Griquas fought back to claim a 19-12 victory over the SWD Eagles in their Vodacom Cup clash in George, while the EP Kings and the Griffons also won on Friday.

On the back of last week's 27-19 away win over EP, Griquas continued their promising away form, which sees them move to the top of the South Section log.

Early penalties by opposing fullbacks, Gouws Prinsloo and Elric van Vuuren, kept the teams deadlocked at 3-3, before Van Vuuren’s boot edged the Eagles ahead. He added two more penalties as the hosts led 12-3.

Griquas replied with a converted try by captain Jaco Nepgen to cut the deficit to just two pionts, before a Prinsloo penalty put the visitors ahead just before the break. The second half was a one-sided affair and Prinsloo struck two more penalties to secure victory for Griquas.

Elsewhere, wing Russell van Wyk’s hat-trick for Namibia's Welwitschias wasn’t enough, as they were on the wrong end of a narrow 32-28 scoreline against the Griffons in Windhoek.

And in East London, flank Paul Schoeman scored a hat-trick to guide the EP Kings to a 27-17 triumph over the Border Bulldogs, who sported an unusual yellow and red playing strip.

SWD Eagles (12) – Penalties: Elric van Vuuren (4).
Griquas (19)  – Try: Jaco Nepgen. Conversion: Gouws Prinsloo. Penalties: Prinsloo (4).

Namibia (28) – Tries: Russell van Wyk (3), Justin Nel. Conversions: Shaun Kaizemi. Penalties: Kaizemi (2).
Griffons (32) – Tries: Bren Marais, Martin Sithole, Willmar Groenewald, Wynand Pienaar. Conversions: Louis Strydom (3). Penalties: Strydom (2).

Border Bulldogs (17) – Tries: Ntando Kebe, Sipho Nofemele. Conversions: Masixole Banda, Oliver Zono. Penalty: Banda.
EP Kings (27) – Tries: Simon Kerrod, Paul Schoeman (3). Conversions: Gary van Aswegen, Scott van Breda. Penalty: Van Aswegen.

Photo: Louis Botha/Gallo Images