The Wildebeest produced another standout performance in this year’s Vodacom Cup when they beat Griquas 40-22 in Kimberley on Saturday. The men from KwaZulu-Natal have now gone four games unbeaten and have moved into sole second place on the competition log.
It was two of their finest young products who sparked the win. Scrumhalf Scott Mathie and utility back Scott Spedding both scored two tries, while the latter added two conversions and a penalty to his personal tally of 17 points.
Leading 30-7 at half-time, the Wildebeest were never under pressure and Cedric Mhize’s try signalled the end of any possible Griquas comeback.
The Kimberley men remain mid-table despite having lost their second game in a row at their home ground, Absa Park.
In Wellington, the Boland Cavaliers thrashed a hapless Eagles 76-22, with the pressure now well and truly on Eagles coach Phil Pretorius.
The Eagles have lost all five of their games this season and are cemented at the base of the log.
The game was still in the balance at half-time. But the Cavaliers, inspired by Stormers wing Jongi Nokwe — the 23-year old was part of a trio of players to score two tries — ran away with it in the second half.
Justin Peach was in awesome form, scoring twice and slotting seven conversions and four penalties for 36 points on the day.
The win enabled the Cavaliers to move safely away from the bottom of the log.
There was a shock in Welkom, where the high-flying Griffons were brought down to earth by the Mighty Elephants, who beat them 38-34 at the North West Stadium.
It ended a run of three unbeaten games for the Griffons, who saw their lead in this match disintegrate in the last 10 minutes of the game.
Noel de Villiers, the former Eastern Province Schools centre, scored a brace of tries for the visitors, while scrumhalf Chris Jonck had his kicking boots on, converting four penalties and three conversions. — Sapa