Running in five tries, the Griffons claimed a hard-fought 29–23 victory, but it was a match that went right down to the wire. The visitors from Potchefstroom came agonisingly close to snatching it at the death in a thrilling finish.

The Leopards came out firing and, after several phases of sustained pressure, opened the scoring as Jandré Burger slotted a penalty in just the second minute.

The response from the hosts was immediate. Two minutes later, the Purple People Eaters struck back when winger Izzy Novuka dotted down after a clever cross-kick from captain Jandré de Beer caught the defence napping. Fullback Dehovine Johannes kept his composure to nail a touchline conversion.

Burger added a second penalty to keep the Leopards within touching distance, but seasoned hooker Simon Westraadt crossed for the Griffons’ second try in the 13th minute. Johannes, however, was unable to add the extras on this occasion.

As half-time approached in the Gold Fields, replacement centre Clive Kruger, on for Chris Hollis, powered over for a converted try, giving the Griffons a healthy 19–6 lead at the break.

Zac Bester scored a brace of tries for the Leopards. Photo: Morgan Piek

The Leopards came out a different side in the second half. Fullback Noegh Hayward opened their account with a try in the 55th minute, with Burger adding the conversion. Moments later, former CUT Ixias winger Zac Bester scored his first try for the Leopards, just a week after making his debut against the Cheetahs in Potchefstroom.

Bester wasn’t done yet. Ten minutes later, he completed his brace to hand the Leopards a 23–19 lead and swing the momentum firmly in their favour.

But the Griffons refused to lie down. Johannes crossed for a crucial try just three minutes later to restore the lead, although he couldn’t convert his own effort.

With four minutes remaining, replacement lock Sergio Moreira sealed the deal, diving over in the right corner to stretch the advantage. The Leopards threw everything at the hosts in the closing stages, fighting until the final whistle in search of a late winner, but they ultimately fell just short.

Meanwhile, in Kimberley, a lightning delay of over an hour did little to slow down the Suzuki Griquas, who ran riot in wet conditions at Suzuki Stadium, hammering the Border Bulldogs 97–7.

The hosts piled on an incredible 15 tries, with Marco de Witt, Dylan Maart, Connor Mahoney, Toms Nel and Carl Els all grabbing braces. Zinedine Robinson slotted seven conversions, while George Whitehead added five.

Divan Pieters had a rock solid game for the Leopards. Photo: Morgan Piek

Next Saturday, the Griquas host the Griffons in Kimberley in round four of the SA Cup.

Scorers:

Griffons: Tries – Sibongile Novuka, Simon Westraadt, Clive Kruger, Dehovine Johannes, Sergio Moreira Conv. – Dehovine Johannes 2

Leopards: Tries –  Noegh Hayward, Zac Bester 2, Conv. – Jandré Burger Pen. – Burger 2

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg