The Griffons kept their hopes of reaching the SA Cup rugby final alive when they beat the EP Elephants 45-19 in a scrappy clash on Sunday.
From the outset, the Griffons made it clear they intended to play with ball in hand and they dominated the early exchanges at the Down Touch Investments Stadium in Welkom.
After being on the back foot in the opening 40 minutes, EP gained in confidence in the second half when they took advantage against a Griffons side who lost their composure.
However, two late tries by Duron Hoffman in the 70th and 77th minutes ensured the Griffons ran out comfortable winners.
Early Griffons pressure paid dividends in the fifth minute when burly hooker HP van Schoor crashed over EP’s try line after a powerful driving maul.
EP almost put points on the scoreboard after 10 minutes, but wing Rodney Damons could not latch onto a pass when he appeared set to go over for a try in the corner.
Good interplay between Van Schoor and his backs enabled live-wire Griffons wing Randy Fillies to go over for his team’s second try after 17 minutes.
The game became a scrappy affair midway through the first half, with both teams guilty of careless handling errors which denied them points.
The home crowd were on their feet in the 26th minute when live-wire wing Gurswin Wehr jinxed his way through EP’s defence to score the Griffons’ third try.
With the Griffons driving maul proving to be a dominant weapon, lock Rian Oliver went over for the home team’s fourth five pointer.
EP were rewarded for enterprising play when fullback Mbembe Payi crossed for a try at the end of the first half to give EP a glimmer of hope.
The Griffons started the second half in the same manner as they began the first half, with scrumhalf Richman Gora scoring his team’s fifth try.
EP refused to throw in the towel and wing Jaden Bantom scored a second try for this team in the 48th minute.
The Griffons outfit raced into a commanding 24-5 lead at halftime against an EP side who struggled to match the early pace and cohesion of their opponents.
With the Currie Cup First Division set to kick off in early May, EP are facing big challenges in the weeks ahead.
Before the clash, EP coach Dumisani Mhani told his players to eradicate careless mistakes from their game, but they failed to heed his advice.
EP’s final game is a against a strong Boland Cavaliers at the Rhino Stadium in Piketberg on Saturday.
“It is quite tough ending, but it is giving EP an opportunity to see what we have and how we go forward in the Currie Cup First Division later this year,” Mhani said.
“Everything will revolve around our planning for the Currie Cup and we must get our focus right for that competition.”
In the first game of the weekend on Friday, the Border Bulldogs were thrashed 57-14 by the high-riding Cheetahs in East London.
To their credit, the Bulldogs put up a brave fight against their high-flying opponents and trailed 24-14 at the break.
The SA Cup comprises SA’s non-franchise teams, excluding the Bulls, Lions, Stormers and Sharks, and is played over a single round.
At the conclusion of the league phase, the two top-ranked sides will compete in the SA Cup final on May 24 or 25.
Scorers:
Griffons 45: Tries: HP van Schoor, Randy Fillies, Gurswin Wehr, Rian Olivier, Richman Gora, Duren Hoffman (2). Conversions: Danrich Visagie (5).
EP Elephants 19: Tries: Mbembe Payi (2), Jaden Bantom. Conversions: Ruben de Vos (2)
Other results: Border Bulldogs 14 Cheetahs 57, Falcons 50 Leopards 19, Griquas 75 SWD Eagles 53, Pumas 49 Boland Cavaliers 0.
Final round fixtures:
Friday: Cheetahs v Griquas, Pumas v Griffons. Saturday: SWD Eagles v Leopards, Boland Cavaliers v EP Elephants. Sunday: Border Bulldogs v Falcons.
In a SA women’s Premier Division match on Saturday, the Sharks beat the EP Queens 40-14 at the Madibaz Stadium.
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