JC Roos scored 21 points as the Pumas beat the Leopards XV 31-23 in Potchestroom on Friday, while there were also wins for the Blue Bulls and SWD Eagles.

The flyhalf kicked four penalties and two conversions, and grabbed a late try.

The Pumas scored within two minutes of this match through flank Jaco Bouwer. Leopards flyhalf Kobus du Plessis responded with two penalties, before the Pumas regained the lead when lock Frikkie Spies crossed the line.

Roos kicked a penalty, with the Leopards responding with a try from fullback Sergio Torrens that saw the hosts trail 15-13 at the break.

The Leopards took the lead five minutes into the second half when right wing Jaco Hayward scored a converted try.

Du Plessis kicked another penalty, but that was followed by three from Roos, who then sealed the win with a converted try with seven minutes to go.

In other Vodacom Cup matches on Friday, two tries each from left wing Jamba Ulengo and fullback Kefentse Maholo earned the Blue Bulls a 40-21 victory over the Griffons in Pretoria, while the SWD Eagles beat the Sharks XV 36-13 in George. The start of the game was delayed for half-an-hour after the Sharks XV arrived without their jerseys and were forced to play in the Eagles’ away kit.

Leopards XV (23) – Tries: Jaco Hayward, Sergio Torrens. Conversions: Kobus du Plessis (2). Penalties: Du Plessis (3).
Pumas (31) – Tries: Jaco Bouwer, Frikkie Spies, JC Roos. Conversions: Roos (2). Penalties: Roos (4).

Blue Bulls (40) – Tries: Jamba Ulengo (2), Kefentse Mahlo (2), Arno van Wyk. Conversions: Thinus de Beer (2), Kobus Marais. Penalties: De Beer, Marais (2).
Griffons (21) – Tries: Nicky Steyn (2), Martin Sithole. Conversions: Franna du Toit (3).

SWD Eagles (36) – Tries: Zandre Jordaan (2), Kurt Haupt, Alshaun Bock (2). Conversions: Elric van Vuuren (4). Penalty: Van Vuuren.
Sharks XV (13) – Try: Tonderai Chavanga. Conversion: Innocent Radebe. Penalties: Radebe (2).

Photo: Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images