The Griquas showed up in force in Welkom on Sunday afternoon, winning a must-win match against the Griffons by 57-9. 

The Griquas started strong, scoring two tries within the first eight minutes – the first by Sako Makata and the second by Dylan Maart. Zinedine Robinson failed to convert either try and the Griffons hit back soon after with Moango Ngundue scoring and Andrew Kota converting. 

With the score at 10-7 in the first quarter, it was clear that both teams came to play.

‘Griquas came out guns blazing in the second half’

But the Griquas, who struggled in the Currie Cup competition so far, had a lot to prove to fans and foes alike. Just before the half-hour mark, Marco de Witt scored for the Griquas with Robinson converting, and less than ten minutes later, Makata went over the line for his second try and bagged a much-needed bonus point for the visitors.

Griquas had 73% of the possession in the first half and the score going into halftime (24-7) reflected that. 

Griquas came out guns blazing in the second half, scoring within the first five minutes when hooker Dandré Delport went over the line after good tactical play from Tertius Kruger. Just a few minutes later, full-back Connor Mahoney scored the first of his two tries, both converted by Robinson. 

‘The Griffons tried many times to get their hands on the ball’

It was the Griquas of old and in the 51st minute Tertius Kruger got in on the action. The Griffons tried and failed many times to get their hands on the ball, which resulted in ten penalties against them in the last ten minutes of the game. 

Mahoney and De Witt both scored within the last five minutes of play to give the Griquas an important bonus point win.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger mvh/cg