Kruisfontein United landed the first telling body blow in the Score Energy Drink EPRU Grand Challenge Top 12 club rugby competition when they edged Progress 10-7 in a nail-biting clash in Humansdorp on Saturday.
Billed as a heavyweight battle between two champion teams, the game went down to the wire before Kruisfontein emerged narrow winners in front of their ecstatic supporters at the Sports Complex.
In what proved to be a low-scoring clash, Kruisfontein had to come from behind to earn full points after they trailed 7-5 at halftime.
All eyes had been on the showdown between the defending Grand Challenge champions Kruisfontein and the newly crowned EC Super 14 champions Progress in round three.
The Grand Challenge will go into recess for the next two weeks before clubs resume battle with a full round of fixtures on May 3.
During the break, Kruisfontein will carry EP's flag when they compete at the Saldanha Super 8 Easter rugby tournament against SA's top teams at the Transnet Saldanha Stadium from Thursday to Monday.
Over the same weekend, Gardens and Harlequins are in action at the inaugural Ebrahim Patel Community Cup in George.
Saturday's win over Progress had given Kruisfontein a timely shot in the arm before they bid for honours in Saldanha.
The result ended Progress's two-match unbeaten run, and they will be looking to bounce back when they take on Grahamstown Brumbies in the fourth round.
Kruisfontein were eager to prove a point against Progress after they pulled out of the Super 14 because of the nonpayment of match fees.
Instead of playing in the Super 14, Kruisfontein competed in a series of friendly matches against Gardens, Harlequins and Despatch Oostelikes, who also withdrew from the tournament.
Kruisfontein, beaten finalists in the 2023 and 2024 Super 14 finals, would have been strong contenders to reach a third consecutive final if they had taken part.
Another team to lose their unbeaten record were Harlequins, who slumped to a surprise 20-12 defeat against the Brumbies in Makhanda.
After beating United Barbarians 28-22 and drawing 15-15 against Gardens, the ambitious Harlequins squad had been tipped to return to Gqeberha with maximum points.
Harlequins must lift their game this weekend if they are to achieve success at the Ebrahim Patel tournament in George.
Struggling Despatch Oostelikes slumped to a third consecutive defeat when they were beaten 22-18 by Trying Stars at Daleview in Despatch.
Oostelikes had been desperate to end their barren run, but they were edged by a determined Stars outfit.
In-form KwaNobuhle side Star of Hope made it back-to-back wins in the Top 12 when they beat Joubertina United 19-13 at the Jabavu Stadium.
After a bye in the first round, Park continued to impress when they scored a convincing 50-34 win over United Barbarians in Patensie.
The Londt Park side's win followed a hard-fought 30-17 second-round win over Trying Stars in Alexandria.
Gardens had a bye this weekend and their next outing is against Park at Londt Park on May 3.
Saturday's third round results:
Top 12: United Barbarians 34 Park 50, Despatch Oostelikes 18 Tying Stars 22, Grahamstown Brumbies 20 Harlequins 12, Kruisfontein United 10 Progress 7, Star of Hope 19 Joubertina United 13. Gardens bye.
Middle 12: Kirkwood 28 Police/Crusaders 0, Kwaru 14 African Bombers 12, Evergreen 28 Spring Rose 0, Hankey Villagers 31 Missionvale 26, Central 36 Jeffreys Bay 26, Motherwell 43 Despatch 29.
Bottom 12: Orlando Eagles 7 Helenvale 10, Adelaide Rangers v Born Fighters (no result available), Middelburg Eagles 28 St Mark's 0, Suburban 31 Windvogel United 22, Aberdeen 28 Kareedouw Tigers 0, Easterns v Lily White (postponed).
Fourth round fixtures (May 3):
Top 12: Joubertina United v Kruisfontein United, Progress v Brumbies, Harlequins v Despatch Oostelikes, Trying Stars v United Barbarians, Park v Gardens. Star of Hope have a bye.
Middle 12: Police/Crusaders v Hankey Villagers, Despatch v Evergreens, Jeffreys Bay v Missionvale, Spring Rose v Kirkwood, Kwaru v Motherwell, African Bombers v Central.
Bottom 12: Helenvale v Suburban, Lily White v Middelburg Eagles, Kareedouw Tigers v Windvogel, St Marks v Orlando Eagles, Adelaide Rangers v Easterns, Born Fighters v Aberdeen.
The Herald
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