TUESDAY, 6.30PM:
VODACOM CUP winners Griqualand West continued their excellent run of form beating Ireland by 52-13 in a tour match played at Hoffe Park in Kimberley on Tuesday.
The Irish, who have now lost three games on the trot, will no doubt be somewhat under-confident when they meet the Springboks for the first of two Test matches in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
Griqualand-West, playing in an all-white strip and without the services of ace fly-half Gaffie du Toit, scored seven tries to Ireland’s two. Hooker Basil de Coning took over the kicking duties, kicking five conversions and a penalty.
Robert Markram stood in for Du Toit at flyhalf after replacement flyhalf Boeta Wessels withdrew from the side due to illness. Markram, traditionally a winger, performed admirably scoring a try. Both Griquas’ centres had a piece of the action, with Edrich Lubbe scoring one try and Lourens Venter dotting down twice.
Andre Vermeulen, Wayne October and Herman Bosman completed the tally for Griquas. October also converted two tries.
The Irish started poorly, and allowed Griquas to dominate proceedings completely. Anthoney Foley scored Ireland’s first try just before half-time, taking the half time score to 31-8.
In the second half the Irish started driving the ball with more authority, but struggled to break the Griquas defence. Conor O’Shea scored for the Irish in a half which saw Griquas coach Andre Markgraaff field virtually his entire bench.