A hat-trick by Leopards prop Joe Smith and a brace by No 8 Jeandre Rudolph steered the Potchefstroom side to a rewarding 57-20 victory against Eastern Province at home on Friday as they outscored the opposition eight tries to two. The victory for the Leopards ensured that they remained unbeaten, while the defeat for the Eastern Cape side marked their third in as many games.
Defending Currie Cup First Division champions, the Down Touch Griffons, continued to set the pace in the competition – sponsored by Nashua and DirectAxis – as they registered their third bonus-point win a row in a weekend of big victories.
The Down Touch Griffons were in fine form on attack against the SWD Eagles in Welkom on Saturday as they touched down an impressive nine times for their 57-22 victory, with flyhalf Gaun Kotze and Selvyn Davids each earning a brace. The first half was close as the hosts took a 26-17 lead, but they continued to attack at will and tightened up their defence after the break to limit the visitors to scoring only five more points.
The Boland Cavaliers also dominated from the outset against the Border Bulldogs in East London on Saturday thanks to a solid effort on attack and defensive, which saw them score six tries and limit the hosts to a penalty goal for a 42-3 victory. Boland Cavaliers hooker Clemen Lewis and lock Marlyn Williams each scored a brace while fullback Divan Nel slotted over all six conversions in a fine kicking display.
The clash between the Windhoek Draught Welwitschias and Hino Valke in Windhoek on Saturday proved to be a points festival as 103 points and 15 tries were scored, with the visitors emerging narrow 56-47 victors. The Valke went into the break 36-28 ahead and the teams continued to give everything in the second half, but eight tries by the Hino Valke to seven by the Windhoek Draught Welwitschias handed them the edge on the scoreboard.
Top Points scorers after round 3
Theuns Kotze (Windhoek Draught Welwitschias) – 47
Leighton Eksteen (SWD Eagles) – 40
Gerhard Nortier (Leopards) – 34
Duan Pretorius (Down Touch Griffons) – 32
Jeandre Rudolph (Leopards) – 30
Top Try scorers after round 3
Jeandre Rudolph (Leopards) – 6
Selvyn Davids (Down Touch Griffons) – 5
Johan Tromp (Windhoek Draught Welwitschias) – 5
Leopards 57 (24) Eastern Province 20 (6), scorers:
Leopards – Tries: Joe Smith (3), Dane van der Westhuyzen, Jeandre Rudolph (2), Elden Schoeman, Francois Jacobs. Conversions: Gerhard Nortier (3), Schalk Hugo (4). Penalty Goal: Gerhard Nortier.
Eastern Province – Tries: Cody-Anthony Basson, Siyanda Grey. Conversions: Michael Brink, Luv’s Claassen. Penalty Goals: Michael Brink (2).
