Share

Griquas seal top-flight spot

George - Griquas will play in the Currie Cup Premier Division this season after hammering the SWD Eagles 57-12 (half-time 31-0) in their qualifying match at Outeniqua Park on Saturday.

Griquas had to win with a four-try bonus point to ensure that they could not be caught by the Leopards, who were second on the log heading in to the final week of qualifying matches with their match kicking off half-an-hour later than the Griquas.

But the Griquas wrapped up the bonus-point try in the first half with eighthman No 8 Carel Greeff and hooker Ryno Barnes both scoring two tries.

Griquas opened their account in the 11th minute after a chip and chase from scrumhalf Tian Meyer with Barnes on hand to crash over after the ball had been recycled from a ruck.

The visitors grabbed their second try just five minutes later when Greeff muscled his way over for an unconverted score.

SWD seemed to have no answer to Griquas' pace and power and they conceded the third try, in the 28th minute, when outside centre Jonathan Francke broke from a ruck on the Eagles' 10-metre line to sprint clear for a converted try.

The Griquas wrapped up their place in this year's Currie Cup Premier Division in the 30th minute when right wing Ederies Arendse scooped up a loose ball before outstripping the cover defence to dot down in the corner to make the score 24-0.

Greeff collected his second try just before the break when he powered his way over after a scrum five metres from the SWD tryline.

Griquas needed just four minutes of the second half to resume their scoring when tighthead prop Maks van Dyk crashed over for a converted try after good work from flank Marnus Schoeman in the build-up.

The visitors continued their rampant run and they added further tries through Schoeman, Barnes, and Meyer with the Eagles managing two late tries through right wing Hentzwill Pedro and replacement loose forward Christo du Plessis.

Scorers:

SWD Eagles - Tries: Hentzwill Pedro, Christo du Plessis; Conversion: Elric van Vuuren.

Griquas - Tries: Ryno Barnes (2), Carel Greeff (2), Jonathan Francke, Ederies Arendse, Maks van Dyk, Marnus Schoeman, Tian Meyer; Conversions: Francois Brummer (2), Nico Scheepers (4).

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should the Proteas pick Faf du Plessis for the T20 World Cup in West Indies and the United States in June?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Faf still has a lot to give ...
67% - 869 votes
No! It's time to move on ...
33% - 425 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE