Steyn hat-trick sinks Limpopo

Polokwane - A hat-trick from No 8 Nicky Steyn helped the Griffons make a winning start to the Vodacom Cup season as they thrashed Limpopo 50-14 in Polokwane on Saturday.

The Griffons crossed the whitewash on eight occasions, while flyhalf Louis Strydom weighed in with five conversions.

A solitary try from tighthead prop Bernard Groenewald was all the home fans had to cheer about in their debut appearance in the competition, although three penalties from flyhalf Bronwyn Craill added a degree of respectability to the scoreline.

The Griffons dominated the game from the outset, and Steyn scored the opening two tries inside seven minutes. Further tries from Colin Herbert, Shane Hancke and flank Martin Sithole meant they went into the break with a 31-6 lead and a bonus point in the bank.

The visitors crossed the line again shortly after half-time, before Limpopo claimed their only try of the day as Groenewald capped off a well-worked move in the 55th minute.

However, Steyn wasn't to be denied, and he completed his hat-trick eight minutes later.

Substitute Oshwill Nortje piled further misery on the hosts when he scored with one of his first touches of the ball in the final minute of play, and Strydom converted.

It was an assured display from an impressive Griffons side, while it was a baptism of fire for the Polokwane outfit.