Leopards sneak into play-offs

The Lions and Western Province finished the league phase of the Vodacom Cup unbeaten and will host quarterfinals next week, along with the Blue Bulls and Griquas.

The four teams that will have to travel for their quarterfinals, are the Pumas, Leopards, Free State and SWD Eagles.

With seven of the eight quarterfinalists determined before the last round of matches kicked off, the Leopards did what was needed by securing a 33-25 bonus-point victory over the Welwitschias in Windhoek to book their place in the top eight.

In the other two North Section matches, the Golden Lions were too strong for the Griffons in Welkom (36-20) and the Falcons edged the Limpopo Blue Bulls in Polokwane (38-27).

In the South Section, the EP Kings beat the Sharks in Port Elizabeth (23-8), Western Province clinched victory against the SWD Eagles in Cape Town (27-19) and the Border Bulldogs got their first win of the season against the Boland Cavaliers in Alice (29-5).

But the match of the weekend was probably the encounter between the Free State and Griquas in Kimberley, where 14 points were scored in the final 10 minutes and the home team clinched a 19-18 win thanks to a penalty-goal in injury time.

Vodacom Cup quarterfinals (date and kick-off times TBC):

Golden Lions (North One) v SWD Eagles (South Four) - Johannesburg

Western Province (South One) v Leopards (North Four) - Cape Town

Blue Bulls (North Two) v Free State (South Three) - Pretoria

Griquas (South Two) v Pumas (North Three) - Kimberley

Match reports!

Griffons 20 Golden Lions 36

The Golden Lions made sure they won the Northern Section of the Vodacom Cup after beating the Griffons 36-20 in Welkom on Friday.

The win - their seventh of the season - means they will host one of the four quarterfinals next weekend.

The Golden Lions dominated most of the match and will go into the playoffs with a lot of confidence after scoring six tries in Welkom, which included a brace by No.8 Jano Venter.

Scorers:

Golden Lions:

Tries: Venter 2, Davids, Van der Walt, Ackermann, Hanekom

Cons: Van der Walt 3

Griffons:

Tries: Nelson, Maarman, Mboto, Steyn

Teams:

Griffons: 15 Tertius Maarman, 14 Norman Nelson, 13 Wynand Pienaar, 12 Colin Herbert, 11 Vuyo Mbotho, 10 Louis Strydom, 9 Oshwill Nortje, 8 Nicky Steyn (captain), 7 Frans Sisita, 6 Martin Sithole, 5 Chris Ehlers, 4 Jan Breedt, 3 Rudi Britz, 2 Elandre Huggett, 1 Gerard Baard.

Replacements: 16 Khwezi Mkhafu, 17 Daniel van der Merwe, 18 Heinrich Roelfse, 19 Mayizukiswe Ntshoko, 20 Willmar Groenewald, 21 Boela Abrahams, 22 Malcolm-Kerr Till.

Golden Lions: 15 Ashlon Davids, 14 Mark Richards, 13 Stokkies Hanekom, 12 Gerdus van der Walt, 11 Sampie Mastriet, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Ricky Schroeder (captain), 8 Jano Venter, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Bobby de Wee, 5 Luvuyiso Lusaseni, 4 Martin Muller, 3 Pieter Scholtz, 2 Mark Pretorius, 1 Dylan Smith.

Replacements: 16 Ramone Samuels, 17 Tyson Mulamba, 18 Lourens Erasmus, 19 Ruan Ackermann, 20 Lohan Jacobs, 21 Jacques Nel, 22 Kobus de Kock.

Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys

Welwitschias 25 Leopards 33

They were made to work hard, but in the end the Leopards secured their spot in the Vodacom Cup quarterfinals with a bonus-point 33-25 (half-time 26-15) victory over the Welwitschias at the Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek on Friday.

Vice-captain and flyhalf Shaun Michael Kaizemi dominated the scoreboard for the home team, but it was not enough to prevent the men from Potchefstroom from securing fourth spot on the log.

After the Namibians opened the scoring, the rest of the night belonged to the Leopards though, who secured their bonus-point before half-time.

Scorers:

Welwitschias:

Tries: Kaizemi 2, Esterhuyse, Van Wyk

Con: Kaizemi

Pen: Kaizemi

Leopards:

Tries: Swart, Bezuidenhout, Du Plessis, Jordaan, Van der Westhuizen

Cons: Engelbrecht 4

Teams:

Welwitschias: 15 Russell van Wyk, 14 Johann Tromp, 13 JC Greyling, 12 Danny Arries, 11 Malcolm Edwin Moore, 10 Shaun Kaizemi, 9 Eneill Buitendag, 8 Roderique Victor, 7 Thomasau Forbes, 6 Morton van Kradenburg, 5 Nico Esterhuyse, 4 Janco Venter, 3 Casper Viviers, 2 Rathony Becker, 1 Jaco Engels (captain).

Replacements: 16 Shaun Esterhuizen, 17 Abel de Klerk, 18 Ulrich Engels, 19 Rezando Botes, 20 Arthur Bouwer, 21 Justin Nel, 22 Tuna Amutenya.

Leopards: 15 Myburgh Briers, 14 Sergio Torrens, 13 Johan Deysel, 12 Adriaan Engelbrecht, 11 Adri Jacobs, 10 Kobus du Plessis, 9 Malherbe Swart, 8 Juan Language (captain), 7 Henro-Pierre Swart, 6 Jaco Jordaan, 5 Francois Robertse, 4 Danie Jordaan, 3 Stephan Bezuidenhout, 2 Dane van der Westhuyzen, 1 Devon Martinus.

Replacements: 16 Wian Fourie, 17 Johan Smith, 18 Neil Morrison, 19 Molotsi Bouwer, 20 Ruan van Rensburg, 21 Rowayne Beukman, 22 Rhyno Smith.

Referee: Archie Sehlako

EP Kings 23 Sharks 8

The Eastern Province Kings finished their Vodacom Cup campaign with a 23-8 victory (half-time 8-8) over the Sharks in a South Section clash at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Friday.

The home team made some frustrating errors on attack but were solid on defence and deserved their victory on the night.

For all their dominance in the loose and set phases during the early exchanges, the Kings struggled to convert all their possession into territory.

Scorers:

EP Kings:

Tries: Obi, Grobler, Acker

Con: Van Breda

Pens: Graaff, Van Breda

Sharks:

Try: Venter

Pen: April

Teams:

EP Kings: 15 Siviwe Soyizwapi, 14 Siyanda Grey, 13 Ronnie Cooke, 12 Tim Whitehead (captain), 11 Luther Obi, 10 Hansie Graaff, 9 Jaco Grobler, 8 Paul Schoeman, 7 Stefan Willemse, 6 Thembelani Bholi, 5 Cornell Hess, 4 Mthetheleli Fuzani, 3 CJ van der Linde, 2 Edgar Marutlulle, 1 Lizo Gqoboka.

Replacements: 16 Michael van Vuuren, 17 Abongile Mnyaka, 18 David Bulbring, 19 Eital Bredenkamp, 20 Enrico Acker, 21 Siphu Msutwana, 22 Scott van Breda.

Sharks: 15 Garth April, 14 Paul Perez, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Tonderai Chavhanga, 10 Heimar Williams, 9 Hanco Venter, 8 Lubabalo Mtembu, 7 Johan Meyer, 6 Khaya Majola, 5 Jean Droste, 4 Christiaan de Bruin, 3 Marne Coetzee, 2 Monde Hadebe (captain), 1 Barend Potgieter.

Replacements: 16 Johan Erasmus, 17 Mthunzi Moloi, 18 Sias Koen, 19 Francois Kleinhans, 20 Cameron Wright, 21 Sandile Kubeka, 22 Alcino Izaacs.

Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni

Western Province 27 SWD Eagles 19

Western Province cemented their place at the top of the Vodacom Cup South Section log with a bonus-point 27-19 (half-time 14-9) victory over the SWD Eagles at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday to set up a home quarterfinal with the Leopards.

Jaco Taute scored a try on his return from injury but it was flank Tapiwa Tsomondo who grabbed the limelight with a brace of tries as the men from Cape Town made sure of a home quarterfinal and potential home semifinal should they overcome the Leopards next week.

Scorers:

Western Province:

Tries: Taute, Tsomondo 2, Mbovane

Cons: Du Preez 2

Pen: Du Plessis

SWD Eagles:

Try: Eksteen

Con: Van Vuuren

Pens: Van Vuuren 3, Smith

Team:

Western Province: 15 EW Viljoen, 14 Tshotsho Mbovane, 13 Jaco Taute, 12 Kyle Lombard, 11 JP Lewis, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Rayn Smid, 7 Sikhumbuszo Notshe, 6 Tapiwa Tsomondo, 5 Chris van Zyl, 4 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Michael Willemse (captain), 1 Oliver Kebble.

Replacements: 16 Charlton van Jaarsveld 17 Sithembiso Sithole, 18 Jan de Klerk, 19 Justin Benn, 20 SP Ferreira, 21 Jean-Luc Du Plessis, 22 William Ndayara.

SWD Eagles: 15 Elric van Vuuren, 14 Clinton Wagman, 13 Kirsten Heyns, 12 Martin du Toit, 11 Alshaun Bock, 10 Gerrit Smith, 9 Dwayne Kelly, 8 Zandre Jordaan, 7 Davon Raubenheimer (captain), 6 Janneman Stander, 5 Mzwanele Zito, 4 Schalk Oelofse, 3 Ashley Buys, 2 Marius Fourie, 1 Layle Delo.

Replacements: 16 Wayne Khan, 17 Raoul Larson, 18 Peet van der Walt, 19 Andisa Ntsila, 20 Christo Du Plessis, 21 Leighton Eksteen, 22 Daniel Roberts.

Referee: Lloyd Linton (Scotland)

Griquas 19 Free State 18

A penalty goal by Dean Grant in the 81st minute broke the hearts of the Free State and sent fans at Park in Kimberley into exhilaration as Griquas edged their neighbours 19-18 in their Vodacom Cup South Section derby on Saturday.

Free State led 10-7 at half-time but could not capitalise on that lead as the home team snuck in at the death.

The result secured second spot on the South Section log for Griquas, while Free State finished in third (22 points).

Scorers:

Griquas:

Try: Van Rooyen

Con: Prinsloo

Pens: Prinsloo, Grant 3

Free State:

Tries: Erasmus, Brandt

Con: Du Plessis

Pen: Du Plessis

DG: Erasmus

Teams:

Griquas: 15 Gouws Prinsloo, 14 Danie Dames, 13 Ederies Arendse, 12 Jonathan Francke, 11 Ntabeni Dukisa, 10 Clinton Swart, 9 Rudi van Rooyen, 8 Jono Janse van Rensburg, 7 RJ Liebenberg, 6 Wendal Wehr, 5 Hugo Kloppers (captain), 4 Stephan Greeff, 3 Stephan Kotze, 2 AJ Le Roux, 1 Wiseman Kamanga.

Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Luxolo Koza, 18 Stephan Malan, 19 Carel Greeff, 20 Abraham Griesel, 21 Dean Grant, 22 Jacquin Jansen.

Free State: 15 Ludwig Erasmus, 14 Sino Ganto, 13 Nicolaas Lee, 12 Joubert Engelbrecht (captain), 11 Maphutha Dolo, 10 Willie du Plessis, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Thato Ngoza, 7 Vincent Jobo, 6 Reuben Johannes, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Henco Venter, 3 Van Zyl Botha, 2 Jacques du Toit, 1 Teunis Nieuwoudt.

Replacements: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Gunther Janse van Vuuren, 18 Gerhard Olivier, 19 Wayven Smith, 20 Nhlanhla Hlongwane, 21 Niel Marais, 22 Alvin Brandt.

Referee: Lesego Legoete

Border Bulldogs 29 Boland Cavaliers 5

Makazole Mapimpi scored 24 points as the Border Bulldogs ended their Vodacom Cup campaign on a high with a 29-5 (half-time 19-0) South Section victory over the Boland Cavaliers at the University of Fort Hare on Saturday.

The enigmatic left winger scored three tries, three conversions and a penalty goal to round off a fine as the home side handed over the wooden spoon to the Cavaliers as their bonus-point victory lifted them above the side from the Western Cape.

Scorers:

Border Bulldogs:

Tries: Mapimpi 3, Makase

Cons: Mapimpi 3

Pen: Mapimpi

Boland Cavaliers:

Try: Klaasen

Teams:

Border Bulldogs: 15 Michael Makase, 14 Sipho Nofemele, 13 Lundi Ralarala, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Thembani Mkokeli, 9 Ntando Kebe, 8 Onke Dubase, 7 Siya Mdaka, 6 Lukhanyo Nomzanga, 5 Wandile Putuma, 4 Lindokuhle Welemu, 3 Johannes Jonker, 2 Mihlali Mpafi, 1 Blake Kyd (captain).

Replacements: 16 Mbeko Kota, 17 Yanga Xakalashe, 18 Billy Dutton, 19 Nkosi Nofuma, 20 Bangi Kobese, 21 Oliver Zono, 22 Logan Basson.

Boland Cavaliers: 15 Eric Zana, 14 Harlon Klaasen, 13 Christian Rust, 12 Edwin Sass, 11 Jos Malherbe, 10 Granville Adams, 9 Jovelian de Koker, 8 Wayne Wilschut, 7 Andre Coetzee, 6 Freginald Africa, 5 Gavin Annandale (captain), 4 Yves Bashiya, 3 Martin Dreyer, 2 Clemen Lewis, 1 Stephanus Wessels.

Replacements: 16 Chadley Wenn, 17 Henri Boshoff, 18 Nicolai Lubbe, 19 Gareth Cilliers, 20 Dashton Wellman, 21 Ryno Conradie, 22 Wilneth Engelbrecht.

Referee: Ben Crouse

Limpopo Blue Bulls 27 Falcons 38

The Falcons scored six tries en route to their 27-38 victory over the Limpopo Blue Bulls at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane in their final Vodacom Cup North Section match on Saturday.

The Falcons held a comfortable 8-19 half-time lead and kept the pressure on in the second half as they ensured they finished the season with a well-deserved win.

The Leopards's hard-fought victory against the Welwitschias on Friday put paid to the Falcons's knockout aspirations while Limpopo finished their season firmly rooted to the foot of the table.

Scorers:

Limpopo Blue Bulls:

Tries: Truter, Matthews, Pienaar, Van Wyk

Cons: Beswick 2

Pen: Beswick

Falcons:

Tries: Hendricks 3, Olivier, Arends, Pretorius

Cons: Kotze 4

Teams:

Limpopo Blue Bulls: 15 Kobus Kotze, 14 Jurgen Lochner, 13 Andries Truter, 12 Sampie Hearn, 11 Fanie Raseroka, 10 Anton Beswick, 9 Cornelius Rautenbach, 8 Willem Engelbrecht, 7 Pieter Matthews, 6 Dwayne Pienaar, 5 Isak Deetlefs, 4 Tinus van Wyk (captain), 3 Heinrich Els, 2 Banie Boonzaaier, 1 Cornelius Greeff.

Replacements: 16 Derek Botha, 17 Anton Krynauw, 18 Marnus Erasmus, 19 Ethan Louw, 20 Sheldon van den Berg, 21 Dean Gordon, 22 Damiel Hart.

Falcons: 15 Jaun Kotze, 14 Kyle Hendricks, 13 Coert Cronje, 12 Andrew van Wyk, 11 Riaan Arends, 10 Jaco Oosthuizen, 9 Johan Pretorius, 8 Friedle Olivier, 7 Ernst Ladendorf, 6 JP Mostert (captain), 5 Jacques Alberts, 4 Shane Kirkwood, 3 Thulani Ngidi, 2 Dean Muir, 1 Andries Schutte.

Replacements: 16 Devlin Hope, 17 Katlego Kgame, 18 Marlyn Williams, 19 Sibongile Njomba, 20 Anrich Richter, 21 Willie Odendaal, 22 Waylon Thompson.

Referee: Oregopotse Rametsi

Final standings:

North Section (matches played, won and points): Golden Lions 7 7 33; Blue Bulls 7 6 29; Pumas 7 5 24; Leopards 7 4 20; Falcons 7 3 19; Griffons 7 2 11; Welwitschias 7 1 7; Limpopo Blue Bulls 7 0 1

South Section (matches played, won and points): Western Province 7 7 32; Griquas 7 6 28; Free State 7 4 22; SWD Eagles 7 4 20; EP Kings 7 3 17; Sharks 7 2 11; Border Bulldogs 7 1 6; Boland Cavaliers 7 1 5

Top scorers

85 - JC Roos (Pumas - two tries, 18 conversions, 13 penalties)

77 - Kobus Marais (Blue Bulls - two tries, 20 cons, nine pens)

74 - Elric van Vuuren (SWD Eagles - 13 cons, 16 pens)

63 - Jaun Kotze (Falcons - one try, 23 cons, four pens)

60 - Gouws Prinsloo (Griquas - 12 cons, 12 pens)