The Tafel Lager Griquas grabbed an empathic 49-17 win after running seven tries past the Sigma Lions in the Carling Currie Cup.
The Griquas always looked in control in Kimberley but found fifth gear in the second half to run away with a comfortable victory that saw them climb to the middle of the Currie Cup standings. Forwards and backs littered the try-scorers list, highlighting the free-flowing rugby put on display by the hosts in Kimberley off the back of a solid set piece.
After a tightly contested opening 10 minutes, the Griquas conceded a penalty at a ruck – allowing Lions flyhalf James Tedder to kick his first penalty of the afternoon.
The Griquas hit back a few minutes later as fullback Rynhardt Jonker provided the impetus for right wing Munier Hartzenberg to score in the corner. Griquas inside centre Zander du Plessis converted the opening try to give the hosts the lead midway through the first half.
Griquas looked to score from two separate attacking lineouts but both chances were denied by some dogged defence from the visitors through the middle stages of the first half.
Despite the best efforts of the Lions on defence, the Griquas would not be denied a second try after 15 minutes of sustained pressure in the 22. A quick tap saw the Griquas speed up play and scrumhalf Johan Mulder sniped around the resulting ruck to dot down under the posts. Du Plessis added the extras to hand the Griquas a 14-3 lead with halftime on the horizon.
The Lions immediately went on the attack from the restart and outside centre Manuel Rass made an incisive run before he was brought down with a high tackle. Griquas lock Derik Pretorius was shown a yellow card for the challenge but the hosts managed to hold out to halftime despite being a man down.
SECOND-HALF BLITZ
Former Tuks skipper and Varsity Cup winner Sango Xamlashe gave a reminder of his pedigree as he cut through the Lions line to score early in the second half. Du Plessis converted the outside centre’s try to build a 21-3 lead.
A bonus point was secured by the Griquas as replacement loosehead prop Kudzwai Dube crashed over the line after the hosts attacked from a scrum. The TMO confirmed the grounding of the ball and the lead was stretched to 28-3.
The Griquas began to run with real confidence from there as they worked their way back into the Lions’ 22. A number of phases saw the hosts fracture the visitors defence and lock Mzwanele Zito took advantage with a superb line that saw him cross the whitewash untouched. Du Plessis maintained his perfect record with the boot to make it 35-3.
The Lions managed to hit back a few minutes later, as replacement centre James Mollentze popped up to take a final pass and score after a linebreak. Tedder added the extras to make it 35-10.
The Griquas didn’t falter after conceding and continued to look to play running rugby in Kimberley. Some fantastic interplay between forwards and backs saw the hosts burst into the Griquas’ 22. Quick ball gave Jonker space down the blindside to score in the corner before Du Plessis’ conversion extended the lead to 42-10.
Tries continued to be scored at Tafel Lager Park as the Lions roared back into the Griquas half thanks to a linebreak from Mollentze. Tedder opted for a cross kick after the ball was recycled and found Divan Rossouw in space on the left wing, who handed the Lions their second converted try.
A smooth backline move from an attacking scrum took the Griquas just short of the try-line with four minutes to play. The hosts worked through a couple of phases, before blindside flank Hanru Sirgel crashed over the line with a determined carry that no doubt contributed to him walking away with the man of the match award.
The seventh try saw the Griquas wrap up a convincing 49-17 victory over the struggling Lions who continue to languish at the bottom of the Currie Cup table.
SCORES:
Griquas: Tries: Munier Hartzenberg, Johan Mulder, Sango Xamlashe, Kudzwai Dube, Mzwanele Zito, Rynhardt Jonker, Hanru Sirgel. Penalties: Conversions: Zander Du Plessis (7)
Lions: Tries: James Mollentze, Divan Rossouw. Penalties: James Tedder (1) Conversions: Tedder (2)