Both sides were in full control of their respective playoff matches and will deservedly play in the decider on Saturday in Kempton Park.
The Valke scored six tries – all of which were converted – and were awarded a penalty try as they beat the Leopards by 55-12 in Kempton Park, with Mbembe Payi bagging a brace.
Keagan Fortune and Sergio Stalmeester also kicked very well and ensured the scoreboard ticked over regularly, keeping the pressure on the visitors.
In Welkom, Buhle Nojekwa scored two of the Griffons’ seven tries, while Andrew Kota converted five and added a penalty goal to the home team’s total.
Where the Valke conceded only two tries, the Griffons conceded three, but they won’t mind too much about that as they are in the final and both teams will start from scratch next weekend.
The two sides’ last clash was in the opening round of the competition, when the Valke beat the Griffons by 36-26 in Welkom.
The Carling Currie Cup First Division Final will take place at Barnard Stadium in Kempton Park on Saturday, 26 July, with kick-off scheduled for 15h00.
Scorers:
Valke 55 (24) Leopards 12 (0)
Valke – Tries: Ezrick Alexander, Cohen Kiewit, Zingisa April, Mbembe Payi (2), Wernich Aucamp, Penalty Try. Conversions: Keagan Fortune (5), Sergio Stalmeester. Penalty goals: Fortune (2).
Leopards – Tries: Brandon Keevy, Lwandile Mapuko. Conversion: Shaun-Christian Baxter.
NovaVit Griffons 48 (31) Eastern Province 20 (13)
Griffons – Tries: Buhle Nojekwa (2), Lungi Mbiko, Calla Pienaar, Ulrich Stander, Kyle Cyster, Quan Eymann. Conversions: Andrew Kota (5). Penalty goal: Kota.
EP – Tries: Sherwin Slater, Rodney Damons, Mzwanele Zito. Conversion: Oliver Zono. Penalty goal: Zono.
