Rugby
Griffons secure first win of the Currie Cup First Division season─── ILSE SMALBERGER 11:40 Sun, 22 Jun 2025
The Novavit Griffons got their first Currie Cup First Division win of the season after beating Eastern Province 66-32 in Welkom on Saturday afternoon.
Hooker Willem van den Hever grabbed four of the nine tries to their visitors’ four tries in the end.
Outside back Andrew Kota converted eight of the nine Griffons tries and succeeded with a penalty goal for a personal tally of 19 points via the kicking boot. Oliver Zono (flyhalf) slotted three conversions and two penalty goals for EP.
The Valke registered their second successive victory when they defeated the Leopards 50-24 in in Kempton Park and remains the only unbeaten side in the competition after two rounds.
On Friday, Border lost their home clash 33-29 to the SWD Eagles, despite leading comfortably 26-12 at the halfway stage in East London.
After the weekend’s matches, the Valke remains in top spot with a perfect 10 points. The Eagles moved into second place as they climbed to seven points following their hard-earned win over Border. The Griffons, Leopards and EP all have six points from one win in two games, while Border have two points but are still searching for their first win.
In next weekend's third round games, Border host log leaders the Valke in East London, and SWD welcome the Griffons to George, with both games taking place on Friday at 18:00. The remaining fixture of the round will be played in Potchefstroom from 15:00 on Saturday, when the Leopards entertain EP.
Scorers:
Valke 50 (40), Leopards 24 (7)
Valke – Tries: Zingisa April (3), Waqar Solaan, Blaine Golden, Sergio Stalmeester, Mosolwa Mafuma, Adrian Joubert. Conversions: Keagan Fortune (4), Mbembe Payi.
Leopards – Tries: Siniothando Tshontsyi, Jason Jansen, Brandon Keevy, Gcino Mdletshe. Conversions: Shaun Baxter (2).
NovaVit Griffons 66 (35), Eastern Province 32 (17)
Griffons – Tries: Willem van den Hever (4), Buhle Nojekwa, Kabelo Mokoena, Ngia Selengbe, Richman Gora, Joshua Paris. Conversions: Andrew Kota (8), Kyle Cyster. Penalty goal: Kota.
EP – Tries: Johannes Huisamen, Sherwin Slater, Rodney Damons, Andile Ngonyama. Conversions: Oliver Zono (3). Penalty goals: Zono (2).
Border Bulldogs 29 (26), Phangela SWD Eagles 33 (12)
Border – Tries: Kamvelihle Fatyela (2), Soso Xakalashe, Camagu Dlisani. Conversions: Maxwell Klaasen (3). Penalty goal: Klaasen.
Eagles – Tries: Marco Fuhri (2), Clive Kruger (2), Marlo Weich. Conversions: Weich (3), Sachin Toring.
