The Griquas proved far too strong for Portugal's Lusitanos, while the Airlink Pumas accounted for Romania A. The Cheetahs, meanwhile, produced a spirited second-half comeback to overcome Georgia's Black Lion and maintain their perfect record in the competition.

Despite trailing 17–7 at half-time and falling further behind early in the second half, the Cheetahs stormed back to claim a 47–31 victory at the Toyota Stadium. A dramatic swing in momentum followed a red card for the visitors, allowing the hosts to score six tries after the break.

Zander du Plessis. Photo: Johan Pretorius 

Black Lion controlled much of the first half, using their physicality at the scrum, dominance at the breakdown and disciplined defence to frustrate the home side. The Cheetahs created several opportunities inside the visitors' 22 but were unable to convert sustained pressure into points, an area they will want to improve ahead of the Currie Cup.

The turning point came as Black Lion's discipline began to falter under pressure. Captain Mikheil Babunashvili was first shown a yellow card for repeated offside infringements. Shortly after lock Davit Abdushelishvili extended the Georgian side's lead to 24–7, Babunashvili received a second yellow card in the 56th minute, which resulted in a 20-minute red card.

The extra space immediately benefited the Cheetahs. Tries by prop Ben Pitout, scrumhalf Marco Jansen van Vuren and centre Munier Hartzenberg helped the hosts surge into a 28–24 lead by the 63rd minute. Tempers later flared, resulting in yellow cards for Otar Giorgadze and Daniel Maartens.

Flyhalf Jacob van der Walt and centre Zander du Plessis, who earned the Player of the Match award, also crossed the tryline before Hartzenberg completed his second try of the afternoon to seal the win.

Earlier, the Suzuki Griquas delivered a ruthless attacking display to defeat Lusitanos 76–7. Having led 24–7 at the break, the defending Currie Cup champions piled on the points in the second half, finishing with 12 tries to move to the top of the standings after the first leg.

Wing Connor Mahoney starred with four tries and was named Player of the Match, while outside centre Tom Nel also enjoyed a memorable outing by scoring a hat-trick.

Connor Mahoney scored four tries against the Lusitanos. Photo: Morgan Piek

In the day's second fixture, the Pumas secured a convincing 45–26 victory over Romania A after taking a 24–5 lead into half-time.

The Romanians were reduced to 14 men for a 20-minute period in the first half following two yellow cards, and the Pumas capitalised. Two early second-half tries and an interception score by lock JJ Scheepers stretched the lead to 41–5, with Scheepers later receiving the Player of the Match accolade.

Although the result was effectively settled by then, Romania A continued to fight and enjoyed more possession during the closing stages. The Pumas had the final say when left wing Alfonso Izas scored their eighth try shortly before full-time.

The visitors were forced to finish the contest with 14 players after fullback Toni Maftei suffered an injury and no replacements remained available.

Romania A were awarded a penalty try after the final hooter, but it did little to alter the outcome as the Pumas comfortably secured victory.

Attention now turns to the Currie Cup, before the second leg of the Toyota Challenge, which will take place in October in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi.

Scorers:

Griquas: Tries – Connor Mahoney 4, Keagan Blanckenberg, Tom Nel 4, Cameron Hufke, Zane Bester, Sako Makata, Caleb Abrahams Conv. – George Whitehead 4, Hufke 4

Lusitanos: Try – Diogo Pinheiro Conv. – Hugo Aubry

Pumas: Tries – Sango Xamlashe 2, Willie Engelbrecht, Thomas Bursey, Ntsika Fisanti, Jay-Cee Nel, JJ Scheppers, Alfonso Isaacs Conv. – Nevaldo Fleurs 2, Clinton Swart

Romania A: Tries – Mihai Graure, Toni Maftei, Serge Ie Mazek, Penalty Try Conv. – Le Mazek 2

Cheetahs: Tries – Michael Annies, Ben Pitout, Marco Jansen van Vuren, Munier Hartzenberg 2, Jaco van der Walt, Zander du Plessis Conv. – Van der Walt 5, Cohen Jasper

Black Lion: Tries – Giorgi Sinauridze, Roma Makhatadze, Davit Abdushelishvili, Tornike Kakhoidze Conv. - Luka Tsirekidze 4 Pen. – Tsirekidze

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek sm