Currie Cup: Sharks see off Griffons, while Lions stun Western Province

Griffons 9-35 Sharks

The Sharks claimed a 35-9 win in the Currie Cup against the Griffons in Welkom on Friday.

It was not smooth sailing against a highly competitive side and the result flattered the Durbanites as they pulled away in the second half once the minnows were tired.

The Sharks got on the try column through Lionel Cronje, Yaw Penxe, Celimpilo Gumede, Nthuthuko Mchunu and Nevaldo Fleurs, while Griquas scrumhalf Jaywinn Juries slotted three penalties.

The Griffons showed they are definitely worthy of being in the Currie Cup first division with a plucky performance.Scorers:

For the Griffons: Pens: Juries 3

For the Sharks: Tries: Cronje, Penxe, Gumede, Mchunu, Nevaldo Cons: Cronje 5

Griffons: 15 Juan Pretorius, 14 Domenic Smit, 13 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 12 Jandre de Beer, 11 Randy Fielies, 10 Robbie Petzer, 9 Jaywinn Juries, 8 Sokuphumla Xakalashe, 7 Thomas Ongera, 6 Mitchell Carstens, 5 Michael Benadie, 4 Rian Olivier, 3 Doctor Booysen, 2 Hendrik van Schoor, 1 Xolani Jacobs. Replacements – from: 16 Dandre Delport, 17 Stephan de Jager, 18 Buhle Nojekwa, 19 Wikus Nieuwenhuis, 20 Curtly Thomas, 21 Thato Mavundla, 22 Keanu Vers, 23 Duren Hoffman, 24 Jared Kruger, 25 Jaco Willemse, 26 Richman Gora, 27 Jamba Ulengo, 28 Ethan Williams, 29 Marquit September, 30 Bennie Human.

Sharks: 15 Nevaldo Fleurs, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Murray Koster, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Marnus Potgieter, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Celimpilo Gumede, 7 James Venter, 6 Dylan Richardson, 5 Reniel Hugo (captain), 4 Ockie Barnard, 3 Ntuthukho Mchunu, 2 Dameon Venter, 1 Dian Bleuler. Replacements: 16 Fezokuhle Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Marco de Witt, 20 Vincent Tshituka, 21 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 22 Tiaan Fourie, 23 Aphelele Fassi.

Referee: Christopher Allison Local TMO: Ben Crouse

The Lions shocked Western Province 34-12 at Athlone Stadium on Friday.

The Lions got on the try column through Ruan Venter (2) and Edwill van der Merwe, while Zwelendaba Mnombo got WP's sole five-pointer apart from a Penalty Try.

The Lions proved to be more clinical today with a better conversion rate of points in their oppositions 22m.

It was a disrupted game with plenty of penalties but in the end, it was the Lions who were able to deal with the inclement conditions better and close the victory out.

Scorers

For Western Province: Try: Mnombo, Penalty Try. Con: Du Plessis.

For Lions: Tries: Venter (2), Van der Merwe (2). Cons: Nohamba (4). Pens: Nohamba (2).

Western Province: 15 Luke Burger, 14 Mnombo Zwelendaba, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Cornel Smit, 11 Tom Nel, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis (captain), 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Louw Nel, 7 Jarrod Taylor, 6 Junior Pokomela, 5 Connor Evans, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Siyabonga Ntubeni, 1 Kwenzo Blose. Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Corne Weilbach, 19 George van der Westhuizen, 20 Chad Solomon, 21 Thomas Bursey, 22 Jurie Matthee, 23 Lloyd Koster.

Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Boldwin Hansen, 13 Rynhardt Jonker, 12 Marius Louw (captain), 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Gianni Lombard, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Johannes Pretorius, 5 Darien-Lane Landsberg, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Asenathi Nthlabakanye, 2 Pieter Botha, 1 Ruan Dreyer. Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 Rhynhardt Runsburger, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Raynard Roets, 20 Ruhan Straeuli, 21 Morne van den Berg, 22 Andries Coetzee, 23 Tyler Bocks

Referee: AM Jacobs Local TMO: Aimee Barrett-Theron