The Falcons would have come away from this weekend’s Vodacom Cup action full of self-belief as they charge towards a place in the final of the competition.
With the Blue Bulls beaten 31-8 by the Lions on Saturday, and the Falcons beating the Leopards 30-23 on Friday night to take second place on the log, it looks likely that the men from the East Rand will join the Wildebeest in this year’s final on May 20.
Not only are the Falcons (39) three points ahead of the Blue Bulls (36) at this stage, but they have also played one game less than the men from Pretoria.
It was once again a superb team effort from John Williams’s men as they scored four tries to claim all five points, shifting the onus on to the Blue Bulls to win their game on Saturday.
The Blue Bulls failed against a well-drilled and determined Lions side, who ran in three tries and were well backed up by flyhalf Quintin van Tonder, who kicked 16 points on the day.
The Wildebeest (44) reinforced their position atop the competition standings, although they are heavily indebted to Steve Meyer.
The flyhalf kicked a last-minute penalty as the men from KwaZulu-Natal sneaked in 11-9 against the Boland Cavaliers in Wellington.
The Wildebeest trailed 9-5 at half-time in the muddy conditions, but they showed resilience to continue a phenomenal run this season that has seen them lose just one game.
Saturday’s other game was a lob-sided affair as Western Province clicked into gear to annihilate the Eagles 70-15 in George. The visitors scored 11 tries, four of them by wing Egon Seconds.
The Free State Cheetahs continued their belated run of good form that has seen them win their past three games. They were convincing in beating the Mighty Elephants 42-31 in Port Elizabeth after leading 35-12 at half-time.
Griquas have also shown some improving form late in the season, stretching their unbeaten run to four games after beating the Griffons 41-6 in Kimberley. Flyhalf Zane Kirchner was the chief contributor for the defending champions with 14 points.
The Pumas had little trouble accounting for the Border Bulldogs, beating them 46-7 in Witbank. — Sapa