Away teams rule opening round of Currie Cup First Division

The Currie Cup First Division kicked off in exciting fashion for champions Sanlam Boland Kavaliers, Eastern Province Elephants and the Leopards, who were all victorious in their respective away games on Saturday.

Boland Kavaliers showed their mettle and intention to stage another successful campaign by beating Valke 46-32 at the Barnard Stadium in Kempton Park. The Kavaliers led 26-22 at the halftime break in this entertaining rematch of last season's final.

The Elephants had the better of Cape neighbours SWD and bagged a deserved 34-19 win in George, while Leopards had an equally good time on the road. The team from Potchefstroom had to work hard though for their close-fought 26-24 win over a determined Bulldogs outfit in East London.

Loose forward Godfrey Muzanargwo was everywhere for the Valke and he scored two of his team's four tries against the Boland Kavaliers. Fly half Sergio Stalmeester sent two conversions through the upright while he also slotted a penalty goal.

However, the Kavaliers hit back with right wing Duren Hoffman scoring a hat-trick of tries and outside centre Xavier Mitchell going over twice. Fullback Ashlon Davids contributed 14 points via four conversions and two penalties to help steer the team from Wellington to a good win.

In East London, Border delivered one of their best performances of the year so far and came to within a whisker of gaining their first win of the season when they went down 26-24 to the visiting Leopards at Police Park.

The men from Potchefstroom led 21-17 at halftime, however, they had to withstand a strong performance from the Bulldogs in the second stanza. The Leopards scored four tries and three conversions, while the Bulldogs replied with three tries and two conversions.

Border gained a penalty try in addition to the five pointers scored by Sakhekile Dingile (left wing) and replacement back utility Curwin Casper. Fly half Merlin du Plessis added conversion and a penalty goal.

Lock Mncedisi Dlwengu scored twice for the Leopards with prop Ruben du Plessis and fullback Andre Grobler also adding a try each. Fly half Charles Williams succeeded with three of the conversions.

Meanwhile, EP Elephants produced a superb display on the road to beat the hosts SWD Eagles 34-19 in their opening round clash at Outeniqua Park in George. The Elephants scored five tries in a commanding first half display to race into a 34-7 halftime advantage.

Although the Eagles improved after the break and clawed their way back with two tries and keeping EP scoreless, it was unfortunately not enough in this absorbing Eastern versus Southwestern Cape derby.

Fleet-footed fullback Jayden Bantom had an outstanding match for EP in the first half, using his pace and agility to score two tries, and showing his ability with the boot to land three conversions and a penalty goal.

Heinrich Roelfse (prop), Mpho Ntsane (right wing) and Rosco Syster (fullback) were the Eagles' scorers, with Marlo Weich (fly half) adding two conversions.

Next week EP face Boland Kavaliers at the Wolfson Stadium, SWD host Border in another home fixture at Outeniqua Park, while Leopards welcome Valke to Olën Park.

Scorers

Valke (22) 32, Sanlam Boland Kavaliers (26) 46

Valke - Tries: Godfrey Muzanargwo (2), Mosolwa Mafuma, Luciano Elias. Conversions: Sergio Stalmeester (2), Keagan Fortune. Penalty goals: Stalmeester, Fortune.
Boland Kavaliers - Duren Hoffman (3), Xavier Mitchell (2), Michael Benadie. Conversions: Ashlon Davids (4), Darian Hock. Penalty goals: Davids (2).

Phangela SWD Eagles (7) 19, Eastern Province (34) 34

EP Elephants - Tries: Temba Boltina, Stefan Willemse, Rodney Damons, Jayden Bantom. Conversions: Bantom (3). Penalty goal: Bantom.
Phangela SWD Eagles - Tries: Heinrich Roelfse, Mpho Ntsane, Rosco Syster. Conversions: Marlo Weich (2).

Border Bulldogs (17) 24, Leopards (21) 26

Border - Tries: Sakhekile Dingile, Curwin Casper, Penalty Try. Conversions: Merlin du Plessis, Wandile Mapuko. Penalty goal: Du Plessis
Leopards - Tries: Mncedisi Dlwengu (2), Andre Grobler, Ruben Du Plessis. Conversions: Charles Williams (3).

Currie Cup First Division Valke Sanlam Boland Kavaliers Leopards SWD Eagles Border Bulldogs Eastern Province

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