Upbeat Elephants looking to make it three SA Cup wins on trot

With momentum and a new sense of confidence permeating through their ranks, the EP Elephants are hunting for a third consecutive SA Cup win when they face the high-riding Boland Cavaliers in Wellington on Saturday.

Victories over the Border Bulldogs and Griffons in their previous outings have raised morale in the EP camp ahead of a tough encounter against the promotion-chasing Cavaliers at the Boland Stadium (kickoff 3pm).

After slumping to four consecutive losses in their opening matches, EP have found a second wind and are on an upward trajectory ahead of the Currie Cup First Division season.

“The trip to face Boland is our final game in the competition, and a lot of confidence has been built up in the team during the course of the season,” EP coach Allister Coetzee said.

“I am rather excited at the upward trajectory of this team going into the Currie Cup, and there is a very positive mood in the camp.

“It was a pleasing performance from EP against the Griffons, where we had to grind our way towards a rare away win in Welkom.”

Though EP are out of the running for a top-four SA Cup finish and promotion to the Currie Premier Division, the Cavaliers still have an opportunity to snatch a berth in the top four.

It may not have been perfect, but an ugly 31-28 win over the Griffons enabled EP to continue their late-season revival in Welkom on Saturday, Elephants coach Allister Coetzee said. After thrashing the Border Bulldogs 71-14 in their previous outing, the Elephants had to dig deep before they were able to subdue the tenacious Purple People Eaters on their home ground. Though EP are out of the running for a top four SA Cup finish and promotion to the Currie Premier Division, Saturday’s win will give the Elephants a boost before the Currie Cup First Division kicks off. It was EP’s third win of the season, and they will be keen to end the season on a high note when they face the high-riding Boland Cavaliers in Wellington on Saturday. EP, who held a 24-14 halftime lead, produced a fighting second half showing to emerge with the spoils. The Elephants’ points came from wing Lwandile Maphuko (2), Diego Williams and a penalty try. Flyhalf Garth April booted three conversions and a penalty. “Having a win under the belt made the long bus trip home to Gqeberha from Welkom much more pleasant and seem a bit shorter,” Coetzee said. “I’m really proud of the players for pulling this one off. “It was not perfect, and I would describe it as an ugly win. “But it was a necessary win for the Elephants. “It is special in that we have not had a win here in Welkom in a long time.” Coetzee said EP had adapted well after some reshuffling of the team had been required. “Like I have been saying, there is big progress being made in this team despite the absence of centre Troy Delport, whose contract has ended. “Troy was our vice-captain and a mainstay in this EP side. “We had Liyema Matyolweni starting at 13, and he only played for 17 minutes before he had to be replaced because of a hamstring injury. “With all the reshuffling in the team, we adapted really well. “Considering the adversity EP faced, to pull this one off was really huge in the context of where we are going as a team. “Just getting over the line and grinding it out at altitude is another factor to consider. “Our discipline was outstanding, and the Griffons had two yellow cards in the game. “This shows how we have grown as a team this season.” Thanks to their win, EP are seventh on the 10-team log with 17 points from seven outings. Border’s miserable season continued when they slumped to an 87-5 loss to the Cheetahs at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium on Saturday. The Cheetahs ran in 13 tries and led 47-5 at the break. Wing Michael Annies scored four tries, Rewan Kruger and Louis van der Westhuizen each scored twice, while Cohen Jasper, Juan Smal, Sisonke Vumazonke, Ramon Uys and Tielman Nieuwoudt completed the rout. Border’s solitary try was scored by Mbasa Nkonki just before half-time. The Bulldogs play the Falcons in their final SA Cup game of the season at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium next week. Weekend fixtures: Friday: Cheetahs vs Griquas, Pumas vs Griffons. Saturday: Boland Cavaliers vs EP Elephants, SWD Eagles vs Leopards, and Border Bulldogs vs Falcons. Follow The Herald WhatsApp channel today and stay connected to the stories shaping our world. The Herald

In the win over the Griffons, EP’s points came from wing Lwandile Maphuko (2), Diego Williams and a penalty try.

Flyhalf Garth April booted three conversions and a penalty.

“It was special in that we have not had a win in Welkom in a long time,” Coetzee said.

“Considering the adversity EP have faced, to pull this one off was really huge in the context of where we are going as a team.

“Just getting over the line and grinding it out at altitude is another factor to consider.

“Our discipline was outstanding, and the Griffons had two yellow cards in the game.

“This shows how we have grown as a team this season.”

Thanks to their win, EP are seventh on the 10-team log, with 17 points from seven outings.

The Toyota Cheetahs are facing a make-or-break clash in their bid to gain Currie Cup Premier Division promotion in Bloemfontein on Friday.

Standing in their way are an unbeaten Suzuki Griquas outfit who have enjoyed dominance over the Free Staters in recent years.

With just one round of league games remaining, Griquas are way out in front with a full house of 40 log points, seven more than the second-placed Pumas.

The Cheetahs are third in the standings on 30, while Boland’s two bonus points from their defeat against the Pumas in Nelspruit kept them in semi-final contention in fourth on 27 points.

EP achieved their goal of putting the Border Bulldogs to bed in a potentially catastrophic banana skin match when they emerged emphatic 71-14 winners in an SA Cup rugby encounter, relieved Elephants coach Allister Coetzee said. It was EP’s second win of the season after seven rounds and has given them a boost ahead of their remaining matches against the Griffons and Boland Cavaliers. The Bulldogs, who have yet to register a point, remained rooted to the bottom of the log after a humiliating defeat at the Madibaz Stadium in Gqeberha against their arch-rivals. “The thing about this Border game is that when you put up a big score, people say it is expected,” Coetzee said. “If you lose it, then you are in big trouble, and it is a banana peel. “This was about EP and our growth and not about the opposition. “We knew this was the so-called Eastern Cape derby, and I said to the players it should not be this big derby thing. “No, because you trained right and the plan is right, so you must go and execute and put them to bed, and they did just that.” Coetzee said EP had to contend with major injury problems ahead of the clash. “In total we had eight starting players out,” he said. “We have depth in the squad, and the new players brought in an unbelievable energy and accuracy we have been striving to get all season. “EP want to play with accuracy, determination and a high tempo so we can determine the momentum in the game. “Against the Bulldogs our lineouts were outstanding as well as our mauling “There is a good mix with forwards and backs, and the guys coming off the bench did a hell of a lot of damage as well. There is growth which I can see. “We had a tough start to the season, and this is not an easy Border side to play against. “I think this is the biggest score EP has put on Border by far, and we also had all the injuries to contend with. “It shows this EP team has learnt resilience in that when they are down, they get back on the horse and come back. “That is a sign the guys are getting mature in certain aspects of the game.” Disappointed Border Bulldogs coach Dumisani Mhani said: “We are hurting after this loss. “We have to put our heads together and plan the way forward. “The Bulldogs lost to a better-organised team. “We have to pick ourselves up for the last two games and prepare for the Currie Cup First Division, which starts shortly. “If we are not positive, we won’t achieve anything.” EP, who led 26-7 at halftime, overpowered the Bulldogs with a strong second-half display of running rugby which carved open Border’s defence. The Bulldogs reduced the Elephants’ lead to 26-14 after 49 minutes before the floodgates opened with a torrent of tries. EP outscored Border by 11 tries to two on another difficult afternoon for the embattled side from KuGompo City. Scorers: EP Elephants 71: Tries: Mpho Ntsane (3), Kamvelihle Fatyela (3), Troy Delport (2), Richman Gora, Jaydon Bantom, Jac van der Walt. Conversions: Maxwell Klaaasen (3), Garth April (4), Troy Delport. Border Bulldogs 14: Tries: Simthembile Zozi (2). Conversions: Isiphe Mbini (2). Other scores: Griquas 44 Pumas 34, SWD Eagles 45 Griffons 24, Falcons 43 Cheetahs 36, Leopards 12 Boland Cavaliers 33. Log (all teams have played seven matches): Griquas 35, Pumas 28, SWD Eagles 27, Boland Cavaliers 25, Cheetahs 25, Falcons 19, EP Elephants 12, Griffons 11, Leopards 7, Border Bulldogs 0. Follow The Herald WhatsApp channel today and stay connected to the stories shaping our world. The Herald

The SWD Eagles are also on 27 but moved down to fifth due to an inferior points difference.

Griquas will finish at the top, while the defending champions, the Pumas, are also safe after their hard-fought 38-31 win against the Boland Cavaliers on Sunday.

While they remain well-placed heading into the final round-robin fixture, pressure is mounting on the Cheetahs.

Log (all teams have played eight matches): Griquas 40, Pumas 33, Cheetahs 30, Boland 27, SWD Eagles 27, Falcons 24, EP Elephants 17, Griffons 13, Leopards 9, Border Bulldogs 0

Fixtures: Friday: Cheetahs v Griquas, Pumas v Griffons. Saturday: Boland v EP Elephants, SWD Eagles v Leopards, Border Bulldogs v Falcons

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