Western Province secured a 50-34 bonus-point victory over Border, while there were also wins for the Griffons, Bulls, Lions, Leopards and EP in round two of the SuperSport Rugby Challenge.
Province took control of the South section log after beating the Bulldogs, who had been level on points with them coming into this clash at City Park Stadium in Cape Town. The hosts trailed 26-20 at the break, but dominated the second half to outscore their opponents by seven tries to four, with Scott van Breda crossing the line twice.
In the other South section match, the EP Kings picked up their first win of the competition by beating SWD Eagles 34-29 at Outeniqua Park in George.
In the Central section, the Free State XV slumped to a 38-36 defeat to the Griffons in their first match of the competition. Trailing 36-17 at one stage during the second half, the visitors completed a remarkable comeback in Bloemfontein. Flyhalf Heinrich Bitze had a long-range penalty attempt to win it for the hosts, but his effort was off the mark.
In the other Central section clash, the Leopards edged Griquas 38-36 in a 10-try thriller in Kimberley.
In the North section, Ivan van Zyl scored a hat-trick as the Bulls whipped the Welwitchias 50-25 in Windhoek, while the Golden Lions XV overturned a half-time deficit to down the Pumas 40-29 in Nelspruit.
Western Province (50) – Tries: Scott van Breda (2), Brenden Esterhuizen, Michal Haznar, Chad Solomon, Johan du Toit, Valentino Wellman. Conversions: Brandon Thomson (6). Penalty: Thomson.
Border (34) – Tries: Oliver Zono (2), Bangihlombe Kobese, Sokuphumla Xakalashe. Conversions: Zono (4). Penalties: Zono (2).
SWD Eagles (29) – Tries: Leighton Eksteen, Johannes Uys, John Welthagen, penalty try. Conversions: Eksteen (2), automatic conversion. Penalty: Eksteen.
EP Kings (34) – Tries: Stefan Willemse, penalty try, Waylon Murray, Keanu Vers, Neil Maritz. Conversions: Simon Bolze (2), automatic conversion. Penalties: Bolze.
Free State XV (36) – Tries: Heinrich Bitzi, Ryno Benjamin, Michael van der Spuy, Luther Obi, JW Jonker. Conversions: Heinrich Bitzi (4). Penalty: Bitzi.
Griffons (38) – Tries: Gideon Venter, Vuyo Mbotho (2), Joubert Engelbrecht, Alrin Eksteen. Conversions: Duan Pretorius (3), Jaun Kotze (2). Penalty: Pretorius.
Griquas (35) – Tries: Jan Meyer, Enver Brandt, Ederies Arendse, Wendal Wehr, George Whitehead. Conversions: Whitehead (5).
Leopards (38) – Tries: Tapiwa Mafura, Jan Venter, Rowayne Beukman, Marno Redelingshuys, Gideon van der Merwe. Conversions: Schalk Hugo (5). Penalty: Hugo.
Welwitschias (25) – Tries: David Philander, Andries Rousseau, Johann Greyling. Conversions: Theuns Kotze (2). Penalties: Kotze (2).
Blue Bulls (50) – Tries: Divan Rossouw, Ivan van Zyl (3), Andrew Beerwinkel, Clyde Davids, Eduan Lubbe, Jade Stighling. Conversions: Tony Jantjies (5).
Pumas (29) – Tries: Reynier van Rooyen (2). Conversions: Kobus Marais (2). Penalties: Marais (5)
Golden Lions XV (40) – Tries: Fabian Booysen (2), Shaun Reynolds, Gerhardus Labuschagne. Conversions: Reynolds (4). Penalties: Reynolds (4).
Photo: Gallo Images
