Thanks to a stirring second-half fightback, the EP Elephants edged the Leopards 24-20 in an action-packed Currie Cup First Division rugby match in Despatch on Saturday.
The omens had not been looking good for EP at halftime when the team from Potchefstroom powered their way into a commanding 20-5 lead.
EP, however, fought back in the second half to say a valuable victory, which allowed them to shoot to the top of the First Division log standings.
The Elephants have 23 points from seven outings, but their main rivals the Boland Cavaliers (22 points) enjoy the advantage of having two games over their Gqeberha rivals.
EP outscored the Leopards by four tries to one thanks to five pointers from Jaden Bantom, Duan du Plessis, Rodney Damons and Arnold Kleyn.
Two conversions from the boot of Bantom completed EP’s points tally.
“We played well to earn this victory,” relieved EP coach Dumisani Mhani said afterwards.
“The Leopards scored all their points in the first half and the issue of EP not having game for three weeks did disturb our planning.
“But the boys were positive enough to come back and get our systems going again.
“Despite the win there is still quite a lot of work for EP to do.
“I think the positive attitude the guys displayed showed a lot about this EP team.”
EP manager Rafiek Hermans said the victory was a massive confidence booster ahead of their match against the Border Bulldogs in Buffalo City on Saturday.
“The first half was littered with plenty of errors which were capitalised on by the Leopards,” Hermans said.
“We did not come away from the Leopards 22m with enough points to really put pressure on the scoreboard.
“After coach Dumisani’s halftime talk, pointing out where we were not incisive, the second half delivered a more clinical performance from the boys.
“One thing that is evident in this team is that the boys are a good unit, and they have to start well and finish games well.
“EP now look forward to the next game against the Bulldogs knowing that we still can improve in certain areas of the game, but do not need to overhaul any of our systems.
“Well done to the boys for this good victory.”
EP upped their performance after a lacklustre display in their last game when they were beaten by the SWD Eagles in Riversdale after the home team had been reduced to 14 men after a red card.
“After the Eagles defeat we slotted in an extra training sessions because there was some serious work that needed to be done to get our structures back on track again,” Hermans said.
“The team needed to get their shape back again.
“EP went back to the drawing board and did the hard work needed to achieve the required results.”
Scorers:
EP Elephants 24: Tries: Jaden Bantom, Duan du Plessis, Rodney Damons, Arnold Kleyn. Penalties: Jaden Bantom (2).
Leopards 20: Tries: Siniothando Tshontsyi, Kwezi Mafu. Conversion: Lionel April. Penalty: Lionel April. Drop goal: Shirwin Cupido.
First Division results:
Zimbabwe Goshawks 26 Namibian Welwitchias 31, EP Elephants 24 Leopards 20, San Climente Rhinos 33 Kenyan Simbas 22, SWD Eagles 33 Falcons 24.
First Division log (SA teams only with matches played in brackets):
EP Elephants 23 (7), SWD Eagles 23 (7), Falcons 23 (7), Boland Cavaliers 22 (5), Leopards 12 (6), Border Bulldogs 1 (6).
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