Heinrich Brüssow made his comeback from a lengthy injury lay-off in a losing cause in the Vodacom Cup against Western Province.
Province outscored Free State three tries to two in Cape Town, winning 28-15 in their battle for second spot on the South Section log.
Tries from wing Devon Williams and centres Robert du Preez and Huw Jones, along with 13 points from the boot of flyhalf Kurt Coleman, was enough for the Cape side to claim the victory. Free State’s points came courtesy of tries from Kevin Stevens and Renier Botha and a penalty and conversion from Riaan Smit.
In another Cape Town match, tries from André Esterhuizen, Johan Meyer, Neil Maritz and Thomas du Toit propelled the Sharks to a 40-3 victory against the Tusker Simba XV, to reaffirm their dominance at the top of the South Section log.
In Middelburg, the Pumas continued their winning streak by beating the Leopards XV 44-31. They, like the Sharks, are assured of a spot in the play-offs.
The Golden Lions ran riot in Polokwane, thrashing the Limpopo Blue Bulls 110-0. They scored 16 tries, with flyhalf Willie du Plessis converting 15.
In other results, the Blue Bulls beat the Griffons 49-10, the EP Kings won 28-21 against fellow bottom-feeders the Boland Kavaliers, Griquas beat the Valke 64-34 and SWD overpowered Border 40-26.
NORTH SECTION
Pumas (44) – Tries: Jacques Momberg, Rudi Mathee (2), Ruwellyn Isbell, Uzair Cassiem. Conversions: JC Roos (5). Penalties: Roos (2), Sinovuyo Nyoka.
Leopards XV (31) – Tries: George Tossel (2), Jacques Vermaak, SW Oosthuizen. Conversions: Gerhard Nortier (4). Penalty: Nortier.
Blue Bulls (49) – Tries: Burger Odendaal, Clayton Blommetjies (2), Hencus van Wyk (2), Ryan Nell, Sampie Mastriet. Conversions: Joshua Stander, Tian Schoeman (3). Penalties: Schoeman (2).
Griffons (10) – Try: Vuyo Mbotho. Conversion: Franna du Toit. Penalty: Du Toit.
Griquas (64) – Tries: Carel Greeff (3), Dustin Jinka, Ederies Arendse (2), Jonathan Adendorf, Rocco Jansen, Rynard Landman, Tian Meyer. Conversions: Francois Brummer, Gouws Prinsloo (3), Jacquin Jansen (3).
Valke (34) – Tries: Anrich Richter, Peet Vorster, Sandile Ngcobo (2), Shane Kirkwood. Conversions: Angus Cleophas (2), Wayne Gardner. Penalty: Cleophas.
Golden Lions (110) – Tries: Caswell Khoza, Chrysander Botha (2), Cyle Brink (2), Lourens Erasmus, Nico Du Plessis (2), Ruaan Lerm, Ruhan Nel (2), Selmo Gavor, Sipha Qinisile, Stephan de Wit (2), Stokkies Hanekom. Conversions: Willie du Plessis (15).
Limpopo Blue Bulls (0)
SOUTH SECTION
WP (28) – Tries: Devon Williams, Huw Jones, Robert du Preez. Conversions: Kurt Coleman (2). Penalties: Coleman (3).
Free State XV (15) – Tries: Kevin Stevens, Renier Botha. Conversion: Riaan Smit. Penalty: Smit.
Tusker Simba XV (3) – Penalty: Kenny Andola
Sharks XV (40) – Tries: Andre Esterhuizen, Johan Meyer, Neil Maritz, Thomas du Toit. Conversions: Esterhuizen, Tim Swiel (3). Penalties: Swiel (4).
EP Kings (28) – Tries: Penalty try, Cameron Lindsay, Siphe Punguzwa. Conversions: Ntabeni Dukisa (2). Penalties: Dukisa (3).
Boland Kavaliers (21) – Tries: Harlon Klaasen, John-Charles Astle. Conversion: Christian Rust. Penalties: Rust (3).
Border Bulldogs (26) – Tries: Makazole Maphimpi, Michael Makase, Sipho Nofemele, Thembani Mkokeli. Conversions: Bangi Kobese (2), Mario Noordman.
SWD (40) – Tries: Alshaun Bock (3), Alwyn Bester, Hentzwill Pedro, Lyndon Hartnick. Conversions: Karlo Aspeling (5).
Photo: Shaun Roy/Gallo Images
