By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@TheCurrieCup.
Suzuki Griquas and the Airlink Pumas were on the winning side in the weekend’s fourth-round SA Cup fixtures, while there were also solid wins for the Dotsure SWD Eagles, Toyota Cheetahs and a first of the season for the Leopards.
Griquas strengthened their charge toward a home semi-final and a prized berth in the Carling Currie Cup Premier Division with a commanding 71–7 victory over the Griffons in Kimberley on Saturday afternoon.
In George, SWD produced their best result of the campaign so far to clinch a deserving 33-24 win in handing the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers their first defeat of the season.
In Bloemfontein, the Cheetahs easily outclassed Eastern Province by 52-19 at Shimla Park as they bagged their second win in four starts, while the Leopards claimed their first win with a composed 31–14 victory over Border at Olen Park in Potchefstroom, in a clash between two sides desperate to break their winless run.
The Pumas wrapped the weekend’s action when they defeated Valke by 42-36 in their Sunday afternoon clash in Nelspruit.
The weekend’s results mean Griquas remain in pole position on 20 points, three clear of SWD and the Pumas (both on 17 points), while Boland fell to fourth on 15 points, two ahead of fourth-placed Cheetahs.
The leading quartet are followed by the Cheetahs on 12 points, Griffons (10), Valke (seven), Leopards (six), EP (two) and winless Border (0 points).
The teams will enjoy a welcome break this coming weekend, and when the action resumes, Griffons host the Toyota Cheetahs on 11 April in Welkom; Leopards welcome EP to Potchefstroom; the Dotsure SWD Eagles travel to in Kempton Park to face the Valke; Border face the Airlink Pumas in East London; and the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers and Suzuki Griquas clash in Wellington.
SA Cup Round 4 results
Griquas 71 Griffons 7
SWD Eagles 33 Boland Kavaliers 24
Cheetahs 52 Eastern Province 19
Leopards 31 Border Bulldogs 14
Pumas 42 Valke 36.