Griquas and the Pumas meet in Kimberley.
Photo: Johan Orton/Gallo Images
The post SA Cup: Griquas, Pumas pull away appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Griquas and the Pumas recorded big wins in the SA Cup this weekend to pull clear of the chasing pack.
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