Energetic EP bully Boland
Boland were on the board early but then EP kicked into gear to run away with the encounter. Sicelo Telo was in sublime form as he grabbed a brace with the boot of Riaan van Rensburg keeping the scoreboard ticking over.
A feature of EP's performance was their work rate on defence. Boland left it a little too late in the end.
Boland made a fast start and took the game to EP, pinning them inside their half for a lengthy period. The pressure eventually told when Caleb Dingaan went over to open the scoring. Anton du Toit converted to hand Boland a 7-0 lead after 5 minutes.
Boland made much of the early play and put EP under pressure, eventually told in 4th minute when Caleb Dingaan went over. Anton du Toit conversion, 7-0 after five mins. Riaan van Rensburg got EP on the board two minutes later when he split the uprights with a penalty.
Boland's lead was slashed to 7-3 after seven minutes. That lead was wiped out in the 11th minute when Ayabonga Matroos grabbed EP's first try. Van Rensburg could not convert though but the lead was 8-7.
Sicelo Tole extended EP's lead in the 16th minute when he rounded off a free flowing move. Van Rensburg found his range to ensure the conversion and a 15-7 lead. Tole grabbed his second in the 21st minute with an opportunistic effort.
Van Rensburg duly added the conversion to ensure a 22-7 lead. His boot was on fire at this point and added a further three points to his team's tally with another successful penalty. 25-7 after 25 minutes.
EP ended the half in full control as a Le-Kleu Stokes used his big frame to bash his way over. The try went unconverted but EP had a 30-7 lead at the break.
Despite under the pump, Border were the first on the board in the second half when Wayne Wilschut took full advantage of a van Rensburg mistake to dot down. Du Toit failed with the conversion but cut into EP's lead to trail 12-30 after 40 minutes.
After a lengthy tussle, characterised by bone-crunching tackles, EP grabbed their fifth try of the match in the 56th minute when Lubabalo Dobela showed his speed to dot down. Van Rensburg's conversion made it 37-12 with 14 minutes remaining in the match.
Boland responded in the 59th minute through a Michael Goodall try, with du Toit's successful conversion reducing the deficit to 19-37. They ensured a tense finish when James Mao-Cheia grabbed a 67th minute try. Du Toit converted to reduce the deficit to 26-37.
Boland had enough energy to score one final try with the final play of the game when Goodall went over for his second. Another du Toit conversion ended proceedings.
Scorers:
For Boland:
Tries: Caleb Dingaan, Wayne Wilschut, Michael Goodall 2, James Mao-Cheia
Cons: Anton du Toit 2
For Eastern Province:
Tries: Ayabonga Matroos, Sicelo Tole 2, Le-Kleu Stokes, Lubabalo Dobela
Cons: Riaan van Rensburg 3
Pens: Riaan van Rensburg 2
Teams:
Boland: Igne Erasmus, Henry Hagen, Gerrit Bester, Stiaan Basson, Jan-Ernst Terblanche, Michael Goodall, Albert Liebenberg (Captain), Charlie Gerber, Hannes van Zyl, Lloyd April, Shandrey Pietersen, Anton Du Toit, Berto Le Roux, Caleb Dingaan, James Mao-Cheia,Niel Burger, Kayden Kiewit, Cohen Kiewit, Jevan August, Charl Schoeman, Rick Jordaan, Wayne Wilschut, Keenan Williams.
Easten Province: Le-Kleu Stokes, Ruan Jonker, Roelof Roodt, Ruben le Roux, Donavan Stevens, William Duckit, Gregan Glover, Khewzi Mafu, Louis Strydom, Lubabalo Dobela, Ayabonga Matroos, Waqar Solaan, Sicelo Tole, Zukhanye Mafunda, Riaan van Rensburg, Viaan Wolmarans, Stefan van der Poel, Etienne Janeke, Zane Barnard, Tertius Groenewald, Keagan Tait, Aya Oliphant, Sihle Njezula.
Referee: Vusi Msibi
Assistant referees: Sindile Ngcese, Mpho Matsaung
TMO: Lourens van der Merwe