Only five unbeaten teams remain after two rounds of the Vodacom Cup, with Griquas setting the marker in the north section and the EP Kings ruling in the south.
While the Kings had to work hard for their 43-20 victory over Eastern Cape neighbours the Border Bulldogs on Friday, Griquas scored eight tries as they recorded their second big victory of the season, crushing the Griffons 55-10 to move comfortably to the top of the north section log.
There were close wins in Durban for Western Province (17-15 over the Sharks XV) and in Bredasdorp for the Boland Kavaliers, who beat the Free State XV 32-30 thanks to a 50-metre penalty goal by fullback Jacquin Jansen after the full-time hooter had sounded.
Province loose forward Reuben Johannes scored the only try of the match in the 55th minute in Durban, with the boot dominating for most of the encounter.
The defending champions from Argentina, the Pampas XV, had to work hard for their first victory of the season, defeating the SWD Eagles 34-30 in Stellenbosch.
Last year’s runners up, the Blue Bulls, are still without a win after they drew 19-19 with the Pumas in Nelspruit.
A late penalty by flyhalf JC Roos saw the Pumas draw level, and minutes later Bulls flyhalf Wesley Dunlop had the opportunity to win the game for his team, which he missed.
In Johannesburg, the Golden Lions scored nine tries in their convincing 59-29 victory over neighbours the Valke, with Ruan Combrinck and Anthony Volmink bagging a brace each. — Sapa