Status Quo remains in Absa Currie Cup Premier Division
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The Barloworld Toyota Pumas and the Platinum Leopards survived the threat of relegation on Friday evening and will compete in next year’s Absa Currie Cup Premier Division.
At a sell-out Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, it was the Witbank side that stunned the hosts during their 46-28 victory in Port Elizabeth in the second-leg of the series of promotion/relegation matches between these sides.
The victory for the Barloworld Toyota Pumas also ensured that the contenders in South Africa’s premier rugby competition will remain unchanged next season, after the Platinum Leopards’ scored a dramatic last-minute bonus point at Outeniqua Park in George on Friday that prevented the SWD Eagles from advancing to the Premier Division despite a 32-28 victory.
The Kings, who held the Barloworld Toyota Pumas to a 36-36 draw in Witbank last weekend, were quickly out of the block in Port Elizabeth and held a slender 22-15 half time lead. However this game ultimately proved to be a step too far for the Port Elizabeth side who faded during the second half after the Witbank side shifted gear into attack.
The Mpumalanga side ran in nine tries thanks to the efforts of Christo le Roux (2), Andries Kruger, Corné Steenkamp, Dawie Steyn and Vainon Willis. Fullback Carl Bezuidenhout kicked two penalties and five conversions.
The Eastern Province Kings scored three tries that were scored by winger Wayne Stevens (2) and JJ Gagiano. Flyhalf Monty Dumond kicked three penalties and two conversions.
Meanwhile the Platinum Leopards retained their Absa Currie Cup Premier Division status in a sensational style at Outeniqua Park on Friday evening after they scored two tries in the final six minutes of the game to achieve a bonus point and edge the SWD Eagles on points’ difference during the series of promotion/ relegation games.
The Potchefstroom side were outplayed for most of the match but Walter Venter’s try in the final of minute of play ensured that his side achieved a bonus points for a defeat within seven points of the Eagles.
The SWD Eagles were in rampant form during most of the game and managed to score some exciting tries which came as a result of the George side employing an attacking brand of rugby. Henry Grimes, Hans Grobler, Jacques Engelbrecht, Shaun Raubenheimer and Jaco Terblanche scored tries for the hosts while kicked a penalty and two conversions.
The Platinum Leopards who needed only a solitary bonus point to remain in the Absa Currie Cup Premier Division ran in three tries at Outeniqua Park which was scored by RW Kember, Sarel Marais and Venter. Clayton Durand kicked three penalties and a conversion while Marais also added a conversion.
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