Jaguares XV crush SWD Eagles

Argentina's Jaguares XV were once again a class above as they cruised to a crushing victory over the SWD Eagles while there were also good wins for the EP Elephants, Valke and Down Touch Griffons in Currie Cup First Division action on Saturday.

In Potchefstoom, the Jaguares XV juggernaut kept gathering momentum as they thrashed SWD Eagles 83-3 (halftime 38-3) in another one-sided fixture at Fanie du Toit Stadium.

The Jaguares XV were in control as they ran riot scoring 13 unanswered tries. They were too strong up front and their backs easily outdid their Eagles counterparts.

The top-of-the-table Jaguares, had been too strong for all their opponents in the competition winning all four of their clashes with bonus points heading into the match in Potch.

The Eagles knew they would be up against it even though they had only lost one of their four games. They were also aware that a loss would not be ideal in pursuit of the semis.

But they simply had no price on the day as right wing Bautista Delguy scored a hat-trick of tries with left wing Julian Domingiez and replacement Cruz Mallia grabbing two scores apiece.

Flyhalf Martin Elias kicked nine conversions in the game.

The only points for SWD Eagles came via a first half penalty by flyhalf Divan Nel.

Point-scorers:

Jaguares XV - Tries: Bautista Delguy (3), Julian Dominguez (2), Leonel Oviedo, Gonzalo Bertranou, Santiago Carreras, Nicolas Solveyra, Cruz Mallia (2), Damian Santacruz, Ignaco Calas; Conversions: Elias Martin (9)

SWD Eagles - Penalty: Divan Nel

In Worcester, flank Thabo Mabuza scored twice as the Valke beat Boland Cavaliers 31-17 (halftime 19-0) on a sunny day at Esselen Park.

Mabuza got the opening score of the match in the eighth and then added another in the first half as the Valke racked up a bonus-point victory with five tries.

The Valke and Cavaliers came into the game in second and third position on the standings respectively.

And with only the three pool rounds remaining, both knew a victory would edge them closer to claiming a berth in the semifinals.

Boland had been superb at home winning their previous two games against the Valke but on Saturday it was not to be.

The other try of the first half was scored by hooker Robey Leibrandt who crashed over for the Valke in the 12th minute. Scrumhalf Anrich Ricter added two conversions to see the visitors lead 19-0 after 20 minutes.

The home team subbed their whole front row after only 24 minutes and that stemmed the tide until halftime.

Replacement Wihan Jacobs then extended the Valke's lead with their fourth score while the Cavaliers finally got on the board in the 53rd minute when lock Adriaan Ludick crashed over.

Minutes later, Boland were at it again as fullback Gavern Skippers dotted down for flyhalf Garrick Mattheus to add the conversion.

But with 12 minutes remaining, replacement fullback Rodney Damons scored the fifth try for the Valke.

Boland managed to register a consolation five-pointer through left wing Valentino Wellman on the final whistle.

Point-scorers:

Boland Cavaliers - Tries: Adriaan Ludick, Gavern Skippers, Valentino Wellman; Conversions: Garrick Mattheus

Valke - Tries: Thabo Mabuza (2), Robey Leibrandt, Wihan Jacobs, Rodney Damons; Conversions: Anrich Ricter (2), Andre du Plessis

ELEPHANTS TRAMPLE BULLDOGS

In Mthatha, the EP Elephants notched a convincing 37-12 (10-12) victory over Border Bulldogs at an overcast Mthatha Stadium in the Eastern Cape.

The Bulldogs edged the play in the first half but EP scored six tries to two overall to clinch all five points on offer.

EP Elephants would have been the favourites to win the basement battle against their provincial neighbours despite the unfamiliar surroundings in Mthatha.

But the matches between these two have more often than not been closely-fought affairs in recent years. Saturday proved no different . . . but only in the first half.

The Elephants got off to a 10-0 lead through the first quarter thanks to a try by left wing Athi Mahinje and conversion and penalty from flyhalf Oliver Zono.

Border fought back tenaciously and were rewarded with five-pointers for right wing Leza Gcilitshane and Athenkosi Khethani. Fylhalf Aphiwe Stemele slotted a conversion on the halftime whistle for Border to lead 12-10.

But it was one-way traffic in second half as Border went scoreless and EP rattled up 27 points including tries by right wing Sphu Msutwana, centre Ivan du Plessis, hooker Mihlali Mpahli, Mahinje and replacement Wandilwe Putuma.

Point-scorers:

Border Bulldogs - Tries: Leza Gcilitschane, Athi Khethani; Conversions: Aphiwe Stemele

Eastern Province Elephants - Tries: Athi Mahinje (2), Sphu Msutwana, Ivan du Plessis, Mihlali Mpahli, Wandilwe Putuma; Conversions: Oliver Zono (2); Penalties: Oliver Zono

GRIFFONS' DOMINANCE OVER LEOPARDS CONTINUE

In Welkom, the Down Touch Griffons once again had the upper hand over the Leopards winning 47-28 (halftime28-7) in their encounter at a bright HT Pelatona Projects Stadium.

The home team ran in all of six tries to four while their centre Danrich Visagie enjoyed successful day with boot helping himself to 17 points through four conversions and three penalties.

The Griffons have dominated encounters against the Leopards in Welkom recently having won four in a row.

The added incentive for them was that they pitched up for the game occupying fourth position and that a victory would strengthen their playoffs charge.

And it was mission accomplished as left wing Allistair Mavundla, right wing Duncan van Vuuren, scrumhalf Ethan Williams (2), replacement Dominec Smit and replacement Chadley Wenn all scored tries.

The Leopards did manage three second-half scores but it was not enough to derail the Griffons.

Point-scorers:

Down Touch Griffons - Tries: Allistair Mavundla, Duncan van Vuuren, Ethan Williams (2), Dominec Smit, Chadley Wenn; Conversions: Danrich Visagie (4); Penalties: Danrich Visagie (3)

Leopards - Tries: Nkylyleko Mcuma, Tjaart Benade, Lungelo Gosa, Keagan Tait; Conversions: Chuinier van Rooyen (4)