Griquas kept their unbeaten SA Cup record intact as they overcame the Pumas, while the Valke claimed a famous win against the Cheetahs.
A hard-fought 44-34 victory in Kimberley on Sunday afternoon cemented Griquas’ place at the top of the standings.
There were also crucial wins for the SWD Eagles and Boland Cavaliers, who both made up ground on the second-placed Pumas, while the Cheetahs’ semi-final hopes suffered a setback with a shock 43-36 defeat to the Valke in Kempton Park.
Griquas top the standing on 35 points, followed by Pumas (28), SWD (27), Boland and Cheetahs (both 25, with Boland ahead on points difference). They are followed by the Valke (19), Eastern Province (12), Griffons (11), Leopards (seven) and winless Border (zero).
The top four go through to the semi-finals and qualify for the Currie Cup Premier Division.
In Kimberley, Griquas led 19-15 at the break following tries from Tiaan Lange, Dylan Maart and Albert Liebenberg.
The Pumas remained in touch through first-half scores by Thomas Bursey and Jay Cee Nel.
The second half saw the momentum swing repeatedly. Nel’s second try briefly put the visitors ahead, but Griquas responded immediately through Carel van der Merwe and Caleb Abrahams.
Despite a stirring Pumas fightback, with tries from Tiaan de Klerk and Sango Xamlashe, George Whitehead’s accurate goal-kicking and a late try from Janco Uys finally sealed the win for the home side.
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Elsewhere, the SWD Eagles produced a clinical attacking display to defeat the Griffons 45-24 at Outeniqua Park.
The home side went into half-time 19-0 up and turned the screws after the break, running in four more tries while veteran Fred Zeilinga kept the scoreboard ticking over.
The Valke, meanwhile, caused a huge upset when they beat the Cheetahs in a thrilling encounter, overturning a half-time deficit to claim a memorable home victory.
The visitors were on top in the opening half and went into the break leading 24-14.
However, the Valke showed impressive resolve after the restart, with Sergio Stalmeester producing a masterclass off the tee and with ball in hand, crossing for two tries and adding four conversions as the home side swung momentum their way.
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At Olen Park on Friday night, the Boland Cavaliers powered to a convincing 33-12 victory over the Leopards.
Boland laid the platform in a dominant first half, going to the break with a 19-7 advantage.
The Cavaliers continued to dictate terms in the second half as they ensured they stayed in the playoff race.
In the Eastern Cape derby, EP were ruthless in their 71-14 victory over the Border Bulldogs at the Madibaz Stadium.
EP led 26-7 at half-time and ran riot in the second half, scoring 11 tries in total.
In next weekend’s penultimate round, on Saturday Griquas host SWD in Kimberley, the Valke welcome the Leopards, and EP travel to Welkom to take on the Griffons.
On Sunday, the Pumas host Boland and the Cheetahs are at Border.
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
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